Congratulations, you’re now the proud parent of a homeschooler! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thanks to COVID-19, a huge chunk of parents are currently faced with the harsh reality that they are now expected to be their child’s primary teacher many amidst working full time\/trying to find a new job. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most of these parents have never been homeschooled and haven’t really considered what homeschooling would look like. They don’t know where to start or how they will even fit this change into their day. Also, if they’re like me, they also have quite the begrudging student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today though, they’re in luck. Today’s blog focus is on how to fit homeschooling into your schedule and how to help minimize the adjustment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefits Of Homeschooling<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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First, take your preconceived notions about homeschool and toss them out the window. Now, with a fresh outlook consider these benefits:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

• Homeschool doesn’t have to be an 8am-3pm, Monday through Friday endeavor. You fit it into your schedule at both you and your child’s pace.<\/li>
• Homeschool isn’t constrained to the same teaching methods that take place in a classroom. You can easily combine subjects that they are interested in while tying together new concepts that utilize their best method of learning.<\/li>
• Homeschooling doesn’t mean you have to stay home. You can easily take your lessons on the road and in nature to give both of you a break.<\/li>
• There are thousands of free and discounted resources readily available to you. Apps such as ABC Mouse and Elephant Learning<\/a>. Shops like Legacy Learning Academy are sending free daily downloads to do with your kids and have a discount code. Zoo’s have free live feeds, libraries are offering free digital books, and musicians are putting on free concerts. Teachers are putting daily videos up to help your kids feel connected. Also, bloggers like myself are providing free activites and resources for you to use at home.<\/li>
• You can stay in your pjs all day!<\/li>
• And ultimately the biggest benefit now, is that while you’re doing your part to flatten the curve, you’re also giving your child the opportunity to spend precious time with you, time that they otherwise wouldn’t recieve. This also gives us an opportunity to teach them important life skills, from washing dishes to baking to woodworking. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

  Homeschooling The Reluctant Homeschooler<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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  Many of us reluctant homeschooling parents also have reluctant homeschooling children. The sayings about how children always act worse for their parents exist for a reason. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

  The key to getting through this is simple. Lower your expectations. That’s right, lower them. No one expects you to be a 100% perfect teacher admist this chaos. It’s basically impossible to be parent, teacher, and your families financial support system without a few plates dropping. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

  <\/p>Something is going to give<\/em>.<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

  Give yourself some grace and get takeout when you know you’ll have a busy day. Let the messy house be messy for a few days. If you’re able, hire a house cleaner and leave for an outdoor picnic and hike for a few hours. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

  It’s okay to not be okay. It’s also okay to find what works well for your family and to politely tell anyone else off that tries to tell you that you’re not doing it right. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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