Homeschooling your kids has many challenges that most people don’t foresee when they decide to do it. At least, I didn’t see them as issues that would be there. I knew I would have reigned in my patience. I was prepared for long hours of educating my kids. I was even prepared for some issues of keeping the kids interested in learning lessons. Yet, I failed to be prepared for the simple things.
The Housework Issue
The housework issue was pretty easy to manage. All I had to do was assign tasks to everyone in the house. We ALL pitch in to keep our house in order. From the youngest to the oldest, we all have our chores to do. Granted, you can NOT eat off of our floors. You will see dust mites in our home if you stop by unannounced. You will see toys all over my house throughout the day. Shoot, you may even see dirty clothes all throughout my home on some days because our week’s workload was so intense we had to do laundry on one given day instead of two loads a day. However, our home is always presentable enough that we don’t look like we live in a dump or a hoarder’s home.
Meal Issues
This one has become an adventure, to say the least. I try, and I mean try to plan out meals. However, there is something about having a meal planned out that by the time it’s time to eat the meal… it just feels like I’ve eaten it at least ten times over. Then I don’t want it.
The kids LOVE learning how to cook. They are always willing to learn how to cook. They soak it up! The older they get, the more they can help; I appreciate it. Therefore, I’m blessed that I don’t have to do nearly as much cooking anymore.
The Interruptions
My mother-in-law, bless her heart, has tried hard not to come over anymore during school hours. Of course, now I have to figure out a new schedule that is going to work better for us again, but I’m confident she’ll continue to try to stay away during those hours. It has made a difference not having her pop in and out all day. The kids would lose their focus and have to do their work repeatedly.
Del doesn’t pop in as much, and even if he does, he doesn’t expect us to stop working. He’s made it clear to the kids that they are supposed to focus on their work all day long until they are done. When the kids do focus, they do tend to get their work done in a very timely manner.
We also try to schedule our errands to be done in the morning if possible. That way, we can be done with them by at least 12 pm to dig into our school work with a vengeance after lunch. I love the interaction with the outside world when we go into town. I forgot how much it made a difference in my mood while Del worked outside the home.
Internet Issues
Going online to get the kids’ curriculum is sometimes difficult with a sporadic internet connection. Not having reliable internet reduces the kids’ productivity; they have to wait hours to download larger files. I’ve decided to remedy this and looked into cox internet plans for a faster connection to the internet. This should help save a lot of time.
Despite All of That
We love homeschooling. We wouldn’t trade it for anything. Our kids learn life lessons instead of just what is in a textbook. The joy of it is they see both parents working from home and that they have to work hard to have anything in life.
What are some challenges you face as a homeschooling family?
I can imagine that there is a lot you have to figure out, but it sounds like y’all have a great system that is really working for you! :)-Ashley
Ashley,
It is an adjustment almost daily concerning getting all of the school work done with the kids. Not to mention, my own work from home. However, we always manage to do it and still plenty of time on our hands for other things. It’s rather amazing how it always happens that way. I start my day wondering how it’s all going to get done and go bed each night in total amazement over what we get done in a day. 😉 It’s a remarkable feeling!
I work from home, too and have trouble getting family members to understand. I’ve left notes on my door.
Cristin,
I totally get what you mean!! We made a big huge sign that even the delivery drivers paid attention too. The delivery drivers would quietly deliver my packages at the door. They were more considerate of the sign than others.
We gain lots of interruptions from family throughout the day. The older generations do not grasp how much a person can work from home and earn a living! They also seem to forget that kids do need time without interruptions to get their work done too!
So true! Maybe it we put our family to work they’d get the hint. ha, ha
My parents took their time to finally comprehend how little time I have. I couldn’t get any work done due to their constant visits! So I know how you feel gals! Sometimes it’s important to just get through the day. You have to put all your New Year goals aside when you are fighting for 15 minutes of piece 🙂
Oh yea, that 15 minutes of peace is such a treasure! I literally take my dog for a nice little quarter mile walk as often as possible to escape it all.
We are not homeschooling. It may happen down the line, I’m not sure. I’m glad you are able to manage the issues and stay on task though.
If it does happen, I’m sure you’ll love it in the long run. Homeschooling grows on you after you get a system that works for you.
I no longer homeschool my child, but when I did, we ended up with a lot of free time. Trying to figure out what to do with the extra time for her was a challenge.
We end up with a lot of free time when the kids are really wanting to get their school work out of the way. However, they are never bored by any means. They are overly spoiled in my book.
The current thing I’m facing is my daughter entering her teen years. All of a sudden, our whole routine needs to change because her learning style is totally different… I can totally relate to the other items though and try to warn new homeschooling families about them 🙂
TerriAnn,
I actually was training to teach high school topics. I wanted to be a Secondary Education teacher. I love working with teenagers. Especially those who want to excel, but can’t figure out how to get interested in the topics anymore. It’s so much harder to stay focused at that age I think than it is for a younger child. Of course, I’m probably odd for thinking that way.
I have been thinking about homeschooling my kids for the next few years Now you’ve given me more to think about!
Wendy,
If you want to homeschool your kids I say jump on this bandwagon. It’s such a blessing and the good far out weighs the bad any day of the week. My kids and I both will tell you that wholeheartedly! The mere thought of my kids having to go to public/private school tends to get my kids back in line in mere seconds. They love it that much!
I understand this so much, as a full time work from home mom, its so tough to plan everything out.. housework.. dont even get me started…
I think housework takes a back seat more when you’re at home working because you know you can earn that extra buck verses sweeping a floor that may have been swept yesterday that can wait another day. Especially when you know you have boys, dog, and a hubby going in and out all day long on it. 🙂 We wouldn’t trade our lives to be behind a corporate desk that’s for sure.
Yeah, unfortunately my home desk is also doubles as a corporate desk. I have a full time job for a company that I work from home, and my OTHER work from home job 🙂 Needless to say, things wait several days around here lol
This is a great post! I think a lot of people don’t consider all the challenges aside from the actual teaching. It’s many of the same challenges people face working from home when they have children with them.
This is true Karen, we all do face it when we work from home with children. I didn’t think about these issues when we took on this adventure. I didn’t start working from home until I started homeschooling. It’s been quite the adventure the past three years. With each passing year, it just gets better. 🙂
Crystal I have such respect for you and all of the other homeschoolers. I wish I could do this but with two on the spectrum they just need more than I know how to do.
I understand the spectrum stuff. I’m unsure how I’ll handle it if I run into that issue with my little one. However, all things are possible with God’s help. I don’t have any trust in our local school systems around here at all.
It seems like you have a great system to support homeschooling. It is great that everyone helps with all the chores.
I do have a wonderful husband that is totally utterly behind us homeschooling our kids and he won’t have it any other way. I love the fact that he helps keep everything in order with me.
We face the same things you do but now we add that I work from home on top of it. Thankfully, my husband is here to help while he’s unemployed. It’s nice to be able to tag team with him.
My husband and I both work from home so it’s definitely a huge juggle for us having to keep the three kids in line. We have to get their school work done and then life. 🙂 It’s fun, but definitely can be stressful on some days.
As a mom who has considered homeschooling I reall enjoyed reading this! Thanks for the post!
I always had to work outside the home when my children were growing up. I was divorced when the oldest was 5 and the youngest was 2. I would have loved to have gotten to stay home with them and teach them myself. It sounds to me like you know what you need to do, and are working hard to make it happen.
Good post. You’ve voiced most of the same issues I faced over the years in my home. I’m wrapping up my final year of homeschooling my last child and it has certainly been a good adventure. I guess we could all write a book 🙂
We definitely could. This year right now has been actually the worse I’ve deal with concerning my kids. However, it’s also been the wildest ride so far trying to juggle so much. I’m trying to get my oldest ready for his big PASS testing in a couple of weeks, and it’s like pulling teeth. I fear his final results for this year. Yet, everyone around us knows it’s not his or my fault, it’s just life!
Grocery shopping. This is my biggest conundrum. Bring everyone along and feel rushed and frantic, or leave some big ones home and feel rushed and frantic trying to get back to them? So far I’m making it work… Somewhat frantically.
I completely understand that situation! I deal with the same issue with my own kids. I finally have learned the fine art of getting up earlier than my kids and going shopping while they are asleep and my husband is home.
Thank you for stopping by and commenting. I hope to see you again soon.
I’ve been contemplating the possibility of homeschooling, at least for Pre-K – thanks for helping me get a well-rounded view of this option!