In case you didn’t know, homeschooling is hard. It’s hard knowing your the sole provider of your child’s education. It’s a juggling act of education, housework, parenting, and keeping your marriage thriving.
But we still do it because we know that it is what is best for our kids and our family. There are 5 things every homeschooling mama needs to stay sane through it all.
5 Things Every Homeschool Mom Needs
Support
We need support from our spouse, family, and friends. But we also need a support group of women who are going through the same challenges that we are faced with as homeschoolers. A homeschooling mama needs to find a homeschool co-op, homeschooling friends, or a homeschool support group on facebook to connect with and share our struggles and wins with.
Organization
We can’t homeschool effectively if books are scattered throughout the house and we’re looking under
beds trying to find them when we need them. A homeschooling mama needs a homeschool planner to keep her day and her year organized. We don’t have to have an immaculate schoolroom to educate our children but we do need a designated, organized space to keep our books and materials.
Encouragement
Who doesn’t need encouragement? There are so many doubts that we homeschooling mamas have. We need to hear that we are doing a great job and doing what is best for our kiddos. We need to know that all of our sacrifices and time spent on this isn’t in vain. Who don’t need a pat on the back once in a while?
“Your doing a great job with the kids.”
“Thank you for all you do for our family.”
“I’m so thankful your sacrificing your time to do this.”
Words like these go a long way in encouraging a homeschooling mama.
I love to get encouragement from Julie Boggart of Brave Writer on You Tube. She’s a homeschooling mama of 5 grown kids who has been there and done that.
Related: My Advice for New Homeschoolers
Sleep
When we don’t get enough sleep we can’t be our best for our kids. We’re cranky, impatient, and short tempered. Mix that with a kid who is the same and you’ve got a recipe for disaster.
Feelings get hurt, tears are shed (either by you or the kids), and learning is just not going to happen in this environment.
Go to bed at an early enough time you can get your recommended amount of sleep time in. If your up all night with the baby or a sick kid, sleep in and start your day a little later. Trust me, it may throw your schedule off, but you need it.
Related: 10 Mistakes Homeschool Moms Make
A Break
Last, but certainly not least. We need a break. We need to let our body and mind rest without having to take care of the needs of our kids.
Get out of the house and have a girls night with girlfriends.
Get the kids out of the house and binge watch a netflix show.
Lock yourself in your bedroom and spend 30 minutes alone with God. We need to be alone at times to rejuvenate our minds and spirit.
Related: Responding To Homeschool Critics in Your Family
Every woman is different, therefore our needs are different. These are just essentials for every woman. I hope this post encourages you to get out and take care of yourself and get what you need.
Do you have any needs I haven’t stated here? If so, leave a comment below!
