Homeschooling on the Hard Days

When I began homeschooling, I had a picture in my mind of how it would be.
~Reading aloud on the couch.
~Taking daily nature walks.
~Sweet smiles.
~Daily work done by noon.
Some days are like that. Other days are just hard. We’ve had a lot of hard days at our house in the past couple years. Today, I want to share some strategies I use when homeschooling on the hard days.

Tips for Homeschooling on the Hard Days

• Laugh! One of the best ways to get through the hard days is to laugh. Laughter can create a total mindset shift for you and your children. Here are some of the things that get us laughing. (Preview before showing these to the kids. They’re not all child-appropriate.)
  • Blimey Cow – especially their Messy Mondays videos
  • Tim Hawkins
  • Alexa on our Echo Dot (We ask her for knock-knock jokes, dad jokes, kid jokes, mom jokes…)
• Dance. Turn up the music and have a dance party! Here are our favorite songs to dance to.
  • “Okay” by the Piano Guys – this one is ESPECIALLY good for the hard days!
  • “Let it Go” – Yes, I know…but it’s so fun to sing and dance to!
  • Pretty much anything else by the Piano Guys
• Play a game. Games can be a great way to learn, so this one is a win/win. Have some fun while continuing to learn. Here are a few of our favorite games that promote learning.
  • Ticket to Ride
  • Syzygy
  • Farkle

Ways to Make the Hard Days Easier

• Make something. Sometimes stepping back from the books and creating something with your hands is exactly what is needed to give your day a fresh start. Do a craft with the kids. Bake muffins. Get out a coloring book for the kids and one for yourself. Being creative switches your brain from one mode to another and can be very refreshing.
• Get outside. Fresh air can stimulate you and give you a new perspective. Whether you take a walk or just sit outside while your kids play, it can be a great way to get through homeschooling on the hard days. There are many, many days that we take our school outside to the front porch and work in the warmth of the sunshine.
• Take a nap. Naps aren’t just for kids! If you’re really struggling, take some time after lunch for everyone to lie down and rest. Close your eyes and rest yourself. You’ll wake up feeling refreshed and ready to start anew.
• Get out of the house. This is a go-to for our family on the hard days. Getting out of the house can help change your perspective. Here are a few of our favorite spots to homeschool outside of the home.
  • The park
  • Chick-fil-A
  • The zoo
  • The library
  • A walking trail
  • A local nature center

More Tips for those Hard Days

• Push through. I hate to include this one because honestly, it’s no fun. But it’s essential. There are going to be hard days and there are going to be days when none of the above suggestions are options for one reason or another. On those days, push through. Get through that curriculum and then start fresh the next day. Here are some things that really help me push through when I just Don’t. Want. To.
  • Shut down the social media
  • Make a list and check things off as you go
  • Open the windows, but keep working
  • Work through meals so you get things done faster
• Take a step back and get some perspective. This is another hard one to think about, but it’s truly one of the things that helps me most. Here are some things I think about that help me remember to count my blessings.
  • Mothers who would give anything to homeschool, but their husband won’t allow it
  • Mothers who would love to even have children, but can’t
  • Children whose mothers have gone on to be with Jesus
  • Children in other countries who don’t have an opportunity for education
• Pray. This list went from lighthearted to serious, but I also saved the most important for last. The number one thing that will help you with homeschooling on the hard days is prayer. Go into your closet (or your bathroom) and cry out to Jesus. He’s there and will answer every single time. Pray with your children and your husband as well for strength, patience, and wisdom. Your children will respect you for it and it will help them learn where to gather strength of their own.

I hope I’ve given you some real strategies to use when things get tough. I know that I’ve used many of these on multiple occasions. Look to Jesus and remember to give yourself grace when homeschooling on the hard days.