This post is from contributor Daniele Evans
I don’t think anyone intentionally sets out to stress their lives, but yet this is so often what we do!
As homeschool moms and keepers of our homes, who are also trying to be God-honoring wives, we have a lot on our plate. We need to grow in understanding of how we work best, learn to be efficient, and to manage our responsibilities well.
Is it possible to do this without adding extra chaos into our lives? I think so!
Here are a few things I’m learning and practicing these days in our homeschool:
Pace Yourself
Remember the story of the tortoise and the hare?
Starting off the school year, a project, or whatever with a BANG! and a fast pace can lead to extra stress for the kids – and for mom. There’s nothing to prove, so release yourself from any pressure.
One can have enthusiasm without racing to the finish line. Slow and steady wins the race!
Train Children to be Self-Directed
I think this could apply to helping with household tasks and also to completing some academic work.
Naturally, little ones are right in the middle of training time (and may not be as helpful!), but older elementary age and up can significantly ease stress by taking charge in areas.
This doesn’t mean leaving our kids to do everything on their own, but expecting increasing responsibility from children as they mature is helpful to the whole family.
They learn to be more independent and feel great about it, and mom’s workload is relieved.
Do What Works Now
I used to think our family needed to choose a homeschooling path we could adopt to the end of time — well, at least until the end of homeschooling!
Instead, I’ve learned it’s more important to have a working philosophy of what we believe about education in our home, but to allow TONS of room for exactly how this may look season to season.
I don’t need to repeat every year what worked before; there is room to evaluate again and make changes. Definitely during seasons of extra stress – a new baby, a move, facing serious upheaval in the home, etc. – is a time for easing up.
Practice Rest
This sort of has to do with the point above, but overall, Mom…you have to practice resting on a regular basis. This job of training and teaching children is rewarding work, but it is also sometimes hard work.
Our Creator intended for us to ease up our days by taking time to pause and refuel. The work is always waiting for us; it’s okay to step away for a time.
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You probably have a tip to share as well – go right ahead!
Latest posts by Daniele Evans (see all)
- 5 Tips for Decluttering Your Daily Routine {or, tips to help keep Mama sane} - January 24, 2018
- The Only Homeschool Room You Need is In Your Heart - October 15, 2015
- Homeschooling Mom, You Need Balcony People - October 3, 2013
- One BIG Mistake Christian Homeschoolers Should Avoid - September 6, 2013
- Ease Up Homeschool Stress - August 9, 2013
This was a wonderful post to start my day. Thank you.
You’re welcome Wendy. 🙂
Daniele – what a WORD I needed to hear!! Trying to get my house organized and ready to begin school and I get so anxious and frazzled to try and get it done all at once – I keep telling myself just complete the next task – what a difference for us in school this year to have to same attitude – slow and steady – just complete the next task – thank you for the encouragement!
Love that Sarah — yes, just do the next task. Step by step! Have an awesome start to your year. 🙂
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! We are embarking on year two of homeschooling, which is a 1st grader (we didn’t do formal kindergarten, but we worked at writing a bit, basic skills, and reading last year) and a 7th grader. Last year we were thrown into a world of confusing in January when my grandmother fell and had to be hospitalized, then put in a rehab facility, then a stroke gave her a set back and she came home needing 24 hour care. Soon after, we said our earthly goodbye to 3 other family members. It truly was an emotional time, and a time of uncertainty, because I was needed places other than home, and we still hadn’t found our groove for hs. This year, I made plans, and more plans, and wanted the year to be perfect. Week one — was ok, we had one long day for my 7th grader bc I had expectations that don’t fit his learning style or abilities. Lesson learned there. Week two — is this week. and we only successfully completed 3 days, and reading this article made me realize that my reason for only getting to 3 days (maybe closer to 4 for my 7th grader) was the fact that he mows with his father (side job) which occupied 2 days this week due to rain. And that is FINE! We are a home educating family. And, while he didn’t learn academics those days, he gained wisdom, undoubtedly from being with his father; and is learning life lessons. I have to let go of my expectations, because yes, I wear out myself and ultimately fail at a lot, since I’m a (recovering) perfectionist at heart and still have the urge at times to do it ALL perfectly. Again, thanks. And sorry for the LONG comment!
I have 2 1/2 year old twin girls. I am thinking a lot about school already, homeschooling in particular because I feel I have been called by God to homeschool my girls since before they were born. I love your site, since there is so much information out there now about homeschooling one can get overwhelmed. So help me make this simple and get organized. At what age, if not now, do I begin organized so-to-speak homeschool teaching? I have presented a montessori environment in my home for a year now, but know a spirit-led Christ-centered focus to my home and homeschooling is our path. My girls are bright and absorbing everything now, so I don’t want to miss out on opportunity. I haven’t wanted to rush them along to grow up either any more than on God’s timetable. Seems everyone wants to put children into montessori or childcare of some sort at such early ages. I am a stay-at-home mama Any ideas of curriculum, a few good books to read, preschool-type biblical material, scheduling, play, etc. that comes to mind would be so appreciated. Thanks for your faithfulness and this wonderful post today too!
Dee, I completely get the recovering perfectionist mindset. 🙂 This homeschooling work is hard work, and we need to be diligent. But, God is not calling us to perfection, but probably faithfulness instead?
Yes! I agree – your son gained much spending time working and being with his father. Homeschooling is much more than academics. Bless you and your family!
Hi Christina! May I encourage you that you are doing such a great job already? Your heart for your girls is a blessing.
I think if we as Moms are spirit-led and Christ-centered, whatever method (such as Montessori) can work alongside of our training and teaching our children. They will see God first as we lead them. If you’d like to begin a little more organized work sometime soon, I recommend Five in A Row. The focus is on reading quality literature and doing some activities to go alongside the book (naturally, you can pick and choose how much you will do or not). Activities could mix well with your Montessori focus.
I’ve personally used Five in a Row – here’s a link to my resources page: http://www.domesticserenity.org/five-in-a-row-fiar-planning-resources/ Grace and blessings!
Oh, and for young ones…there’s Before Five in a Row (for preschoolers)!