In a recent email with a young and exuberant homeschooling Mom, I was asked to share a few tips on how to finish the homeschool year strong. Completely humbled by her request, I pulled together 7 different things that help me fight the good fight and finish the race.
1. Start each morning with prayer and a devotional time in His Word. I NEED the Lord to give me the diligence to stick with the educational responsibility I’ve designated for each day. If I put my day’s tasks in His hands in a purposeful way I remain conscious of His presence all day. While I’m fully aware He never leaves me or forsakes me, it makes a difference for me to ask Him to specifically help me in my daily commitment of homeschooling my children.
2. Set specific hours for “school”. I need to set reasonable, yet specific, school hours. Two years go I scheduled school to start promptly at 7:30 am, but that showed itself to be an unreasonable hour for all of us. Now the school day begins at 9:00 am. The kids get up at 7:30 or 8:00 am, get their morning chores and breakfast out of the way, and by 9:00 am they are ready to go. If I’m not in the schoolroom at 9:00, they come looking for me; we all hold each other accountable. Starting school on time is a mutual goal for all of us so we can finish in a timely manner.
3. Have a 4 day school week! We do school Monday through Thursday. THIS HELPS ME TREMENDOUSLY! Knowing I am “off” on Friday to chill-out, watch movies with the kids, catch-up on work, go on field trips, etc…is a mental boon. Mondays are just better knowing I only have 4 days and a 3-day weekend is right around the corner.
4. Ask a loved one to pray for you daily. I ask Jeff to pray for me; sometimes he does this at night after a particularly rough day, sometimes in the morning before he walks out the door, sometimes on his way to work, at work, or wherever else God brings me to His mind. I tell Jeff what difficulties or praises I have for the day and keep him involved. Sometimes I get a text from him at work to let me know he just prayed or is praying. Just knowing my husband “has my back” is an encouragement. We’re in this together.
5. Schedule breaks! We ALWAYS break at 10:30 for a healthy snack. The kids know it is coming and when it arrives, we put down whatever we’re doing and break for about 15 minutes. This could mean going outside to run about, it could mean crashing on the couch and talking while we lick a peanut butter spoon, it could mean putting on a funny hat, but whatever it means, it is a BREAK. We need to move, laugh and chill-out and then we start back until lunch at noon. Breaks are absolutely integral to keep us from getting antsy, short-tempered or apathetic; breaks preserve the joy of homeschooling.
6. Give yourself room. You’re only one person. There are some days I just can’t manage, and that’s okay. If for whatever reason I can’t manage on a Tuesday, then I realize I need to make it up on a Friday. Knowing my Friday might get eaten up sometimes is as much motivation as I need, but other days I’m sick or tired, or just “sick and tired” and need a day off. Those days don’t always schedule themselves, so I roll with them on the rare occasions they arrive.
7. Set goals. Seriously. Set daily goals. Set weekly goals. Set monthly goals. Set semester goals. Have a start date and an end date and put them both on your yearly calendar for all to see. Goals set a pace. “Oops…we’re behind this week, need to catch up!” – if you catch up for the week, you won’t be behind for the month. If you stay on course through the months, you aren’t behind for the semester. It is the little goals that add up to accomplishing the great big hairy goal of making it through the entire school year in a steadfast, complete manner.
The 2010-2011 year is upon us. What will YOU do to make it the best?
What I do daily with my children is just one more way I hope to stand before the Lord one day and say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7
36 Comments
hi kooky
Thank you so much for this. Just what I needed as a newbie homeschooling mom (2 boys, ages 9 & 7, previously public-schooled). Love your blog. :)
The Wife of a Dairyman
Try to keep learning as fun as possible. It seems they learn so much better that way :)
OMSH
hi kooky – Thank you! Nice to have you here!
The Wife of a Dairy Man – Absolutely! So do I!! Imagine that. :)
Charli
We did Mon-Thurs. last year and looooved it. It just works so well for us too. I encourage any new homeschoolers I meet to try it out for themselves. I know several that take Fridays off too. Our schedule sounds much like yours, though we don’t start until closer to 10:30, then break for lunch, then clean up and play, then another half hour of whatever unit we are doing that day/week/month.
I love that you ask your husband to pray for you. It inspired me to put aside my laptop and say a prayer for my wonderful husband, so thank you. I think I will be requesting prayers from all of my family at the end of this month so our school year will start off on the right note.
OMSH
Charli – We’re just so blessed to be able to lift each other up in prayer that I ask at every opportunity! HA!
SAJ
I’m not even homeschooling and I found this helpful. Thanks, you.
Caroline
I’m also not a homeschooler but found this tremendously helpful. Especially, “Ask a loved one to pray for you daily” how often do we trick ourselves into believing that we have to do it All by ourselves?
Thanks
Schoenhut
This is a good 7 step daily program. I especially like step 7. I usually just set short term and long term goals so I’ll try setting daily, weekly and yearly goals. I’d add an 8th step though. I like to start and end my day with a prayer. :)
Kristin
Your blog is wonderful–it has definitely put homeschooling in a whole new light for me!
I love your rings–I’d like to get some with my kids’ names. Did you get these online?
jessica
Love, love, love this! I especially love that you told me to get the 4 day Core from Sonlight, doing that again this year, having Fridays off (or available for catch up) is wonderful.
Kay
I totally agree with the four day school week. We are new to homeschooling with a 10th grader and some of her online curriculum is set up for a four day week. It gives us that extra day to do a little study, catch up, or if we’ve gotten it all done, to just have free time. It’s a great incentive!
Setting goals is also very good. We are watching our plan closely each week so we don’t fall behind. A little behind doesn’t sound like much but it gets harder and harder to catch up. We’re working hard on that from the start.
Love your blog. I’ve found myself saying ‘oh my stinking heck’ when applicable too. : )
Mrs. Wilson
1. I love those rings.
2. You’re gorgeous.
3. Looks like you’re all set up! I hope you have a great homeschooling year. :)
OMSH
SAJ – You bet! :)
Caroline – So very true; the Lord has taught me time and time again I CANNOT do it on my alone – I don’t even try anymore!
Schoenhut – You know, that is a very good point. I do have my husband pray for me in the evenings at time, but I certainly do close out my day with a word of thanks and often, a request for help too. :)
Kristin – I purchased the rings a couple of years ago from a seller named Accessory a la Mode on Etsy. She is still active and I have LOVED my rings. They were very well made and she has much more i her shop I’ve drooled over. :)
Kay – Funny that, I catch myself saying “Oh my stinkin’ heck!” too! heh heh … I’m glad I’m brought to mind from time to time. :)
Mrs. Wilson – Love ya lady – you are always such an encouragement; thank you. :)
Jennifer
I think one thing lots of homeschooling moms might find comfort in is this fact: teachers in a traditional classroom mentally check out after Easter. Just ask one, if they are honest, they will tell you this is the case.
If I could add one more suggestion: Find a mom’s retreat if possible through your church or organize your own getaway in February or March. It provides that much need boost and dose of encouragement to see it through to May or June.
OMSH
Jennifer – Very good suggestion, thank you! We take a loooong Spring Break for this reason. Last year it was 3 weeks and previously, the kids go visit their Gram and Poppy for a couple of weeks.
It is a good break for all of us and brings us back ready to finish strong. :)
Tara
Happy to have found your blog. Encouraged by this post! Thanks for taking the time to write it. I’m wondering if I went to a four day week if I’d have time to write again :) Are your school days longer during those 4 days? I’d be curious to here how you fit it in. Maybe I need to adjust my expections.
Look forward to browsing your blog and reading more!
OMSH
Tara – Y’know the school days are only slightly affected. It means that we read a few more pages or do a bit more in each subject, but I wouldn’t guess it adds more than a half hour to each school day on the whole.
There are some books that are in the Sonlight 5 day program that are not included in the Sonlight 4 day program, but only 3 or 4.
Amy
Thank you for this post. We are returning to homeschooling on Monday and I’ve taken everything I read in your homeschool posts to heart. We even have blow up horses (Felicity chose them over the monkey) to hang in our school area.
MissCaron
LOVE this post! Just wonderful to know that so many people out there are doing such great things for their children that just cannot be given in a regular classroom. God bless you all!
jen
As always, your timing is perfect! We are starting school on Monday and I am kicking myself for not asking my husband to specifically pray for our schooling time each day. Hello??? Seems like a no-brainer yet I’ve completely missed it these past 3 years.
Cricket
Hi, just found your blog. Thank you for the 7 wonderful tips. Just wondering where others do their homeschooling. We are currently using the kitchen table, but it is such a hassle to clear it off for meals. I would love to have a separate room for school, but we do not have one at present. Any suggestions?
OMSH
Cricket – We aren’t “dining room” people so we turned the dining room into a school room. My 13 year old does school in her room now, but the two younger ones (10 and 7) work in the schoolroom with me at a big table.
shortmama
Since your kids are all at different stages, I wonder how you made it work when you had a toddler in the house? My oldest is 8 and my youngest will be 3 in December. With such a large gap in age between the two of them I cant very well teach them both. I realize I can have my younger daughter sit at the table and do some coloring and plan to work with her more on preschool type activities…but its hard to schedule a full school day not knowing how to keep the younger one busy. Currently my older girl is in public school but was homeschooled two years ago and I would really like to do it again and this time stick with it, Im just not sure how to make it work at this stage
jen
So many of these things we do or are trying diligently to implement, and yet is was so, so encouraging to see them all written out neat and tidy! Thank you!
Thank you also for the reminder that my husband is such a blessing, because he prays w/o me even asking! Sometimes I do ask, but usually not until the house is falling down right around my ears . . . he’s smarter than I and usually thinks to pray so that the house doesn’t fall down around my ears! :)
OMSH
shortmama – I responded to that at PW’s place, but we had a variety of things we did. We had 2 1/2 years and 3 years between each of my 3 kids.
I found the younger sibling wanted to be with us, so I set out math manipulatives for him/her to play with, I had crayons (once they weren’t eating them anymore), they sat in my lap for read alouds, they sometimes played quietly (and sometimes not so quietly) on the floor around us, and we did our major work when they napped.
I was consistent with nap time – 10:30 and 3:30. What we couldn’t accomplish at one, we’d finish up in the other.
My kids learned to be respectful and quiet when they needed to be, which has been a boon to our household now that I work from home and sometimes have conference calls, etc…where quiet is a necessity.
IT CAN work – I’ve done it and so have several other mommas. Keep asking the questions – there are some remarkable women who have homeschooled far longer than me!
jen – Strong, Godly men…what a blessing they are!
joyce:waddleeahchaa.com
Thanks so much for this post. I am going to pass it on to my sister and daughter who both homeschool. Have a great schooll year. P.S. I loved the idea of your husband praying for you and you sharing what he might specifically pray for. It makes you a team and you can each appreciate how hard you are each working to provide the best life possible for your children. God’s blessings on your family. :)
Traci
Thanks for all of these practical “nuggets” of information! I am about to start homeschooling my 5 yr old daughter this coming week. Being new to it all, I am soaking up EVERYTHING you have to offer as far as tips and tools to make it easier. Thank you, thank you, thank you! (And keep it coming!)
debbie
Wow! Heather, thank you so much for posting that picture of you wearing the rings! They look gorgeous on your finger! Thank you too for sharing my link!! Love creating them!! I am inspired by your home schooling. Wonderful job! ;)
Warmly,
Deb
@ accessoryalamode
kelliw
So encouraging – as you always are! Thank you for the reminders!!!
Annie
If I could send a big stinkin’ hug through the computer to you right now, I would.
As I face my first year homeschooling, your tips are helpful. But, mostly, it was great to be reminded that God has called us to this, and God will lead us. What a blessing and an honor to be able to homeschool my kiddos!
As always, enjoying your stuff both here and at PW’s place…
Love wins,
A
Grandma Debbie
You are awesome! I’m jealous of all of you who are starting a new homeschool year! Those were good times. My best wishes for a wonderful school year!
Goodnightsatchel
My husband asked me if I was okay when he heard the little moan I made when I saw your binder with the timetable. I am thinking we need a better schedule for this homeschool year (and lots of prayer – thanks for that reminder) to keep this mama sane. Thanks for the tips – I need to think about how we can get them going in this house. I know plenty others do it but I am a little terrified to balance homeschooling my 7, 5 and 4 year olds with busy little siblings demanding attention at the same time.
Your homeschool days sure look like fun – wish I could be a fly on the wall!
Mom2Seven
I am impressed that you can keep to a schedule. Of course, I plan on four days a week of school, and the fifth day is our catch-up day. With a toddler and preschooler underfoot begging for my attention, and five kids to school ranging from 1st grade through 10th, a set schedule is nearly impossible.
A simple checklist keeps us in line. I just list their workbooks, textbooks, and subjects across the top. They do all they can independently (very important when the preschooler and toddler just need Mom for a few hours during school time), and whenever they finish they are free until I am available. We make good use of nap time, too.
Perhaps someday I can actually schedule predictable breaks, but if we break in the middle of something, we may not get back to it at all as little ones become very needy. Our biggest break: P.E. “Let’s all go for a walk.”
Thanks for all your advice. I wish I could be so disciplined sometimes.
Angel in Tx
Heather, when you do 4 days a week do you still do 36 weeks of school?
Thanks for sharing your wonderful hs with us!
OMSH
Angel in Tx – Yep, I figured before that even with Spring Break, Christmas Break, and this and that, I have about 38 weeks.
BUT…that is not to say we haven’t lingered in one area for a while and ended up at week 34 at the end of the year.
I want to get through, but I won’t put a fire out that is burning for knowledge in a specific area either. :)
Heather
You know, you’re the only other homeschooler that I’ve run across that also does a 4 days per week schedule. I think it makes SO much sense! Schedules and scheduled breaks are also regular features in our day.
There are a lot of great suggestions here!
We ‘sweep the house’ when our morning isn’t going smoothly – not the floors, but behind the doors, under furniture, all the corners of the ceiling – anywhere that negative energy could accumulate. I sprinkle peppermint oil into a broom and we leave the door or a window open and ‘shoo’ distractions and bad attitudes and negativity outside. It makes the house smell delicious and get the kids up for a few minutes and lets us all re-focus so we can get some work done.
~h