Homeschool doubt is something we all encounter as homeschooling parents. It’s normal to question whether you made the right decision to homeschool or whether you should continue to homeschool.
I will say it again. It is normal to have these feelings, sweet friend. So, what can you do about these feelings when you are going through a season of homeschool doubt?
Remember Your Why
Go back to the beginning. Why did you decide to homeschool your children in the first place? Sometimes we need to go back to square one.
For example, one of the reasons we decided to homeschool was because I didn’t feel like traditional schooling was meeting the needs of my ADHD child. Accommodations that I would have had to fight for are now normal everyday life for us.
Spend some time in reflection. Write out a list of your whys and put it in a place that’s visible to you during this season of homeschool doubt. Additionally, you can write out an encouraging quote or two to help you remember why you chose to homeschool. If you need some ideas – here are some examples:
- “No influence is so powerful as that of the mother.” Sarah Josepha Hale
- “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” Benjamin Franklin
- “Education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire.” William Butler Yeats
- “Children must be taught how to think, not what to think.” Margaret Mead
- “The most important work you and I will ever do is within the walls of your own home.” Harold B. Lee
- “Homeschooling is like crafting with glitter. It’s messy and scary but so worth it.” – Unknown
- “The education of a child is a work of love.” Maria Montessori
- “Talk to yourself like you would to someone you love.” Bréne Brown
Take a Break
One of my favorite things about homeschooling is the flexibility. Often, when we experience homeschool doubt, we feel burned out. It can happen so easily as we get lost in the routines of our daily life.
Take a break. Take a random day and declare it pajama and movie day. Spend a spontaneous day outside when the weather is unexpectedly beautiful. Furthermore, you have permission to pause your current curriculum plans and do a fun unit study instead. Chances are if you are feeling burned out, your children are too.
Taking a break also means taking care of yourself. I get it. Homeschooling is hard. This is why it is so important that we take care of ourselves mentally, physically, and spiritually.
Maybe get together with another homeschooling mom friend and trade off babysitting one morning a week. Maybe you start your day with a fun exercise routine or quiet devotion time. Whatever it is, make sure it fills your cup.
Set Some Goals
When we have the feeling that we don’t know what we are doing, homeschool doubt can really creep up. Another reason is when we feel ill-equipped to fulfill a specific aspect of homeschooling. This could be a school subject we find intimidating, personality clashes with our children, or our child has a special need that is overwhelming to us. These are normal and valid feelings.
When the overwhelm hits, it’s important to take a step back and set some goals. What do you want your homeschool to look and feel like? What can you adjust to achieve these goals? Write it all down and make a plan.
Involve Your Kids
I think every homeschool mom has had their child come to them and express interest in other schooling options. This can really contribute to homeschool doubt. It’s hard to hear these things from our children.
I would encourage you to have your children involved in the decisions around their homeschooling. Is a curriculum not working out or not meeting the expectations of your child? Are there opportunities to add some extracurriculars to the schedule? Does your child have a special interest they would like to explore more? Get your kids involved in these conversations. They will feel more secure and empowered in their education.
All in all, friend, I want you to know that homeschool doubt is common. You aren’t doing anything wrong or poorly by having these feelings. It just means you are human. We are all doing the best we can, and you are doing a great job!
