Homeschooling through difficult times can be done. It’s not always easy but it’s possible. I actually believe that we should continue to homeschool our children but not necessarily the way that we were doing it before the crisis.
When a crisis hits your homeschool family it can take you on a rollercoaster ride of feeling hopeless, inadequate, overwhelmed, and full of doubts.
So we adjust things, we become flexible and evaluate our situation. Don’t forget..we have that freedom in homeschooling to customize a plan that works for our family.
Just like when a curriculum is not working for our child or our family as a whole… don’t we re-evaluate, change things up and do what’s best for our family during that time? It’s the same when crisis hits our home.
It’s actually more important that we stop and change things up so we can thrive even during a difficult time.
What Homeschooling Through a Difficult Time Looks Like
Homeschooling will look different when you are going through a difficult time and that’s okay.
It actually will look more like a life-schooling approach.
Let me explain….
Taking a life-schooling approach will look more like learning through experiences and learning important life skills. I’m not necessarily talking about learning how to cook, do laundry, etc. which are important skills to learn.
Those skills might even be developed when going through a difficult time but what I’m talking about is learning how to adjust, being flexible, coping skills, healthy way of grieving, growing as a person, growing in your faith, etc. learning skills that will help you thrive during any difficult time.
Homeschool Encouragement is Coming Your Way
Homeschool encouragement is something that we all need from time to time especially during a crisis. Many homeschool families are going through a crisis right now while they’re trying to homeschool their children.
I want to let you know you aren’t alone!
Homeschooling while dealing with the death of a loved one, chronic illness, a diagnosis, during a time of uncertainty or the loss of a job is definitely more difficult.
During that time you may question everything you do and don’t do and wonder if you can even continue to homeschool your children.
If you are in a difficult season right now and are continuing to push forward in order to provide your children with an education at home I want to say to you…. “You are doing an amazing job, sweet mama!”
We’ve all been through a crisis while homeschooling our children and know how overwhelming it can be.
You will learn quickly that homeschooling through any crisis will turn into a life schooling experience more than textbook schooling. It is at those difficult times that your family bond will grow stronger and will forever be treasured.
3 Things You Can Do to Continue to Homeschool Through a Difficult Time
I wanted to first share with you 3 things you can do to help your family thrive during the hard times.
Be Flexible
It’s important to be flexible so you can meet the needs of your family during a difficult time without feeling the strain and the pressure of needing to complete the daily lessons. Move things around in your schedule take as much time as you need. During a difficult time, it’s not time to rush through and try to get things back to normal right away.
If you need to grieve the loss of a loved one, heal after a miscarriage or prepare for a move across the country take the time that’s needed to do those things. Go through the emotions, pray together, read God’s Word, heal together as a family, and prepare together before moving forward to a normal routine.
Your family will appreciate it!
Grow as a family
Which leads me to the next thing. Growing together as a family is very beneficial. Because you are able to connect with your children and build a stronger relationship with them. It’s also the perfect time to answer any questions that your children may have about what’s happening.
Providing them a safe place to share their thoughts will help teach them not only how to cope with life stresses in a heathy way but it will also help them with their healing process.
Get Back into a Routine
After you re-evaluate and recognize that flexibility is your friend, you take time to grow together as a family during a difficult time, you can start to prepare to get your family back into their normal routine.
Getting back into a routine is very important. It will help everyone get settled back into their lives. Unfortunately, life still goes on regardless of the crisis your family just faced. So getting back into your normal routines could be helpful, comforting, and healing.
Plus children thrive in having routines. They know what to expect and there aren’t any surprises. They are able to go back to what they are familiar with, which helps in the healing process.
During this time you can start to homeschool again by adding one subject at a time or you can jump right back in with your full school schedule. Depending on how your family is doing as a whole, will determine if more time is needed or if everyone is ready to move forward.
Homeschooling Through Difficult Times: You Can Do This
So be encouraged and know that you are able, you know what’s best for your family and you can do this!
When a crisis comes knocking at your door make the decision to put away the curriculum and focus on the hearts of your children.
Focus on discipleship, character building, habit training, on your relationship with each other, and even pursued some of their passions. It will be the best decision you will ever make.
Life experience brings so much richness into our lives, so much growth, that we can learn so much without the need for any curriculums, textbooks, etc.
It will help you and your family learn how to handle the difficult times in a healthy and safe way.
