Inside: Balancing the circus act of homeschooling and the whirlwind of daily life can be as challenging as a Rubik’s cube for supermoms out there. But fear not, we’ve got five out-of-the-box life hacks ready to swoop in and save your day! This is PART I of the two-part series.
“How are you doing?” I ask Olivia and Sophia, my homeschool comrades in arms. We have about ten seconds together in the kitchen and a hundred things to say before a rowdy flock of our children will dash in. It’s a homeschool co-op day.
We’ve set up a cute science investigation station in a large and sunny family room down the hall, but the kitchen is, of course, an irresistible magnet.
Right on cue, the children charge in, whooping, pushing, and generally acting as healthy children should, with unconstrained young energy and not a care in the world. I need a snack. Mom! I’m thirsty. He pushed me. She took my book. Mom! Mom! Mom!
“Welcome to the jungle,” says Olivia. We giggle. We are homeschool moms. We know.
Homeschooling is one of the most challenging, demanding, and stressful undertakings on the planet. What other job demands your focus and attention 24 hours a day, 365 days a year? No sick days. No leaves of absence because you are having a major surgery or just gave birth to baby #2 or #5. No vacation days.
Ever.
It can also be one of the most fulfilling things you will ever do. It allows you to take the lead in educating your children and nurturing their individual interests, talents, and passions. It can bring a deep sense of purpose, fill your soul with meaning, and bring a sense of real and lasting connection to the entire family. The time we get to share with our children is precious and beautiful…most of the time.
The other times (let’s be real), it’s a wild jungle ride.
And like any jungle ride, you’re better off with a guide or at least an idea of what you’re getting yourself into. Because even though it might be fun to start your trip without a map and see how long you can play it by ear, sooner or later, you might find that your (homeschooling) journey has turned into a scene from Jumanji, with snakes out of the cage and lions roaring at the gates and the water pouring in!
So, let’s chat about how to juggle the myriad roles of a homeschooling parent without dropping any balls. Or, you know, feeling like you’ve spent all day being chased by a rhino.
The Only Easy Day was Yesterday…
When we began homeschooling fifteen years ago, I didn’t realize that being a teacher is just the tip of the iceberg for homeschool moms.
One of the unique challenges that homeschool moms face every day is the constant juggling of multiple roles.
As the primary educator of my children, I’m not only responsible for teaching various subjects (at multiple grade levels) but also take on the roles of event planner, field trip wrangler, mentor, homeschooling methods researcher, curriculum chooser, chores coordinator, cheerleader, and, of course, all-day short-order chef (because homeschool kids seem to display a constant need for food).
Did I mention that homeschool moms are also curriculum planners?
Schools get to hire curriculum experts who are uniquely equipped to plan and design learning paths, teaching strategies, and instructional materials for your kids. When you become a homeschool mom, that becomes your job (you just don’t get paid for it).
Over the years, I’ve spent countless hours researching and selecting educational materials that align with my children’s individual needs, passions, talents, and interests. I, of course, did it willingly. This careful planning ensures that my kids receive a well-rounded education that covers all necessary subjects as well as appeal to them. However, considering the spectrum of choices available, it can also be pretty stressful and time-consuming. I mean, have you looked online lately? The proliferation of homeschooling curriculums, materials, and philosophies is absolutely explosive.
Who called Dr. Phil?
And yet, there is more. Homeschool moms also take on the role of psychologist, providing 24-hour-a-day emotional support and guidance, helping our kids navigate conflict, stress, and doubt while often dealing with a fair amount of the same things ourselves.
If you didn’t have a good experience with your own caregivers when you were growing up, staying attuned to your children’s emotional well-being and addressing any challenges or concerns that arise can be pretty challenging. It requires lots of empathy, patience, and a deep understanding of your children’s unique personalities. It’s what we call “emotional labor” nowadays, and it can be very draining, I’m telling you!
Even though I have a background in cognitive psychology, most of what I know about bringing gentle and consistent attention to my kids’ emotional needs comes from on-the-job training. I’ll be honest, though, at times, it makes me feel like I’m stretched to the limit, and there’s just not enough of me to go around.
Who’s the Best influencer your child will ever have?
Last but not least, homeschool moms serve as mentors and role models, lovingly and gently guiding their children toward their brightest future and fostering a love for knowledge.
When I think about my unique position to tailor our lifestyle to my children’s interests and strengths, I feel powerful as well as overwhelmed. It’s an honor. It’s a huge responsibility. It’s exciting. My decisions literally have the power to change my kids’ lives.
For example, my oldest son wants to be a composer. I chose to fit all his academic learning snugly around his music lessons. He has twice-weekly cello, piano, guitar, and music composition lessons, plus two band practices. (He also has a Black Belt in Taekwondo, which means a few practices each week as well). This all requires a lot of driving, and it can be draining, but I chose to support him. That’s it.
Still not the whole story.
I know that encouraging a lifelong love for learning starts with my own behavior. Do my kids see me practicing what I preach? Do I read enough? Do I practice on the piano? Learn new things? Conquer my own limits? This mentorship role allows parents to nurture their children’s natural curiosity and passion for education through example, perhaps the most powerful tool a parent has.
…
The juggling act can be overwhelming at times, but homeschool moms embrace the challenge with open arms. They understand that they are not just teachers but a constant source of support, guidance, and role modeling for their children. By wearing these diverse hats with both commitment and joy, homeschool moms can create an incredibly nurturing and individualized educational environment that sets their children up for life.
I’m sure you’ve heard enough about the challenges by now, so let’s talk about solutions! I invite you to jump to PART II of this series.
[…] Inside: Balancing the circus act of homeschooling and the whirlwind of daily life can be as challenging as a Rubik’s cube for supermoms out there. But fear not, we’ve got five out-of-the-box life hacks ready to swoop in and save your day! This is PART II of the two-part series. Click here for Part I. […]