10 mistakes parents make and what to do differently
Learning how to homeschool your kids is a process — Photo courtesy of damircudic / E+
No matter where you are in your homeschool journey, one thing is for sure: You want to avoid those common pitfalls that can turn a rewarding experience into a frustrating one. As a former homeschooling mom who now offers coaching and consulting on home education, personalized learning, and the neuroscience of learning, I’ve seen it all. Here are 10 mistakes homeschooling parents often make and how you can do it differently.
Doing it alone
I’ll be honest: When I first started, I tried to do it all by myself. I thought I had to prove something, that asking for help would somehow mean I wasn’t up to the task. But, wow, was that a mistake! It wasn’t until I connected with other homeschooling parents and joined a few groups that I realized how much easier and more enjoyable this journey could be.
Solution: Don’t be afraid to seek out a community. Whether it’s a local homeschooling group, online forums, or even a few homeschooling friends, having people to share ideas, resources, and encouragement can make all the difference.
Being bound to your curriculum
Another big mistake I made was becoming too rigid with our curriculum. I had this idea that we had to stick to the plan no matter what. It wasn’t long before I realized that flexibility is key. If a particular lesson isn’t clicking, it’s OK to step back, take a break, or try a different approach.
Solution: Give yourself permission to be flexible. Listen to your kids and be willing to adapt when something isn’t working. Sometimes, all it takes is a little break or a change in perspective to turn a tough day around.
Over-scheduling
Oh, the excitement of filling our calendar with all the amazing activities! Art classes, sports, music lessons, social gatherings — you name it, we did it. But soon enough, we were all burning out. The constant rush from one activity to the next left us exhausted, and the joy of those spontaneous, creative learning moments was getting lost in the shuffle.
Solution: It’s OK to say no to some activities. Keep your schedule manageable with one or two extracurriculars at a time, so you can still have those precious moments of learning and connection at home.
Not giving students freedom to drive their learning
One of the things I love most about homeschooling is that it gives my kids the freedom to explore what really interests them. But I didn’t always allow enough room for that. I was so focused on sticking to our curriculum that I forgot to let my kids take the reins once in a while. When I finally did, I saw how much more motivated and engaged they became.
Solution: Let your kids have a say in their learning. Encourage them to dive into topics they’re passionate about and provide them with resources that cater to those interests. You might be surprised at how much they can achieve when they feel empowered to take the lead.
Going all online with elementary students
When learning how to homeschool, a best practice is balancing online learning with screen-free activities — Photo courtesy of Victor Manuel Mulero Ramirez / iStock Via Getty Images
There’s no denying the benefits of online education, but I learned that for younger kids, a fully online homeschool can be a bit much. Our little ones need a balance. Their brains thrive on tactile experiences. Mixing in workbooks, textbooks, and physical projects made all the difference.
Solution: Find an online program that blends digital learning with worktexts and plenty of hands-on activities. This way, your kids get the best of both worlds — engaging online content and the cognitive benefits of working with their hands.
Ignoring your children’s input
I’m a planner by nature, so when we started homeschooling, I had all sorts of ideas about how things should go. But it didn’t take long for me to realize that my kids had their own ideas too. When I started involving them in the planning process, I noticed a big difference in their engagement and enthusiasm.
Solution: Make homeschooling a two-way street. Set boundaries but give your kids some freedom within those boundaries. Listen to their ideas and involve them in decision-making. It can make a world of difference.
Having unrealistic expectations
I’ll admit I had some pretty unrealistic expectations in the beginning. I thought my kindergartener would be reading chapter books, and I expected my middle schooler to breeze through algebra. But that’s just not how learning works. It’s a process, and it doesn’t always go according to plan.
Solution: Keep your expectations realistic and be willing to adjust them as you go. Understand that progress isn’t always linear, and that’s OK. Focus on your child’s individual strengths and needs, and celebrate the small victories along the way.
Under-scheduling
While over-scheduling can be overwhelming, I’ve also found that under-scheduling can leave my kids feeling isolated and bored. Homeschooling gives us so much flexibility. Planning field trips, joining a local homeschooling group, and getting involved in community activities helped us take advantage of that freedom.
Solution: Make sure to include enough variety in your homeschooling schedule. Build a network of families to plan activities together, so your kids can have fun and learn with others.
Skipping breaks to shorten the day
It’s so tempting to skip breaks to get through the day faster, but I quickly learned that it’s not worth it. We all need those breaks to recharge! When we started taking regular breaks, I noticed a big improvement in our focus and mood — and we were finishing up much earlier!
Solution: Don’t skip the breaks. Schedule them into your day and stick to them, even when you’re tempted to push through. Use at least one of those breaks to do something fun.
Suffering from super mom syndrome
I’ll confess: There was a time when I tried to do it all. I wanted the perfect home, the perfect meals, and the perfect homeschool. But something had to give. Our house wasn’t always spotless and dinner wasn’t always gourmet, but I learned to be OK with that.
Solution: Let go of the need to be perfect. Focus on what really matters — your kids and their education. The rest will fall into place, and you’ll be a lot less stressed along the way.
