by Natalie L. Komitsky
While the decision to homeschool may have given you a warm fuzzy feeling initially, all the effort you must put into planning and guiding your student will test the limits of your relationship at times. That’s okay, it’s only natural. Just like potty training and learning to use rollerblades, the ‘oops’ moments will bring a smile to your face while shaking your head in retrospect. To make sure that homeschooling enhances your family dynamics, let’s tackle some of the hot topics that many of us have learned to work around in order to keep the peace.
Procrastination - “In a minute,” “I will,” “Okay!” Does this sound familiar? Let’s face it, all of us would like to avoid tasks we don’t enjoy but most of us learn to get them over with so we can be free to do as we please. This discipline doesn’t develop overnight and it may take more than a firm discussion. If this is a problem in your home, you might want to keep your crew on a set schedule with gentle reminders as needed. In addition, you could offer incentives and rewards. Of course, there is always the possibility of withdrawing privileges if necessary.
Dislike of Curriculum - I hate this book! I wish I had a dollar for every time I have heard that. This is one reason that it is good to get your curriculum from eBay or used book sales. Not every educational resource is going to be a good fit for you and your family. Try to keep your eye on your learning objectives. Sometimes an adjustment in the number of exercises or the addition of a hands-on experiment can make other components more acceptable. Don’t worry though, if you end up having to replace your math book, there is most certainly another mom out there who is willing to pay you for the one you are discarding.
Goofing off – When you are homeschooling more than one child, you may find that the children distract each other when they are trying to focus. If you plan your schedule in a rotation such as giving an explanation of a lesson to one student who will then do practice problems while you give an explanation to another student. This can control everyone’s activity level a little bit. Other ways you could manage might include asking older students to work with younger siblings (reading stories, using flash cards, quizzing) or helping to prepare a meal while you are busy with the others, or even going outside to get some exercise. The bottom line is to pay close attention to the triggers of this unwanted behavior and plan some activity to replace downtime.
Loneliness - If your child had previously been in a school setting with 20 or more age-mates, you will no doubt hear some complaints about being at home alone. Well, despite the popular myth, I don’t believe that homeschool parents keep their children closed off from society. In fact, quite the opposite is true. You can find new ways for your child to interact with people that don’t involve school. The first place to look is your local parenting newspaper, or community newsletter. See if there are any homeschool playgroups in the area. If there aren’t, start one. Check out your local library, community centers, nature centers, parks and museums. They often have child-centered presentations and activities. Many communities also offer classes through the parks and recreation department. Check it out!
Disobedience - My family laughs a lot when I complain about my stubborn children, especially when I claim that I have no idea where they get it. It’s pretty obvious. Having a strong will is a good thing, though. It is needed for perseverance and many other qualities connected to success. However, when your child is looking at you and adamantly refusing to do what you want, you don’t really see it as an asset. If this is a problem for you, check out “Setting Limits with Your Strong-Willed Child: Eliminating Conflict by Establishing Clear, Firm, and Respectful Boundaries” by Robert J. MacKenzie Ed.D. The title says it all.
While these issues may affect you to varying degrees, I have one more tip to share; it’s my secret weapon. When my kids were having trouble staying on track, I created a homeschool game. I made a deck of cards for each subject with my printer and colored cardstock. On each card was three assignment options, each with a different value attached to it. The child could move ahead on the generic game board the number of spaces that corresponded to the assignment they chose. It was wildly successful and they still beg for it today. A little creativity can go a long way. We hope that these suggestions help you to keep peace in your loving homeschool family.
As a wordsmith, Natalie L. Komitsky optimizes the effectiveness of text to impact readers with substance and style through exceptional research, writing, editing, and project management. For more information, or to get in touch, visit: www.nkomitsky.com
While the decision to homeschool may have given you a warm fuzzy feeling initially, all the effort you must put into planning and guiding your student will test the limits of your relationship at times. That’s okay, it’s only natural. Just like potty training and learning to use rollerblades, the ‘oops’ moments will bring a smile to your face while shaking your head in retrospect. To make sure that homeschooling enhances your family dynamics, let’s tackle some of the hot topics that many of us have learned to work around in order to keep the peace.
Procrastination - “In a minute,” “I will,” “Okay!” Does this sound familiar? Let’s face it, all of us would like to avoid tasks we don’t enjoy but most of us learn to get them over with so we can be free to do as we please. This discipline doesn’t develop overnight and it may take more than a firm discussion. If this is a problem in your home, you might want to keep your crew on a set schedule with gentle reminders as needed. In addition, you could offer incentives and rewards. Of course, there is always the possibility of withdrawing privileges if necessary.
Dislike of Curriculum - I hate this book! I wish I had a dollar for every time I have heard that. This is one reason that it is good to get your curriculum from eBay or used book sales. Not every educational resource is going to be a good fit for you and your family. Try to keep your eye on your learning objectives. Sometimes an adjustment in the number of exercises or the addition of a hands-on experiment can make other components more acceptable. Don’t worry though, if you end up having to replace your math book, there is most certainly another mom out there who is willing to pay you for the one you are discarding.
Goofing off – When you are homeschooling more than one child, you may find that the children distract each other when they are trying to focus. If you plan your schedule in a rotation such as giving an explanation of a lesson to one student who will then do practice problems while you give an explanation to another student. This can control everyone’s activity level a little bit. Other ways you could manage might include asking older students to work with younger siblings (reading stories, using flash cards, quizzing) or helping to prepare a meal while you are busy with the others, or even going outside to get some exercise. The bottom line is to pay close attention to the triggers of this unwanted behavior and plan some activity to replace downtime.
Loneliness - If your child had previously been in a school setting with 20 or more age-mates, you will no doubt hear some complaints about being at home alone. Well, despite the popular myth, I don’t believe that homeschool parents keep their children closed off from society. In fact, quite the opposite is true. You can find new ways for your child to interact with people that don’t involve school. The first place to look is your local parenting newspaper, or community newsletter. See if there are any homeschool playgroups in the area. If there aren’t, start one. Check out your local library, community centers, nature centers, parks and museums. They often have child-centered presentations and activities. Many communities also offer classes through the parks and recreation department. Check it out!
Disobedience - My family laughs a lot when I complain about my stubborn children, especially when I claim that I have no idea where they get it. It’s pretty obvious. Having a strong will is a good thing, though. It is needed for perseverance and many other qualities connected to success. However, when your child is looking at you and adamantly refusing to do what you want, you don’t really see it as an asset. If this is a problem for you, check out “Setting Limits with Your Strong-Willed Child: Eliminating Conflict by Establishing Clear, Firm, and Respectful Boundaries” by Robert J. MacKenzie Ed.D. The title says it all.
While these issues may affect you to varying degrees, I have one more tip to share; it’s my secret weapon. When my kids were having trouble staying on track, I created a homeschool game. I made a deck of cards for each subject with my printer and colored cardstock. On each card was three assignment options, each with a different value attached to it. The child could move ahead on the generic game board the number of spaces that corresponded to the assignment they chose. It was wildly successful and they still beg for it today. A little creativity can go a long way. We hope that these suggestions help you to keep peace in your loving homeschool family.
As a wordsmith, Natalie L. Komitsky optimizes the effectiveness of text to impact readers with substance and style through exceptional research, writing, editing, and project management. For more information, or to get in touch, visit: www.nkomitsky.com
