To all my new homeschooling friends, WELCOME!  Take a deep breath, it’s going to be okay.  First and foremost, remember God specifically designed your children for you.  You know them better than anyone else.  You have been loving, caring, and providing for your child since birth. 

I’ve been homeschooling for about 10 years and I know this journey well and you are not alone.  Reach out to your homeschooling friends and ask for advice and support.  I promise you they will come to your rescue because even though we have chosen to homeschool we know we can’t do it without a community of our peers by our side.  We don’t have all the answers, but we can encourage and pray with you.   

Here are a few of my tips to help you

–       Lean on God each day to use the patience and peace He has given you to lead your children well

–       Laugh.  A LOT.

–       Keep perspective and look at what you have accomplished over the week not just that day

–       You don’t need desks, do school at the kitchen table, outside, on the couch, upside down.

–       Play outside!

–       Establish a basic routine not a minute by minute routine (ex. wake up time, breakfast, school, lunch, unfinished school)

–       Your kids can entertain themselves – have books, art supplies, footballs, and toys readily available for their use

–       Help your child with a routine and staying on track but ultimately they need to be responsible for their schoolwork.

–       Utilize your new school uniform, pajamas!

–       Break your routine sometimes BECAUSE YOU CAN- watch a movie, go out for ice cream, walk around the block – enjoy this new freedom.

You will find homeschooling is as much a lifestyle choice as an educational model. Use this new time together to deepen your relationship with your children.  Even on the days I want to put my kids on the bus, I remember that God has gifted me this opportunity to pour truth and love into their developing hearts.  At this end of this disruption, your biggest success will be pointing them to Jesus.