Whether you are homeschooling out of choice or necessity, there is no doubt it can be stressful. You may go into it full of enthusiasm and with plans to be a fun, creative teacher, but it can take time to settle into a routine and get the most out of homeschooling. It can also be a stressful endeavor, even for the most patient of moms, so here are some ways you can cope with homeschooling stress during those tough times. 

Draw up a schedule

If you’ve got to balance homeschooling with housework and perhaps even your own work, then a schedule is key to ensuring you can fit everything in. Draw up a schedule so you can work out when to teach certain subjects, when to have breaks, and when you can get your own stuff done. This also makes homeschool more like attending a regular school for your kids, so they are more likely to focus on the task at hand.

Use online materials as well as your own

Unless you love coming up with lesson plans, you should consider using educational resources rather than trying to teach everything from scratch. Most people have strengths and weaknesses, so if subjects such as math, science or English just aren’t your strong point, consider letting your kids take an online course instead. You download the materials and let the kids get on with it, so you get some free time and reduce your stress levels.

Find natural ways to cope with stress

It’s important that if you’ve been homeschooling the kids all day, that you have some time to yourself at night to unwind. Look for some natural ways to cope with stress, rather than turning to wine, as this will be better for your body.

Get out the house when you can

Homeschooling doesn’t have to take place just at home. In fact, it’s a good opportunity to teach kids about the world around them. Getting out and about will take some of the pressure off you, and some things you could consider doing include:

  • Woodland walks to learn about nature
  • A trip to the beach to learn about the ocean
  • Field trips to museums and art galleries
  • Going on vacations – homeschooling gives you flexibility on vacation dates, so why not take the kids overseas to learn about a different culture?

Connect with other homeschooling parents

A problem shared is a problem halved, so if homeschooling is wearing you out, why not chat to some other parents going through the same thing? Most areas have a homeschooling group for parents, many of which have a Facebook page where you can share your frustrations, chat to other parents and guide each other towards resources. You could even arrange for the kids to meet up, so they can socialize and get a fuller homeschooling experience.