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new homeschooler

Transitioning from Public School to Homeschool For a Relaxed Lifestyle

November 10, 2024 | 2 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

It’s not easy transitioning from public school to homeschool. Also, look at my page The Dynamics of How to Homeschool Easily and Smarter for more tips and resources.

Afraid of messing up their child for life, new homeschoolers feel that having a strict schedule and having school from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. is the road to homeschooling success. 

Transitioning from Public School to Homeschool For a Relaxed Lifestyle

New homeschoolers transitioning from a public school mindset to a relaxed homeschooling lifestyle have a hard time wrapping their minds around the concept of relaxed homeschooling.

I admit I was one of those homeschoolers. Relaxed was one shade off from lazy. I was quite judgmental. It was ugly and I admit it!

Unless I kept my boys busy with a schedule every part of their learning day, we would not be meeting my standards for success so I thought.

From Relaxed to Rejuvenated Homeschooling

First, look at some of these books about homeschooling.

5 BEST How to Homeschool Books

I've rounded up some of the best books to help you get started homeschooling.

Homeschooling for New Homeschoolers: When You Don't Know Where to Begin

Homeschooling 31 Day Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers is a real eye-opener on homeschooling. It will alleviate a lot of the anxieties about getting started homeschooling. Reading each chapter’s highlights will give you encouragement, knowledge, guidance, and peace of mind to homeschool with confidence. The best part is that you’ll be educating the person who loves your kids the most in this world--YOU! Armed with the knowledge to make better choices in curriculum will empower you to continue the path of home education. Unlike many books based on one family’s experience, Homeschooling 31 Day Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers is also based on Tina’s many years of mentoring hundreds and hundreds of new homeschoolers at live workshops. When you don’t know where to begin Homeschooling 31 Day Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers equips you to successfully homeschool your children.

The Unhurried Homeschooler

Homeschooling is a wonderful, worthwhile pursuit, but many homeschool parents struggle with feelings of burnout and frustration. If you have ever felt this way, you’re not alone! Most of us need to be reminded of the “why” of homeschooling from time to time—but "The Unhurried homeschooler" takes parents a step further and lifts the unnecessary burdens that many parents place on themselves.

Teaching from Rest: A Homeschooler's Guide to Unshakable Peace

Those who have made the decision to homeschool their children have done so out of great love for their children and a desire to provide them an excellent education in the context of a warm, enriching home.

The Brave Learner: Finding Everyday Magic in Homeschool, Learning, and Life

Parents who are deeply invested in their children's education can be hard on themselves and their kids. When exhausted parents are living the day-to-day grind, it can seem impossible to muster enough energy to make learning fun or interesting. How do parents nurture a love of learning amid childhood chaos, parental self-doubt, the flu, and state academic standards?

Unschooled: Raising Curious, Well-Educated Children Outside the Conventional Classroom

Education has become synonymous with schooling, but it doesn’t have to be. As schooling becomes increasingly standardized and test driven, occupying more of childhood than ever before, parents and educators are questioning the role of schooling in society. Many are now exploring and creating alternatives.

It can take years to embody the definition of relaxed homeschooling.

Some homeschoolers even confuse relaxed with unschooling. Because they may want to follow more structure, they’re hesitant about adopting relaxed homeschooling.

Transitioning from Public School to Homeschool For a Relaxed Lifestyle

Don’t wait years and miss out on adding the vital element of relaxation to your day.

Take a look at some of these points that will help to hone the definition of relaxed homeschooling.

Relaxed homeschooling works with every approach.

Relaxed homeschooling is not an approach, but it is a lifestyle.

This means that you don’t have to give up your homeschooling approach, but it does mean that whatever homeschool approach you follow, it needs to be examined.

For example, determine how you can make your approach more relaxed and less rigid.

Transitioning from a Public School Mindset

If you follow a unit study approach, can you make it more relaxed by doing math all together one day?

Normally, math is not a subject that can be done with multiple ages, but you want to find a way to step back. Relaxed means to rejuvenate your day. Choose one day and read a living math book to all your children.

Instead of focusing on the math worksheet you missed for the day, focus on the feeling that math becomes a subject that a child can love instead of dread.

If you follow the classical method of homeschooling, can your language arts one day be about each child narrating back a story he loves?

Transitioning from a Public School Mind-Set to a Relaxed Homeschooling Lifestyle @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Forget the physical act of writing one day and encourage your children to use their vocabulary building skills by using new vocabulary in an oral story telling setting.

If you follow the Charlotte Mason method of homeschooling, can music involvement for the day be a physical act of interpretation like dancing?

Some of this will obviously depend on the ages of your children. Anytime kids can act out something to be learned, it was more memorable and captivating.

Define what is education for your family.

One of the first things you want to do when starting is to define what is education for your family. Does it include art, living books, textbooks, hands-on learning, life skills or all of them?

Beyond thinking about worksheets, most new homeschoolers don’t give pause for even a moment to look clearly beyond the present to the future.

The importance of this cannot be stressed enough.

Learning should not be just about filling a child’s head with knowledge, but it should be a part of living that is delightful and pursued lifelong. It’s about equipping a child for adulthood.

How will your family do that in a relaxed atmosphere?

Look beyond how things are presently done either in public school or in your present homeschooling journey to see what YOU want to change to make it better for your children.

Jump headfirst into understanding your child’s learning style.

No matter how much I talked to one homeschool mom whose present homeschooling approach was not working with her son, she was not going to change.

Transitioning from Public School to Homeschool For a Relaxed Lifestyle

She was just sure there was something wrong with her child.

There was — he didn’t learn how she thought he should. Really, the problem was her.

Tears and fighting followed and she made her homeschooling journey one miserable day after the other because she refused to change her teaching style.

Transitioning from Public School to Homeschool For a Relaxed Lifestyle

When our child’s learning style doesn’t mesh with our predetermined way of teaching, are we willing to change our teaching style?

How to Kill Boring Homeschooling Days

Relaxed homeschooling means to change the way we think homeschooling should be and make it fit our child.

I had one son who loved textbooks and workbooks because some subjects he preferred to learn that way.

I have another son who cried in agony when he glanced at a textbook.

Transitioning from Public School to Homeschool For a Relaxed Lifestyle

Should I think that I had less rigorous standards with my second son because I added in living books and more hands-on? Was that just fun or was it relaxed for him?

Brow beating our children to make them accept our teaching style instead of accepting them as they come, pre-wired to learn in a certain way, never worked.

Finding what is best for your child is relaxed homeschooling.

Relaxed homeschooling means that we accept when changes have to be made in our homeschooling.

Changing our homeschool approach and giving up curriculum when it’s not obviously working for our family while not stressing out over the price we paid for it are signs that we have softened in our homeschool journey.

Can you think of other ways where you can introduce a more relaxed attitude into your every day?

More Transitioning From Public School to Homeschool Tips

  • Transitioning from Public School to Homeschool For a Relaxed Lifestyle
  • When Homeschooling is Sucking the Life Out of You
  • Why My Homeschooled Kids Are Not Given the Choice to Go to Public School
  • 26 of the BIGGEST Gripes about the Homeschooling Lifestyle!
  • The NOT To Do List: 32 Things New Homeschoolers Should Avoid
  • How to Mesh Your Personality With Homeschooling When They Collide
  • What is REAL Homeschooling? Homebound, Co-op or Public School at Home
  • Big Ol’ List of All-In-One Homeschool Curriculum (a.k.a Boxed)
  • How to Get Homeschooled Kids to WANT to Learn?
  • Is Homeschooling Making the Grade? It’s in and the Grade is ALL Fs!
  • Is Homeschooling Right for Your Family? Hear From the Kids!
  • Homeschooling Book for New Homeschoolers – When You Don’t Know Where to Begin
  • Homeschool Critics: How Do You Know You’re on Track?
  • How to Use Summertime to Put a Foot in Homeschooling
  • How to Cope Successfully With Homeschool Mental Stress
  • How to Begin Homeschooling A Teen Lagging Behind
  • How Early Should I Begin Homeschooling My First Child & Free Checklist
  • 5 Ideas to Kick-Start Your New Homeschool Year By Including Others

2 CommentsFiled Under: Homeschool Simply Tagged With: homeschool, homeschool challenges, homeschool lifestyle, homeschoolchallenges, new homeschooler, newbeehomeschooler, relaxedhomeschooling

Must-Have Best Homeschooling Materials for The New Homeschooler

May 7, 2024 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Before curriculum, there are homeschooling materials, especially for the new homeschooler that are essential must-haves to consider. Also, look at my page The Dynamics of How to Homeschool Easily and Smarter for more tips! You’ll love tips on my page Free Boot Camp for new homeschoolers.

This list is for any type of homeschooler even if you’re deciding what kind of homeschool family you want to be.

Must-Have Best Homeschooling Materials for The New Homeschooler

For example, there is Charlotte Mason, unschoolers, unit study families, eclectic, classic with every subject laid out in a box, or anywhere in between.

Beyond the basics, I like materials that can be used for more than one year by different ages and for more than one purpose.

 I like to get the most bang for my buck, don’t you?

Not included in the list are copious amounts of coffee, bubble baths, and chocolate but they are also helpful.

Additionally, I could continue adding to this list for ages, art supplies, science tools, sewing machines, items for organizing, and others but that is for another post another time.

I wanted to narrow it down to the very basics.

So, we are going to start with the basic must-haves.

And if you already have some of these you are ahead of the game and ready to round out your list with some other useful items on the bonus list that I still consider important for a basic homeschooling foundation.

Must-Haves for New Homeschoolers

Next, besides the materials I list below, here are a few more essential things.

  • Library card. While I do spend plenty on books sometimes if it is a book that you will use just once it is smart to just borrow it from the library, my sagging shelves are always grateful.If you do not already have one head straight to your local library and get everybody a card to check out books for fun and learning. Most libraries offer extras now too like checking out toys, instruments, DVDs, CDs, video games, and other items.
  • Memberships to zoos and museums are a huge part of learning for any age.
  • Annual passes to state parks and national parks.
  • YMCA pass if you have a location near you because some do a homeschooling class.
Must-Have Best Homeschooling Materials for The New Homeschooler

More Homeschooling Materials Resources

  • Day 14 Homeschool Supplies List And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp
  • Big Ol’ List of All-In-One Homeschool Curriculum (a.k.a Boxed)
Must-Have Best Homeschooling Materials for The New Homeschooler

Now, look at some of our favorite homeschooling materials for the new homeschooler.

Homeschooling Materials for The New Homeschooler

Grab some of these resources for new homeschoolers and homeschooling materials.

Homeschooling 31 Day Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers: When You Don't Know Where to Begin

Homeschooling 31 Day Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers is a real eye-opener on homeschooling. It will alleviate a lot of the anxieties about getting started homeschooling. Reading each chapter’s highlights will give you encouragement, knowledge, guidance, and peace of mind to homeschool with confidence. The best part is that you’ll be educating the person who loves your kids the most in this world--YOU! Armed with the knowledge to make better choices in curriculum will empower you to continue the path of home education. Unlike many books based on one family’s experience, Homeschooling 31 Day Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers is also based on Tina’s many years of mentoring hundreds and hundreds of new homeschoolers at live workshops.When you don’t know where to begin Homeschooling 31 Day Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers equips you to successfully homeschool your children.

Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Wireless Color All-in-One Cartridge

A good printer that doesn’t require frequent ink refills is essential. It may be an upfront investment but both you and your children can use it. Digital unit studies will need to be printed and it is expensive at office stores, when your child types a paper, for practice worksheets, photos for a scrapbook, I have the last version of this and just love it. I print with it quite a bit and have only refilled it once in the last year.

2 Pack Wall File Organizer

I know, duh right? But don’t overlook its importance and have a variety on hand. Copy paper for the printer, construction paper, graph paper, cardstock, watercolor paper, and even newspaper. Keep them where they are easy to get to inspire them to get creative as well as use them for everyday assignments.

I use this wall-mounted rack to organize our different types of paper.

World Map Tapestry Wall Hanging for Kids

A good map and or globe is a must-have item. Whether you use a box curriculum, unit studies, unschooling, or anything in between there will be lots of times and situations that you will point out states, countries, and bodies of water.

Geographic USA ScrunchMap, Portable, Easy-to-Store USA Map, Water and Tear-Resistant Map

If you don’t want to invest the wall space or money on a big wall map, these scrunch maps take up very little space and can be used anywhere. Honestly, even if you have a good map this is a great item to have anyway.

Thermal Laminator, 1 Laminating Machine, Gray

You can get a really good laminator for under $30. This is something that will last several years and can be used more often than you think. I have used mine to laminate things like flashcards and flat craft projects, awards, etc… It has been used countless times to turn consumable worksheets into reusable practice sheets for new writers, to make playdough mats, and so much more.

Electric Pencil Sharpener

For obvious reasons a good pencil sharpener should be on your list. While the kids should have cheap little manual ones too, an electric pencil sharpener will get a lot of use. For this item I say you don't need to go to the top of the line but don't buy the cheapest either, it won't hold up.

Magnetic Whiteboard/Dry Erase Board, 18 X 12 Inches

It doesn’t have to be a huge board that takes up half your wall, I think a 17”x23” or so size is plenty big enough. You can use it as a fun way to introduce new themes, vocabulary words, “announcements'' like field trips for the week, to demonstrate a new math concept, and so much more. If you do not have a dedicated space, it is still easily tucked behind or under a couch.

I also like to have personal-sized ones, that you can find even at Dollar Tree year-round, for the kids to use for drawing, practicing spelling words, family games, and other times.

Heavy Duty 3 Hole Punch

Go ahead and get a heavy-duty one, the cheap ones only hold a couple of sheets of paper and break quickly. This is another item that both you and your children will use to put together assignments, your yearly records, hole punching manuals for toys, games, and school-related things, and placing them in a binder is a great way to keep them organized and at hand.

Merriam-Webster’s Everyday Language Reference Set: Includes: The Merriam-Webster Dictionary, The Merriam-Webster Thesaurus, and The Merriam-Webster Vocabulary Builder

I know we can just ask our phones and have the answer right at our fingertips and yes I use it often but I still think learning how to look things up in a good old-fashioned dictionary is an important skill for kids to learn.

The Julia Rothman Collection: Farm Anatomy, Nature Anatomy, and Food Anatomy

I love and highly recommend, often, the entire series of Anatomy books by Julia Rothman. They are fantastic for science reference and have the prettiest illustrations with just enough information, while not comprehensive they are a good go-to for art inspiration, and diorama ideas, and make great field guides. One of the best features is that they can be used from preschool through high school in my opinion. There are currently 5 in the series.

Honey-Can-Do Rolling Storage Cart and Organizer with 12 Plastic Drawers

If you have a dedicated homeschool room or space these, come in handy but are especially nice for those that are using the kitchen table or couch to school. Drawers can be used to store school supplies like pens and pencils, paper, small board games, flashcards, manipulatives, and other items like that. or you can label each drawer for a day of the week and put your materials for each child in the drawer. When you're done it can simply be rolled out of the way and put up for the next day.

The Read-Aloud Family: Making Meaningful and Lasting Connections with Your Kids

Learn practical strategies to make reading aloud an attainable family goal.

The stories we read--and the conversations we have about them--help shape family traditions, create lifelong memories, and become part of our legacy. Many parents can't get their children to become book-lovers. Other parents lose touch with what their child is reading.

Reading aloud with your children not only has the power to change a family--it can help your children grow into thoughtful, intelligent, empathetic adults.

Washable, Neon Colored Egg Chalk for Outdoor Play and Chalkboard Art

Vibrant & Neon Colors: Spice up your and your kids' creativity with our 6-piece multicolored chalk set! This chalk set consists of 6 different colors from yellow to pink. Ideal for games like hopscotch, tic tac toe, writing fun messages, or drawing bright, vibrant pictures.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: New Homeschooler Help Tagged With: new homeschool year, new homeschooler, new homeschooler homeschool curriculum

18 No Nonsense Tips For New Homeschool Moms To Find YOUR Family’s Groove

May 6, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I have tips for new homeschool moms. Also, I have a 31 Day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers page.

Welcome to the world of homeschooling.

And in my many years of helping new homeschoolers, the most important point for you to know is that you have to find YOUR family’s groove.

Besides, why do you want to repeat at home what you left behind in public school.

18 No Nonsense Tips For New Homeschool Moms To Find YOUR Family’s Groove

You’ll get a lot of homeschool advice and because I’ve homeschooled well over 20+ years I want you to sort fact versus myth.

Moreover, homeschooling is not just an educational choice.

Beginning to homeschool is a lifestyle choice.

That is something that some new homeschoolers don’t fully appreciate when they start.

Tips for New Homeschool Moms Resources

Also, I’ve rounded up some books which may help you get started homeschooling.

5 BEST How to Homeschool Books

I've rounded up some of the best books to help you get started homeschooling.

Homeschooling for New Homeschoolers: When You Don't Know Where to Begin

Homeschooling 31 Day Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers is a real eye-opener on homeschooling. It will alleviate a lot of the anxieties about getting started homeschooling. Reading each chapter’s highlights will give you encouragement, knowledge, guidance, and peace of mind to homeschool with confidence. The best part is that you’ll be educating the person who loves your kids the most in this world--YOU! Armed with the knowledge to make better choices in curriculum will empower you to continue the path of home education. Unlike many books based on one family’s experience, Homeschooling 31 Day Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers is also based on Tina’s many years of mentoring hundreds and hundreds of new homeschoolers at live workshops. When you don’t know where to begin Homeschooling 31 Day Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers equips you to successfully homeschool your children.

The Unhurried Homeschooler

Homeschooling is a wonderful, worthwhile pursuit, but many homeschool parents struggle with feelings of burnout and frustration. If you have ever felt this way, you’re not alone! Most of us need to be reminded of the “why” of homeschooling from time to time—but "The Unhurried homeschooler" takes parents a step further and lifts the unnecessary burdens that many parents place on themselves.

Teaching from Rest: A Homeschooler's Guide to Unshakable Peace

Those who have made the decision to homeschool their children have done so out of great love for their children and a desire to provide them an excellent education in the context of a warm, enriching home.

The Brave Learner: Finding Everyday Magic in Homeschool, Learning, and Life

Parents who are deeply invested in their children's education can be hard on themselves and their kids. When exhausted parents are living the day-to-day grind, it can seem impossible to muster enough energy to make learning fun or interesting. How do parents nurture a love of learning amid childhood chaos, parental self-doubt, the flu, and state academic standards?

Unschooled: Raising Curious, Well-Educated Children Outside the Conventional Classroom

Education has become synonymous with schooling, but it doesn’t have to be. As schooling becomes increasingly standardized and test driven, occupying more of childhood than ever before, parents and educators are questioning the role of schooling in society. Many are now exploring and creating alternatives.

18 No Nonsense Tips For New Homeschool Moms To Find YOUR Family’s Groove

Also, look at more tips on how to homeschool.

More How to Homeschool Tips

  • How to Plan Your First Homeschool Year When You Don’t Know How To Start
  • The NOT To Do List: 32 Things New Homeschoolers Should Avoid
  • Top 5 Homeschool Approaches New Homeschoolers Need to Know
  • Dear New Homeschooler – Are You Making this BIG Mistake? (I Was)
  • New Homeschooler – Mustering the Courage to Face THE 4 Homeschool Biggies – Part 1.
  • New Homeschooler – Mustering the Courage to Face THE 4 Homeschool Biggies Part 2
  • Top 10 Tips For New Homeschoolers – Curriculum, curriculum, curriculum – Isn’t that how to begin homeschooling? Part 1
  • Top 10 Tips For New Homeschoolers – When You Don’t Know Where to Begin . . . Part 2

Now, look at these tips for new homeschool moms and dads which will help you to succeed your first year.

18 No Nonsense Tips for New Homeschoolers

  • Deschool. Avoid the huge mistake of jumping into homeschool and not doing a detox of sorts.

Watch my video below.

  • Don’t recreate public school at home. You’re a family not a public school.
  • Be patient with your kid and with YOU. Beginning to homeschool is more than an educational choice, it’s a significant lifestyle choice.
  • Finding your own groove means to find what interests your child. Go beyond teaching the basics of learning and make homeschooling fit what your children’s passions and interests are.
  • Learning is a rite of passage, not EVER a race. So, slow your roll girl!

  • Spend more time finding your way than explaining you way or choice to others who do not appreciate your choice to homeschool.
  • Remember there is ALWAYS time for fun. Just because your kids are having fun doesn’t mean they are not having meaningful learning. Fun is part of learning.
  • Don’t compare yourself with others. You have to DO YOU. Homeschooling is about embracing the unique.
  • Curriculum is a help NOT the tutor. You’re the tutor. So, completing a curriculum does not equal mastery. Use what you need to teach and move on.
  • Take time to figure out your child’s learning style. Do not just pick up curriculum and expect it all to turn out well if you don’t know how your child learns best. What Are The 5 Learning Styles to Know to Form a Powerful Homeschool Foundation

18 No Nonsense Tips for New Homeschoolers

  • Unless a child has special needs, there is no behind in homeschooling. There is just beginning where your child is.
  • Find a routine which suits your family. I don’t agree with the bad rap schedules get. The negative part of schedules is when you create them unrealistic. Having a schedule your child can follow is essential to success. Just don’t make it the task master.
  • When you leave public school don’t look back to it to set your learning standard. You homeschool to exceed public school goals NOT meet them.
  • True some subjects you’ll have a weakness in teaching. Embrace it and learn alongside your child. If you still need help, the homeschool world offers plenty of help from videos, to online teachers, to 1:1 teaching by tutors and a homeschool co-op.
  • The only scary part is taking the leap. I promise!

  • Be willing to let go of what you think is education. My confession is that I was quite judgmental thinking educating my children meant strict days. There is a HUGE difference between relaxed and lazy. They are not even close.
  • Your homeschool family and children are one of a kind. Embrace that and be willing to learn from others but make your homeschool journey unique.
  • Read, read, and read. Embrace the challenge to be a well-educated educator. Look at my online courses for new homeschoolers at my sister site How to Homeschool EZ.
18 No Nonsense Tips For New Homeschool Moms To Find YOUR Family’s Groove

Take your first year one day at a time.

Keep in mind, unlike public school you have plenty of time to change what you’re doing and reteach what you don’t think your kids get.

However, you only have one first time.

So make your first year memorable for the right reasons. Get to know your children and savor the freedom of homeschooling.

Leave a CommentFiled Under: New Homeschooler Help Tagged With: how to homeschool, new homeschool year, new homeschooler, new homeschooler homeschool curriculum, newbeehomeschooler, newhomeschoolyear

Day 30 Homeschool Expectations and New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

January 18, 2023 | Leave a Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Day 30 is homeschool expectations of the free 31 Day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers.

Reflecting on what you have accomplished and your homeschool expectations your first year.

And reflecting on your first day of school will keep you planning forward.

Looking back is key to being able to plot your course the next year or even the next day.

Day 30 Homeschool Expectations and New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

Making mistakes is part of homeschooling, learning from them is key to making homeschool fit your family.

Though I want you to take many points away from this boot camp, one point that is especially important to remember is to adjust your expectations to survival mode the first year.

Homeschool Expectations

Goals kick start your journey and you want to see them as guideposts for the E N T I R E journey and not to be accomplish all in your first year.

If you have taken time to learn homeschool lingo, track your week, practice dividing out a book into manageable lesson plans each day and determine what home education will mean for your family, you have accomplished quite a bit.

The average new homeschooler who starts her school year only thinking about nothing else, but curriculum choices can be detrimental.

Now is the time to figure out where you will have time for yourself in the day, what kind of support you want from your husband and when you will take time for physical refreshment and spiritual nourishment.

Don’t start school and then just “plug in” everything else wherever.

Plan your day by “zones” in bigger chunks. For example, mark 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. on your calendar as school.

That means no phone calls answered, no door answering and no cleaning.

As your children get older, they can do some school by themselves at the table or school room while you sneak away for 10 minutes to change out the wash. Many times now my morning is very free because my sons grow more and more independent.

Look at your progress as a journey, measuring year to year and not day to day.

For example, if one year you got caught up on science, then use the next year to bring history to the front burner and cover less science.

How to Measure Progress and Homeschool Expectations

One year you may add another family member to your family and feel you are behind. You are not, it is just life. Catch up the next year.

Measuring progress by longer periods and not just your 1st year is key to being successful.

If I could have this next point bleed through the pages of this post, I would. I have been called dramatic on a few occasions, but here is my pleading point: Do not measure progress by THIS year only.

It takes almost a year or more to finally pull away from the public school mentality.

Explaining this point, one remark I consistently get each year among my new homeschooling parents is: “I’ll give this a year”. Wow. What pressure a family has just put on itself.

Each family member feels pressure to perform successfully for the first year.

An example I like to use to illustrate how short sighted this statement could be is comparing it to your first year as a new parent of your first born.

Mr.Senior 2013 @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool plus

(Mr. Senior 2013. Yes, then I was  less “round” than I am today, but more exhausted.)

I know that over parenting was involved with me and hubby. We use to say that one small baby can wear out two parents and two sets of grandparents.

If I had judged having more children on what I did that first year of parenting by over rocking, over coddling and over worrying, I may not have had any more children.

The truth of it is that sleepless nights, extra reading about how to care for newborns and asking questions of veteran parents enabled me to join the ranks of millions of other capable parents. 

Your first year homeschooling will be your certification to joining the thousands of successful homeschool parents.

New to Homeschooling Start with the Basics

1 – 7 Start with the Homeschool Basics

  • 1 Learn The Lingo (& free glossary)
  • 2: Homeschool Roots Matter
  • 3 What is NOT Homeschooling
  • 4: Confronting Relatives & Naysayers
  • 5: The Wheels on the Bus Go ‘Round & ‘Round
  • 6: Homeschool Hangouts & Socialization Situations
  • 7: Tied Up with Homeschool Testing?

8-14 Homeschool Organization 101 for Beginners

  • 8: Organize Your Home – Then School
  • 9: Carpe Diem: Homeschool Schedule by The Day, Month, & Year
  • 10 Grocery Shopping Cooking Laundry
  • 11: Swoonworthy Learning Spaces & Homeschool Rooms
  • 12: Creative Storage Solutions for Homeschool
  • 13. Streamlined Record Keeping
  • 14 Homeschool Supplies List

15 – 21 Best tips for New Homeschoolers Choosing Curriculum

  • 15: Discovering Learning Styles
  • 16: Practical Tips for Learning Styles
  • 17: How to Choose a Homeschool Curriculum 
  • 18 Teaching Young Children – Elementary Homeschool
  • 19:  Guiding Homeschool Teens 
  • 20: Homeschool Lesson Planning
  • 21 Time Tested Tips For Homeschool

22- 28 Homeschool Preschoolers, Highschoolers, Resistant Learners, Homeschool Mom Burnout

  • 22 Homeschooling Preschoolers
  • 23 When Your Child Hates Homeschooling 
  • 24 Finding Homeschool Curriculum For Unique Learners
  • 25 Homeschool High School 
  • 26: Tips for Resistant Learners
  • 27 10 Homeschool Tips to Break Out of a Homeschool Rut
  • 28 Homeschool Mom Burnout

29-31 Homeschool Expectations, Free Resources and Tips

  • 29 Free Useful Resources and Homeschooling Tips

Looking back to see what you did your first year will help you to look forward and to not measure success by only your first year.

Day 30 Homeschool Expectations and New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

Homeschooling truly begins when you stretch forward.

{31 Day Boot Camp For New Homeschoolers}

Leave a CommentFiled Under: 31 Day Blog Bootcamp for New Homeschoolers, Begin Homeschooling Tagged With: new homeschooler

Day 28 Homeschool Mom Burnout And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

December 14, 2022 | 1 Comment
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, Day 28 is homeschool mom burnout tips and sanity savers. You’ll love the other tips on my 31 Day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers.

When I started homeschooling, I printed out EVERYTHING and I do mean EVERYTHING that I had found on a topic that we were going to study.

I put it all into huge 3 ring white binders.

Oh, it was organized, but like I have said before my organization skills had nothing to do with knowing how to teach.

Before I knew it, my shelves were overflowing with “unit studies”.

Well that is what I thought anyway. In reality, not the world I was living in at the time, my shelves were full of torturing tools for my toddlers.

Day 28 Homeschool Mom Burnout And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

Over scheduling and over planning are the telltale signs of not just the inexperienced, but of those that do not know how to say no.

We are going to practice how to say no in a minute, but right now, I want to share some questions with you that can be used to evaluate your planning and scheduling when burnout is brewing.

Questions for Homeschool Mom Burnout

Mark this and come back to them anytime you feel tension in your routine.

Have I been home or am I on the road too much?

Have I forgotten how to say no?

Have I taken time to pray, and get spiritual nourishment?

Have I taken time to share my concerns with my husband?

Do I need to switch curriculum or switch out my children with somebody else? Okay okay. Or is it that I don’t need to have my children do ALL of what a curriculum is telling me to do?

Do I need to obtain curriculum that is more structured so I am more accountable?

Do I need to incorporate more fun and relaxing times in my day?

Have I forgotten that curriculum is not magical, accredited or teaches character? I am teaching a child not a curriculum. So a relationship, capturing their heart and a (serving heart) attitude toward my children makes me view them correctly and that is as “individuals or persons”.

Have I forgotten that a child is entitled to a childhood with free time to explore, investigate and have a separate opinion from mine?

I have already shared with you how to realistically plan for your day on Day 8: Organize Your Home – Then School and a simple how to on lesson planning Day 20: Lesson Plan or Lesson Journal.

But I have not explained the secret to maintaining moderation and balance.

It is a simple exercise I do with my newbies in my workshop.

And that is to put your lips together and say NO! Let’s try it now—-say it out loud: NOOOOOOO!!! There, you said it.

I know you may be just the perfect person for heading up the potluck dinner for your friends.

Or, maybe you’re hosting a baby shower, or leading that volunteer group this year, but PLEASE hear my heart when I say: Give Yourself THIS year to learn how to homeschool and do not over commit. 

Think: Are not my children worth the things that I let go this year?

Place a high value on your children’s education and for being there not just in body when they have a question, but with a refreshed mind.

Learn the homeschool ropes and don’t make it extra stressful on yourself by trying to be supermom.

We all try on the supermom cape at various times in our journey and then put it away back in the closet. Some of us try  to wear it constantly and wear ourselves out.

Change your homeschool mood by turning over scheduling, over planning and over load into overjoyed.

New to Homeschooling Start with the Basics

1 – 7 Start with the Homeschool Basics

  • 1 Learn The Lingo (& free glossary)
  • 2: Homeschool Roots Matter
  • 3 What is NOT Homeschooling
  • 4: Confronting Relatives & Naysayers
  • 5: The Wheels on the Bus Go ‘Round & ‘Round
  • 6: Homeschool Hangouts & Socialization Situations
  • 7: Tied Up with Homeschool Testing?

8-14 Homeschool Organization 101 for Beginners

  • 8: Organize Your Home – Then School
  • 9: Carpe Diem: Homeschool Schedule by The Day, Month, & Year
  • 10 Grocery Shopping Cooking Laundry
  • 11: Swoonworthy Learning Spaces & Homeschool Rooms
  • 12: Creative Storage Solutions for Homeschool
  • 13. Streamlined Record Keeping
  • 14 Homeschool Supplies List

15 – 21 Best tips for New Homeschoolers Choosing Curriculum

  • 15: Discovering Learning Styles
  • 16: Practical Tips for Learning Styles
  • 17: How to Choose a Homeschool Curriculum 
  • 18 Teaching Young Children – Elementary Homeschool
  • 19:  Guiding Homeschool Teens 
  • 20: Homeschool Lesson Planning
  • 21 Time Tested Tips For Homeschool

22- 28 Homeschool Preschoolers, Highschoolers, Resistant Learners, Homeschool Mom Burnout

  • 22 Homeschooling Preschoolers
  • 23 When Your Child Hates Homeschooling 
  • 24 Finding Homeschool Curriculum For Unique Learners
  • 25 Homeschool High School 
  • 26: Tips for Resistant Learners
  • 27 10 Homeschool Tips to Break Out of a Homeschool Rut
Day 28 Homeschool Mom Burnout And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp
Day: 28 Over Scheduling + Over Planning = Over load. {31 Day Boot Camp For New Homeschoolers on My Blog}

1 CommentFiled Under: 31 Day Blog Bootcamp for New Homeschoolers, How To - - -, Plan For & School Year Around Tagged With: homeschool, homeschool mistakes, new homeschool year, new homeschooler, newbeehomeschooler

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