Is it because spring has sprung? Or, is it because our schedule is so busy that we’re all running in circles? Or, is it simply due to the fact that we are counting down to our last day of everything – dance, co-op, and school for this year?
I’m not really sure, but I am really struggling these days. I’m struggling to face each homeschool day with a smile on my face.
I’m tired. I want to sleep in, but I can’t. I need to see my oldest off to school each morning. I’m staying up too late working.
I want to pack up the books and declare it summer break already, but I can’t. Because of dance competitions and physical therapy appointments, we are a little behind at the moment.
Sometimes Homeschooling is a Struggle
I just want to get it all done. I’m trying hard to balance bookwork with hands-on stuff right now. I just want to plow through the books so we can shelve them for the summer. But, I know that Emma needs a mental break every now and then to do an art project or to listen to a read-aloud.
I have no idea what we’re doing for next year. Typically, by this time of the year, I have already decided on what I’ll be teaching next year. I’ve usually got most of my homeschool curriculum for the upcoming year ordered. Right now, I’m just trying to make it through the day’s to-do list. I haven’t even begun to think about next year.
I need to give myself some grace! I need to remind myself that whether we finish our math book this year or take another field trip, I have still provided Emma with an excellent foundation this year. She has read a multitude of fantastic books. Grammar is beginning to click. She’s really enjoyed our study of American History this year. Her first year of co-op was an amazing experience.
I can’t quit now! The end of the year is in sight. Now’s not the time to throw in the towel!
What are you struggling with in your homeschool right now? How do you find the motivation to push on?
I am struggling now too. It’s the “summer is in the air” syndrome. I am way behind on everything around the house, chaos reigns, and my high schooler is stressed out. To top it all off, I am laying here with a stomach bug, because of course I have time to be sick.
I absolutely love homeschooling, but I always appreciate summer when it arrives. The struggle for me is the transition from schooling to summer life.
Oh no! I hope you feel better very soon!
I’ve been there! We got into such a slump. Homeschool wasn’t fun any more. I ended up changing curriculum (from workbooks to My Father’s World) and that gave us a breath of fresh air in our homeschool. It’s not that we always feel like doing schoolwork, but it’s not the soul sucking black hole that it used to be.
Best wishes for finishing strong and figuring out what you want to do next year. 🙂
We have been struggling lately too. Appointments have really thrown our days off. Like you said you just want to get it all done but the kids need their mental break. I have over the weekend readjusted the schedule to make changes. I don’t know how this will go but two days this week could really mess up that schedule already. We go through the year but we go lighter in summer. I am still planning for next year as I am making adjustments to curriculum.
I totally understand! This time of year is hard because we just want to be DONE with school, so it’s a struggle to stay on task and not take too many breaks!
Absolutely!
We don’t do school in the summer which makes the push to finish that much greater. And, I have barely begun to think about next year… I’m so ready for summer! 🙂
I can totally relate. It seems like I get to this point at this time every year. SIGH! I am dedicated to taking a few weeks off from all things homeschool (besides my blog) in June just to regroup and then pick up at the end of the month.
This is our eleventh year homeschooling, and I can totally relate! A few years ago, I was really struggling. We made a curriculum change, and that was HUGE. Things really seemed to go more smoothly. And I don’t think it was the exact curriculum. It was the need for a change.
You are wise to give yourself grace. Know that the struggle won’t be forever and appreciate the great things you know have been accomplished. 🙂
We are making a curriculum change next year, and I’m hoping that helps me regain my momentum.
Regrouping will be a great help! We take summers off from our “regular” homeschool studies, and I am counting down the days.
For me, homeschooling is only sometimes NOT a struggle 😉 That’s OK, though. Every great thing in my life was accomplished through a bit of a struggle. I know this will be worth it in the end! Thanks for the encouraging post!
I love your outlook! Blessings!
I have had the same struggles before in my homeschooling. But I’ve been homeschooling for 12 years now and it has been so worth it! Even when you feel overwhelmed and like things are just going terrible, don’t be discouraged! Those days will pass and it will all be worth it in the end, and your child will be thankful for it! 🙂 #SmallVictories
Oh the struggle is real! I find this is where I am this year…. I want to put aside the books and yet I want to finish the books! I feel like we’re just going through the motions though and that’s never good either. I’ve had several weeks now where I’m questioning the skills they’ve learned and if we’re doing enough, covering enough and how to get them to that next level. I’ve been at this gig long enough to know all this will pass and we’ll find our fun and enjoyment again. In the meantime it’s enough that we’re hanging on.
I am just getting started in Homeschooling and still a little lost. And as for Summer I do not think we will take it off as I feel like we would be further behind. But we use Fridays for play and art and do learning games and things to give us a break during the week. I just think if I knew what I was doing we would take the Summer off. So next year we will be using K-12 which I am not sure will make Homeschool easier but it will tell me what to teach so I do not feel so lost and alone.
Your Friday’s sound like lots of fun! Even if you plan to do some school over the summer, I would encourage you to plan some time off, as well, so you guys get some sort of break. You don’t want to burn out.