Wow, at this point of the year it's getting tough, isn't it? The flowers are blooming and the weather is getting warmer and you're stuck inside doing homeschool for hours on end. The kids are stir-crazy and so are you; you feel like you are just slogging through with no joy anymore. The thought has occurred to you that next year you do NOT have to set yourself up for this again. In fact, you may have actually been feeling like you just want to out-and-out QUIT homeschooling.
I HAVE SO BEEN THERE. I can remember more than one phone call to my husband wailing, “I just don't want to do this anymore!!” Homeschooling can definitely push everyone's buttons — and mine are fairly easily pushed, unfortunately! But long-story-short we kept going — and now we have three homeschool graduates, with two more students still at home, and no plans to quit any time soon.
Now, I am by no means one of those militants who say that every family should be homeschooling and if you're not, you're some kind of infidel. I truly believe each family must decide what is best for their children and their own family dynamic.
BUT I also confess that I don't want anyone to quit homeschooling once they've already been doing it. I really think homeschooling is a wonderful lifestyle and I hate the idea of anyone giving it up. So do consider carefully and thoroughly as you contemplate changing your education plans for your family.
Related: Dear Homeschool Mom Who Feels like a Failure
Here's what I recommend if (and when, lol) you feel like you want to quit homeschooling:
1) Do not make a decision when you are emotional. Wait until the crisis has passed, or the year is over. Rest up for awhile and then come at the decision fresh. This way you will be able to evaluate the pros and cons of your situation as objectively as possible.
Related: Episode 65 – How to Tell if You are Successfully Homeschooling High School
2) Try to identify WHY you feel this way. It may be you just need to change some small things about how you are doing homeschool to begin feeling successful again. Maybe you're just stuck in a rut — read this post for help with that: When Your Homeschool is in a Rut.
3) Try to regain your vision. Why did you start homeschooling in the first place? Have you lost sight of that in the midst of the workbooks and the grading and the bad attitudes? Take some time to remember your original goals. Re-read some of your favorite
4) Or maybe you need a new vision. Maybe the kids are older and your original reasons for homeschooling aren't as valid anymore. This is conference season — get yourself out of the house and off to your local gathering. Keeping your own mind renewed is a key component of remaining motivated.
Related Reading: Why Should You Homeschool High School? Crafting Your Mission Statement
5) Get input from experienced homeschool moms who have been in the trenches just like you. This is the one thing I really would have liked when I was in the throes of despair and frustration — to just talk it out with someone who had been there. But for one reason or another there were many years when our family was homeschooling alone, and so I did not have ready friendships with homeschool moms that I could talk to about these things. If you have homeschool mom friends, especially if they are older and/or more experienced at homeschooling, make an appointment to get some coffee together and share your struggles. Sometimes all we need is to vent. But I bet they'll have some great advice.
And as another way to do #5, WOW, do I have a resource to share with you!
I recently had the opportunity to contribute three chapters to a new book called Homeschooling: What To Do When You Want to Quit. And this book is worth getting, y'all.
There are 56 chapters written by 31 experienced homeschool moms who all understand what it feels like to want to call it a day. Over 250 pages long, it is chock-full of encouragement and support for when you are at your wits' end. Tired of your messy house? There's a chapter about that. Overwhelmed by record-keeping? There's a chapter about that. You've been having some serious life issues lately? There's a chapter about that.
I can't think of a single reason to want to quit homeschooling that isn't addressed in this book. I'm going to keep it as a ready resource to select chapters to read according to the need of the moment, lol.
To purchase, click here: Homeschooling: What to do When You Want to Quit
My three chapters are “When You're an Exhausted Mom of Many Littles” (I still remember those days VIVIDLY, lol), “Homeschooling High School”, and “When Mom has Meltdowns.” Um. You can totally tell what my life is like just by reading those titles, can't you?? :-)
The book comes in either a Kindle version or an actual paperback copy. If you want to see some sample chapters, you can do so HERE.
**Buy now by clicking right here!**
I am just so excited to be a part of this book; I am convinced that it will be a helpful resource to keep on hand as we all continue our homeschool journeys — because I know after reading it you'll be motivated to keep on keeping on!
When you feel like you want to quit homeschooling, take time to think through the things I've mentioned above. Also get thee to a homeschool conference, or spend some time with a fellow homeschool mom who can help you over your rough patch. And READ THIS WONDERFUL BOOK! :-) You won't regret sticking it out; I promise. HUGS!! :-)
Ann has written Cure the Fear of Homeschooling High School: A Step-by-Step Manual for Research and Planning, Save Your Sanity While Homeschooling High School: Practical Principles for a Firm Foundation, and recently Taming the Transcript: The Essential Guide to Creating Your Teen's Homeschool Transcript from Scratch (without overwhelm). She also founded the popular Facebook groups It's Not that Hard to Homeschool High School and It's Not Hard to Homeschool K-8, and in addition she voices the It's Not That Hard to Homeschool High School Podcast.
- The Secret to Finding God's Will for Today - March 25, 2024
- Our Main Reason for Homeschooling: Character Development - January 18, 2024
- Homeschool Transcript Essentials: what you need and DON'T need! - January 13, 2024
I read your chapter in the book that included 10 reasons why you should homeschool high school. Oh my goodness!!!-so many reasons that are the same for me! I love it! You are a clear writer and I am so thankful for the resource of this book to encourage others with!
Yay! Thanks, Jill, for your kind words. I agree that the book is a wonderful resource! :-)