How to Prevent Back to Homeschool Stress

Two years ago today, I was in the same place - getting ready for the new home school year.

Except, 2 years ago, I didn't feel the way I do today.

I can still remember how I felt. Not excited. Stressed. Worried.

You see, the year I started to homeschool, I was excited. I couldn't wait to start. I bought my curriculum with enthusiasm. I could hardly wait to get it.

In fact, I was still excited when it arrived. I can still remember ripping open each box as it arrived, flipping through the pages, and wanting to start right then.

And, I have to confess, I made elaborate lists and plans - details of an exact schedule, what we would do, etc.

Ha! That didn't last long.

I had WAY over-prepared. Made it WAY too structured. Expected WAY to much. I soon found myself frustrated and with a crying child.

So, I got that fixed for my 2nd year. But then came my 3rd year....

That was the year that I added my 2nd child.

I had this perfect plan in my mind again. Picture this: we'd get up in the morning, have breakfast, and then get started on homeschool. We'd sit at the kitchen table - my two boys - each working at the same time. We'd be done by noon, eat lunch, and have the afternoon to do whatever.

Well, it ended up just being a perfect plan in my mind and had NOTHING to do with reality.

Instead, we'd get up and have breakfast. Then, I got out all our stuff and put it on the table. I started Nathan on something and then started Ryan on something. Ryan, being Kindergarten, needed a lot of attention - and Nathan was interrupting because he needed help with his 2nd grade material.

And then, on top of that, two year old Maegan wanted to homeschool too!

I would give her coloring, cutting, and anything else I could think of.

But there I'd be, frustrated....trying to learn letters with Ryan, being interrupted by Nathan who needed to know what to do next, and trying to ignore Maegan pulling on my shirt for another craft or to sit on my lap.

I was living the life of a disorganized, frazzled homeschool Mom.

And I lived that life for about 2 months until I felt like I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. That's when I had to take a day and come up with a creative solution.

I had to give up my "perfect" mental expectation and find a solution that was creative, met the kids needs, and allowed me to give my undivided attention to the child that needed it.

And believe it or not, I found that solution.

It is possible to homeschool two lower elementary grades with a toddler and keep your sanity!

If you've been the frustrated, frazzled homeschool Mom, then I'd love to help. I'd love to listen to your frustrations and share my strategies to give you back peace and sanity.

Click here to Register: Free Tele-seminar registration

Laura Bankston is author of Internationally selling Cooking with Kids Curriculum: Homeschool Cooking in a Box and the Homeschool Cookbook. She currently home schools her three children, maintains home school support websites, and manages their family-owned service business. For information on her curriculum and free home school support services, please visit https://www.homeschoolcookbook.com

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How to Prevent Back to Homeschool Stress