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10 ways to start easy this homeschool year

ByKara S. Anderson

I’ve been homeschooling for 13+ years, I haven’t graduated one kid, and I switch things up ALL THE TIME.

So let’s face it — I don’t know everything about homeschooling.

On the other hand, 13 years is a fair amount of time, and I’m still at it, and I am really good (if I do say so myself) at starting well.

So here is what I recommend to parents starting out homeschooling this year:

  1. Go to the library and get your fines in order. We currently owe $28 for two books that took a summer vacation under my daughter’s bed. It’s super cute when your kids get their first library card, and they are so excited! But then they want to use them, and you’re trying to keep track of books checked out on three different cards, and it’s like your brain is trying to juggle flaming library card batons. So start with a clean slate.

Planning

2. Plan out extracurriculars for your first “semester.” My rule is that the kids can pick one activity at a time — music lessons, sports, Brownies, whatever. More than that, and we start living on frozen pizzas. Make a rule that works for you.

3. Figure out what your weeks are going to look like. I am a big rhythm fan. I like to know what’s going on so that I can talk and argue less. So I like the idea of having set days to do things — Mondays are library days. Friday is co-op. Or whatever.

4. Know that your plans are going to get screwed up some weeks. Other cool stuff will come up. People will need to visit the dentist. This is just your general plan.

5. Figure out what you want your days to look like. I’ve seen this described a lot of different ways in the homeschool-verse: make a schedule, find your rhythm, create a flow-chart, whatever … but write down a basic idea of how you want things to go and when you are going to do things. Focus on the big stuff (in our house that’s reading together, math and allowing the kids time to pursue interests) and go from there.

6. Schedule some down-time every day. Even when you have big kids and especially if you have introverted or sensitive kids.

Purchasing

7. Buy some new stuff. Because it’s the start of school and it’s fun. And you want to begin again. And you’re all full of beans.

8. Don’t buy too much new stuff. Don’t buy stuff for the whole year. Instead, take some money (I’m serious) and put it in two envelopes: label one November Slump, and pull it out the day after Halloween when you have a sugar hang-over and are questioning your sanity.

Label the second one February Hell, and pull it out around Valentine’s Day when the weather feels like it’s trying to kill you and your kids are climbing the walls and you just want to hide and eat those Dove chocolates without bothering to read the inspirational messages inside.

Set Yourself up for Success

9. Plan something fun. As more and more school buses start clogging up your neighborhood, hit the drive-through for donuts or have a backyard waterpark day.

Take a picture and put it somewhere you’ll see it all the time, and when your child is whining during math, or breaks a pencil out of frustration because writing one sentence is JUST SO HARD, look at that picture, and pack everyone up and go for ice cream and start over.

10. Make a plan to take care of you. Right now. Think about what makes you feel good. Do you love good books? Do you love at-home spa treatments? Do you love fancy coffee?

Write down 9 or 10 things that make you feel good and commit to doing at least one every month. Do not feel one bit guilty.

This is how you’re going to fill your bucket, so you can fill everyone else’s. It’s important. It’s vital. Please — do it for your kids, your husband and because you deserve it.

That’s it!

Happy homeschooling!

Kara

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49 Comments

  1. I am reading our way through curriculum right now and am hoping to write up a daily rhythm (that includes cleaning this time!) this week. We are taking the month of February OFF. Art, experiments, ice skating and museums. I can’t deal with February any more.

  2. I am reading our way through curriculum right now and am hoping to write up a daily rhythm (that includes cleaning this time!) this week. We are taking the month of February OFF. Art, experiments, ice skating and museums. I can’t deal with February any more.

  7. I was going to write a post about this – finding our rhythm, writing it down, planning – but now I don’t have to! You wrote what was in my head. Fabulous ways to begin the “school year” anew! Love that you’ve added nurturing self-care into your monthly rhythm also! I am learning how vitally important (and easily forgotten) taking time out to fill my own bucket is – even more so for homeschooling families! Thank you for sharing <3

  8. I was going to write a post about this – finding our rhythm, writing it down, planning – but now I don’t have to! You wrote what was in my head. Fabulous ways to begin the “school year” anew! Love that you’ve added nurturing self-care into your monthly rhythm also! I am learning how vitally important (and easily forgotten) taking time out to fill my own bucket is – even more so for homeschooling families! Thank you for sharing <3

  9. You hit the nail on the head! Love it! I’m sooo ready to start again and i love that it’s ok that I planned an hour every afternoon for ME!!!!

  10. You hit the nail on the head! Love it! I’m sooo ready to start again and i love that it’s ok that I planned an hour every afternoon for ME!!!!

  17. Love the envelopes and nap time! We do “quiet time” everyday too….because I need it more so than my 8 year old!

  18. Love the envelopes and nap time! We do “quiet time” everyday too….because I need it more so than my 8 year old!

  19. The November Slump and February Hell advice might be the best homeschooling tip I have ever heard! Love it. 🙂

  20. The November Slump and February Hell advice might be the best homeschooling tip I have ever heard! Love it. 🙂

  21. Kara, you are so cute and fun! I LOVE your sense of humor. The money envelope idea is brilliant and hilarious. And thanks for the great pampering list idea! xoxo

  22. Kara, you are so cute and fun! I LOVE your sense of humor. The money envelope idea is brilliant and hilarious. And thanks for the great pampering list idea! xoxo

  23. Fun list! I still have a naptime at my house, too, even though I have teens and pre-teens. I lie down while the kids read.

  24. Fun list! I still have a naptime at my house, too, even though I have teens and pre-teens. I lie down while the kids read.

  25. This is good stuff. I’m using all of it. Will you please re-share this in November and February? I have been thinking about signing my daughter up for horse riding lessons but just decided to hold off until February. 🙂

  26. This is good stuff. I’m using all of it. Will you please re-share this in November and February? I have been thinking about signing my daughter up for horse riding lessons but just decided to hold off until February. 🙂

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  29. Thank you for this. I quit eating tortilla chips at 9 in the morning, and paid my library fines online instead.

  30. Thank you for this. I quit eating tortilla chips at 9 in the morning, and paid my library fines online instead.

  31. Wonderful advice, thank you! I love the part about February Hell…I’m glad I’m not the only one who wants to DIE every February! I’ve been struggling with taking care of myself, well, for the 6 years I’ve been a mom. But I’m trying to get better at that because it benefits everyone. Thanks for the encouragement and great ideas!

  32. Wonderful advice, thank you! I love the part about February Hell…I’m glad I’m not the only one who wants to DIE every February! I’ve been struggling with taking care of myself, well, for the 6 years I’ve been a mom. But I’m trying to get better at that because it benefits everyone. Thanks for the encouragement and great ideas!

  35. Bahaha! I love the idea of saving money to buy new stuff for the “November Slump” and “February Hell!” I’m both looking forward to and dreading starting next week (I’ve been enjoying summer!).

  36. Bahaha! I love the idea of saving money to buy new stuff for the “November Slump” and “February Hell!” I’m both looking forward to and dreading starting next week (I’ve been enjoying summer!).

  39. Love this February plan, too. I’m going to fund all of museums and maybe some new art supplies with my “February Envelope” as per Kara’s awesome suggestion!

  40. Love this February plan, too. I’m going to fund all of museums and maybe some new art supplies with my “February Envelope” as per Kara’s awesome suggestion!

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  46. I was just wondering yesterday why you weren’t in my inbox much. You make me laugh. This is the best post ever. 🙂

  47. I love the way your posts remind me that homeschooling is not rocket science – it really is doable year after year, and these 10 steps never get old. I can’t tell you how much peace that brings me! Thank you, friend!

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