The idea of finally starting the first homeschool day can be somewhat dreadful to first-timers. Making your own coffee and breakfast can be an activity you usually love doing every day. Still, because it is the first day of homeschooling, you feel groggy. 

However, always bear in mind that this is not just a “job to finish” but a journey to enjoy. Your child needs your skills and patience; thus, you have to enjoy the process. Your child’s interest will eventually follow. 

Nevertheless, some parents can’t help but feel like they’re dragging themselves into the chaos they’ve created independently. “Why do I have to involve myself in this when there are brilliant and more qualified tutors out there who could educate my child?”  Do you ever have thoughts like this? If yes, then you are making homeschooling more complicated than it has to be. Here are some ideas to help you making homeschooling easier. 

1. You refuse to put the book down.

If your child is interested, they will read their books independently, and your job is to create that interest. You can never impose a set of rules on a child who is not willing to follow. Also, never let it instill fear. 

Allow your child to enjoy the process. Associate their interests on textbook topics. That’s how they will get that book from the bookshelf by themselves without you telling them to.

2. You’re doing everything by yourself.

It is essential to teach your child independence. Although it is your job to impart real-life lessons and values, you should not get used to spoon-feeding your child with all the lessons they need for tomorrow’s quiz. Just don’t overdo it. 

If you think your child can answer the first five questions independently, then let him be. Don’t interrupt his thought process. If he is taking too long to answer the first item, give him clues instead of reprimanding him for not arriving at the accurate answer. 

Your child needs to study with minimal supervision and less interruption, so they can freely dive into deeper thinking.

3. You’re pushing them too hard.

Homeschooling cannot and will never be better than traditional learning methods if the environment you have at home is harsher. 

Suppose you’re creating an oppressive and heavy atmosphere between you and your child. In that case, you have to think twice and reevaluate your decision. Homeschooling is about personalizing your child’s learning experience to make it more effective and enjoyable. 

It is not a parent’s opportunity to bombard them with heavier loads and gain more control over their life.

4. You are comparing them to other children.

One of the main reasons you should shift from traditional learning to homeschooling is to hone your child’s innate skills and increase their confidence in the process. 

So, if you compare your child to other homeschooled children to “motivate” them more, then you’re on the wrong track. 

Your days would be much more peaceful if you focus on your child’s potential than concentrating on other children’s prospects. So, stop comparing your child’s abilities to others. Every child should live their life uniquely and passionately.  Thus, if you find yourself tossing your child into the pit of low confidence, then you can’t be a great homeschooler at all. What you say as a parent will indeed affect how your child views him or herself. 

5. You’re ignoring forecasts.

As the leader of this homeschooling routine, you should plan your lessons way ahead of time. Suppose you want your child to have some outdoor activities on a Thursday morning without knowing that a storm is expected on Wednesday evening. 

In that case, you’ll end up postponing all your planned activities on the spot. Thus, before looking forward to an activity, always consider listening to weather forecasts.