Honest Advice From A Homeschool Mom Of 6

Hey friends, this is the last post for my roundup series. I hope you’ve enjoyed the compilations put together. So that also means that my time off is over, and I am back. For the final post in this series, I wanted to give you some honest advice from a homeschool mom of 6.

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Being a homeschool mom and momtrepreneur requires understanding balance. Not the zen-like balance of teeter totter, but more like the balance of walking a tightrope. It is not easy, but it can be done.

Advice from a Homeschool Mom

There is probably a whole lot more that could be said on this topic. But here is my best attempt to give you some honest advice from a homeschool mom and mom boss.

How to Work from Home (with kids): 5 Ways to be More Productive

Have you discovered that things you were told couldn’t be done, when there are no other options you find that it can be done. Something strange happened in 2020. In case you missed it, the world was turned upside down. These “unprecedented” and “strange” times forced us to take a long hard look at how we work. Which led to most of us becoming remote workers and homeschool mom.

The question was being asked all over the world: How to work from home with kids? Then everyone discovered that it could be done because it had to be. Necessity is the mother of invention. For me this was just another day at the office. Since I have been doing this for a number of years now. It is a revolutionary idea that moms can work from home, with children, and still be highly productive.

Homeschooling Multiple Grades: Working with All Ages

Homeschooling multiple grades can be a juggling act and requires your mom multitasking skills. A lot of moms, when starting out homeschooling, make the mistake of assuming homeschooling is public schooling at home. We picture ourselves standing in front of a white board, with our well-behaved kids sitting properly at their desks. And we teach our hearts out. When you are homeschooling multiple grades this is just not an accurate picture.

But it is possible to work from home and be a homeschool mom. And succeed at both.

How to Choose the Best Homeschool Curriculum for Your Tribe

I had an epiphany a few years ago, the sudden intuitive perception kind, about curriculum. As I was banging my head against the wall for the millionth time because I was frustrated with the curriculum and so was my son. I realized something. Part of the reason we homeschool is so we can tailor curriculum and teaching to each child. I don’t need to force my kids into a specific curriculum that we both end up hating.

If you’ve been a parent for any length of time, you know your child is unique. There are no two children alike. There may be similarities in personality, but every child is different. And homeschooling breaks the one-size fits all mold of a traditional classroom. So how do you pick the best homeschool curriculum for your child?

But What About Socialization: Social Opportunities for Kids

Today we are going to talk about the biggest question always asked by new homeschoolers. What about socialization? What social opportunities are there for kids? Mom you and your kids needs a social life. As a homeschool mom, you need adult interaction, and your kids need to make friends.

As a second generation homeschooler I’ve heard this question or comment for over 25 years.

Most of the time it is a sincerely asked question, but it is rooted in a myth.

Before we dive in, let me say this. My intention is not to be controversial, but to calm any fears from my personal experience. Here’s the myth: kids can only make friends or be social in a school setting.

5 Practical Tips to Keep Grades for School When You Hate to Grade

Grading. This is the dreaded task. You know the kind of task you need to psyche yourself up for days ahead of time. And grading for 4 kids multiplies this feeling by 4. Teaching multiple grades, figuring out the right curriculum, and keeping grades for school, it can get overwhelming. Keeping grades is not my favorite thing to do, but over the years, through trial and error, I’ve found a system that works.

If you are feeling mom guilt when it comes to keeping grades for school, banish it. You homeschool because you want to tailor curriculum and teaching for your child, not because you love to grade. Give yourself permission to hate this part. I will let you in on a secret, teachers don’t like to grade either. You are in good company.

How to Teach a Homeschooling Co-op Class

Do you think about joining a homeschooling co-op, but you aren’t sure how you can contribute? Are you fresh out of ideas for a co-op class? There is good news! You can easily create a class that you will love to teach and will be fun for kids too.

And if you are hesitating because you don’t feel like you have anything to give. Let me tell you mom, you do. Share your knowledge and gifts. You have something to contribute.

Lifestyle of the Homeschool Mom and Momtrepreneur

This is a bonus. Here is the transcript from a homeschool conference I spoke at during the summer. I hope you enjoy the slightly out of the box style.

The discussion centered around our culture and lifestyle of most families needing two incomes. So you face the predicament, you want to give your kids a great education, but at the same time you still need to contribute to the family budget. How can you realistically be a homeschool mom and momtrepreneur?

Conclusion: Homeschool Mom Advice

Mom some days can get really rough as a homeschool mom and momtrepreneur. Remind yourself of why you are homeschooling your kids. Whether it is to be the biggest influence in their lives during their most formative years. Or to give them more opportunity to learn outside of a one-size fits all model. Whatever your reasons are, remind yourself of them and don’t let them go because this is your calling, mom.