Managing Stress: Tips for Homeschooling Parents

You chose homeschooling for your child’s education. Maybe you made the decision because you feel home is a safer environment, or you wanted to protect your child from bullies. Perhaps a chronic illness makes in-person school more challenging, or you disagree with the public school’s curriculum.

Whatever reason you have for homeschooling, you are both excited and nervous. Homeschooling carries responsibilities and stresses that no one may have prepared you for. Not to mention the time crunch of being with your child 24/7 with few breaks. This can exacerbate stress for parents who have little help. Managing stress is possible with a few daily tweaks in your school day.

Managing Stress: Tips for Homeschooling Parents

Managing stress during the school day is possible with a few changes in your routine. Your family might be experiencing stress if you are not following at least a flexible schedule. Children thrive on routine. Knowing what schedule you plan to implement to cover specific subjects gives your child something to look forward to and security. If you cover all subjects daily, consider how your child learns best.

For example, maybe your child is more focused in the morning, so concepts in subjects like Math or Science might be better absorbed at that time. Play around with the schedule and routine to see what works best for both of you.

The following are several tips for managing stress as a homeschool parent.

Use What is Available

Many curricula are now available as online platforms that also record grades and attendance. This can make it easier to submit reports twice a year. Don’t try to reinvent the wheel. Most programs include extra resources to help students and parents.

If you homeschool through an association, check with them about the resources and support they may offer. Check with your local community center or library if they host homeschool activities.

Use Playtime for You Time

Recess is an important time of the day for your child to get some exercise outdoors, if possible. Playtime can also equal exercise time for you. Choose a few activities you can do together outdoors.

If you let your child play on a playset, find a way to participate. If it rains, let your child play while you stream a walk at home, strength training, or flexibility training video. Exercise can boost your mood and make it easier to manage stress.

Use Positive Coping Mechanisms

Introduce your child to positive coping mechanisms they can use between subjects or during a test. Try fidget toys if your child has test anxiety. These toys help keep your child’s hands busy while focusing on the material. You can all use your breaks as creative outlets. Consider drawing, sketching, Play-Doh, slime, and listening to music.

Feed Everyone Nourishing Food

Ultra-processed food can make it harder for your child to concentrate on schoolwork. For children who struggle with conditions like ADHD, processed foods can make them more restless. Choose minimally processed whole foods to nourish your child’s body and mind. Try to serve lunch at the same time daily as a nourishing break. Don’t forget to eat your lunch, too.

Be Willing to Pivot

Obstacles will come up often in homeschooling. The secret is to be flexible in your scheduling and lesson plans. Recognize that some obstacles can serve as learning opportunities. When you pivot around a problem and continue making progress, you teach your child perseverance and determination. Don’t get angry when something interrupts your school day. Take a breath and smile, then find a way around it.

Take More Breaks on Hard Days

Some days (and some subjects) are just more challenging than others. When these days occur, take more breaks. For example, if your child struggles in Math and the test is today, review for the test, take a small break, give him the test, and then take another small break before moving on.

Consider waiting until the next day or playing a game before starting a new unit. These small breaks also help you regroup and refocus. Use your break to read, watch a funny video, or take a brisk 10-minute walk with your child. The release of endorphins will make you both feel better.

Seek Help for Stress

Homeschooling is still the best option for your family. You can overcome stress and anxiety with positive coping skills. If you struggle with managing stress, reach out to our office today to schedule a session with a Christian counselor. We would love to help you and watch your homeschool excel.