There are just some times where I ask myself Should I quit homeschooling?
As a homeschooling mother, you are responsible for your child’s or children’s education and all the other regular mommy stuff as well.
You are responsible for teaching them math, spelling, science, history, and to read.
When you are more concerned with finishing that math textbook while disregarding your child’s tears, it may be time to quit homeschooling.
When you lose your patience and use less than graceful words with your child, it may be time to quit homeschooling.
When you are yelling why oh why can’t I just send you to public school, it may be time to quit homeschooling.
When you blame your child for their weaknesses and fail to encourage or uplift them, it may be time to quit homeschooling.
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Should I Quit Homeschooling?
For the day at least. Or maybe a week. You are their mother first and foremost, and when you forget to give them a hug while they have tears in their eyes, you need to put your teacher hat away and be their mom.
Sometimes I get so wrapped up in wanting to finish the math program or staying on a schedule that I forget that I’m not only their teacher but their mother as well. A mother who should be able to tell when their child is feeling upset. A mother who should be looking out for their best interests. Isn’t that why we started homeschooling in the first place?
If you haven’t gotten enough sleep or coffee, if you are in a grouchy mood, recognize that this may be a day that you takes things a little more easily.
Recognize your triggers, a happy mommy makes a happy home.
I’m guilty of letting my voice betray my disappointment at times, but I’m working on it. I am not perfect.
Know when to call it quits for the day, eat some ice cream, play a board game, or go on a nature walk. Do whatever it takes to remind them that you do know what is best for them. That it may be time to quit homeschooling for the day, to replenish your relationship, because you and only you are blessed to be their mother and have them in your life.
If you really can’t do it, there are mother’s who have some of their kids in public school and other kids at home. Or sometimes their child goes to a part-time public school. They can also take online classes or join a co-op to alleviate that stress of being the only person teaching your child.
Personalities can clash and if that is becoming detrimental to your relationship, then you do need to come up with a plan.
A plan to take care of yourself, so you can take care of your family.
Change those bad habits, get outside, enjoy nature with your kids. Remember what it’s like to just be their mom.
It can be tiring to switch that teacher hat to a mom hat but you’ll be their mother no matter if you’re homeschooling or not.
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sara says
April 26, 2013 at 3:28 pmI’m sure every home school mom has had days like this. I know I have. A great reminder to remember that you are mom also and learning to be able to see things from both sides can be difficult, but also can be very rewarding!
Monique says
October 30, 2013 at 10:29 pmI’m glad to know I’m not alone.
Elisebet F says
April 26, 2013 at 5:09 pmWe haven’t started homeschooling yet (my son’s just under a year), but I do plan to. Even so, there are days that I just have to get us out of the house and doing something fun…just enjoying being together!
Vonnie says
April 26, 2013 at 5:50 pmI was wondering where you were going with this….:-)
Happy children (and mom) = happy learning!
Thanks for the reminder!
Jennifer Hall says
April 27, 2013 at 10:00 amWe all have days like this. The best thing to do is take a break and do something fun with your kid.
Mindy says
April 27, 2013 at 11:24 amExcellent advice. Something I really need to hear right now. I have a hard time remembering to take off the teacher hat and focus on being the mommy! So thank you for the reminder.
Chavonne H says
April 27, 2013 at 5:33 pmI can only imagine how difficult it is to manage everything at home plus be a teacher as well.
Linsey K says
May 3, 2013 at 7:25 pmThere’s no shame in stepping away and taking a deep breath. thanks for the reminder!
Monique says
May 6, 2013 at 2:22 pmDefinitely!
Jodi / Magical Mouse Schoolhouse says
June 12, 2013 at 10:29 amThank you, Monique! I too often get wound up over all that stuff and need to give myself permission to step back and give it a rest for a while.
(Stopping by from the Mom Tested Family Approved homeschool hop!)
Melissa says
October 26, 2013 at 3:10 pmI found your blog through Pinterest and I am loving it! I am having a blast poking through it and reading some very helpful posts. This one is fantastic and I’m pinning it so others can find it too!
I’ve homeschooled before but after a custody battle my oldest ended up in public school. Now I am wanting to homeschool my 2nd grader and kindergartener and preschooler (currently ) for next year. I did promise my hubs I’d give this new school (we moved to another state) a year but I am horribly upset with the curriculum and I am not waiting until the end of the year to start transitioning them. I currently am supplementing their public education at home because this school is re teaching my oldest boy what he learned in kindergarten at his previous school! To keep him from falling behind and keep my other 2 where I want them at we work at home to boost their learning. No homework from school so we have lots of time in the evening. They love working with me and I am feveriously working to map out our next year (their first) of homeschooling. Your blog has given much to soak in and contemplate and I am exceptionally grateful!!!!
Monique says
October 30, 2013 at 10:36 pmThank you, I’m so happy that you enjoy my blog, this just made my day.
Laurie @ Our Abundant Blessings says
January 9, 2014 at 1:40 pmAbsolutely!
We’ve been homeschooling for 16 years now and I have found this to be true. There are definite times when it’s best to just shut the books, walk away, and spend time together doing other things. The book work will still be there. And it can wait. 🙂
Monique says
January 9, 2014 at 1:47 pmYes the work will always be there which is why the relationship is more important.
Tara says
January 13, 2014 at 1:46 pmWhat a very important reminder for every homeschool momma! Thanks for sharing your heart.
Amy says
January 31, 2014 at 2:55 pmFound this on Pinterest and I was actually hoping you were going somewhere else with this post title. I will definitely agree with taking a break when needed and all, but it looks like my break from homeschooling will be a very long one as I return to work, so you can imagine I needed a different sort of post. Actually, returning to work isn’t quite right. I’ve been working from my home and also working a number of odd jobs to help dig us out of a cancer induced financial hole. I just can’t be the mommy and teacher my kids need while doing it all, so I will focus on being the best working mom I can be.
If anyone can point me to some encouragement during this transition, I’d appreciate it. (Hubby kicked cancer butt, BTW)
Monique says
January 31, 2014 at 3:02 pmI was in school full-time while I was homeschooling but I had a lot of support and my husbands schedule permitted it, now I’m home full-time and work from home as well. You just have to do what works for your family.
Susie says
March 7, 2014 at 8:08 amThank you for this reminder about what is truly important, our most important duty to our children and that we are not alone in this journey!
Echo says
March 21, 2014 at 8:59 pmYou are definetly not alone.
All of us feel like this at times.
Some of us, like me, more than others, LOL!
I just wrote a little about it in my most recent post.
I just wanted you to know that you aren’t alone and it’s normal.
Monique says
March 21, 2014 at 9:29 pmIt great to hear that I’m not alone if feeling like this.
Effie says
September 24, 2015 at 6:08 pmFrom the bottom of my heart, thank you for this.
Monique says
September 24, 2015 at 9:11 pmYou’re welcome.
Donna Y says
May 1, 2018 at 1:07 pmI’d choose Starbucks!
Dona says
May 2, 2018 at 10:42 amHobby Lobby!
Amanda says
May 2, 2018 at 12:34 pmI am only just beginning and I am already starting to feel like I won’t be able to pursue this journey! I know I will stick to it because the School System just couldn’t engage my son, (2e), but I am COMPLETELY understanding the struggles they had! I think If I were to win, I would choose Etsy. As an Etsy shop owner myself, I would love to use the winnings to not only purchase some much needed resources but to also support other small business owners!
Lea Shetler says
May 7, 2018 at 9:34 pmWe haven’t started to homeschool yet, but I found this article to be quite interesting. I hope I keep this at the forefront of my mind and heart as we begin. Thank you!
mahdiya says
May 10, 2018 at 4:13 amThis was spot on. We have just started homeschooling it’s been 6 months some days are fantastic and other days not so much. If I win I’d choose zulily, shipping to my country is always expensive so if I had some extra cash I’d only have to pay for shipping yay lol 😅