Surviving Homeschooling

The majority of us marry for love not lunch and definitely not to home school our children! 

While some parents may have embraced the notion of becoming their children’s teacher, many have not and from my quick straw poll of work colleagues and clients trying valiantly to motivate their kids and keep them engaged in their education,  the majority have not embraced the task and most of the kids want to go back to school – who ever thought! 

So for those of you who are struggling, take a few deep breaths and give yourself a big pat on the back for getting this far. It’s not easy and any progress in your education (you will be learning too!) and your children’s must be seen as a win. 

Below are a few tips that might help you and your child struggle through the next weeks and put you in a better place for homework in the future and revision for those big exams.

I know its obvious – but in the mists of time and the panic of the reality of relocating the school room, the obvious may be forgotten.

A purpose made space for working will benefit your kids learning. If it possible this should be out of their bedrooms, it could be a cupboard under the stair, remove the door, it could be in a little niche, but it should be the designated spot for learning

• If you have time and the inclination get the paint brush out with your children and create a special zone for this area – bold paint colours or pretty patterns but make it different. It should say that this is my work zone where I study.

• Tidy, Tidy, Tidy. Tidy desk, tidy mind and it really does help children to concentrate. Consider a new desk, Ikea have a great selection which don’t have to break the bank or look on Esty or eBay for something more individual. 

• Purchase or make some simple shelves above to store books and files but remember to give the shelves ends and make sure they are large enough to accommodate the files and biggest books. For the smaller kids try to make sure the at the shelves are placed at a suitable height, this may be to the side,  for smaller children and that they can engage in the process of putting their books away after each lesson. It’s an achievement for you and them to get through each lesson, file the books and move onto the next.

• Good Chair – it doesn’t matter whether you are old or young, a good chair is essential for your support and concentration, so if you are able get your kid a proper desk chair, it doesn’t have to be expensive, but it should be adjustable. Pimp the chair, tinsel, ribbons, pompoms, paint, make it theirs,  a reflection of their personality and someone where they want to sit.

• Stationery – All girls love a bit of stationery whatever the age and for boys too – if you can find some great pots – you could use old jam jars and tins they can store their pens and pencils. A great art lesson is for the kids to draw and decorate their pen pots, using glass markers, stickers, ribbons etc.

• Pop a lamp on the desk or hang something above but make sure the area is sufficiently well lit, again Ikea do a great range of directional task lighting for not much money.

• Pinboard – either buy one online or get a piece of fabric and cover a piece of board – if you are worried about your children using pins then use ribbons stapled across the board and firm attached on the wrong side – alternatively paint the wall behind their desk in gloss paint and allow them to use blu tak to stick up their notes and cards.

• A dust bin is always useful for the rubbish too!

Above all make sure that your children engage in the process of setting up this special area with them. The more they embrace their new space, the better they will respond.

Then give yourself a break, you are doing a great job!