For part of 2025, I have decided to do blog posts centering around frequently asked homeschool questions. I have been asked these questions or seen them in various online spaces. In many homeschool groups in the online space, ask about the easiest and hardest things about homeschooling. Like most of these last few blog posts, I can only speak about what has been my own experience. My hardest and easiest parts may not be yours, but they may still help shed some light.
The hardest for me has been:
1. Finding a rhythm and balance:
I struggled in the beginning, and it took me a few years and adding in a child to get this down a lot better. Switching to a routine rather than a set time schedule and then switching to year-round schooling helped us find balance and peace within our homeschooling days. Prior to making these switches, I constantly changed things and always felt behind. I finally was able to take a step back and realize that we didn’t have to keep up with anyone but ourselves.
2. Imposter Syndrome & Comparisons
This came through in feeling the need to overcompensate for what my oldest was missing by not going to public school and teaching her how to read. I felt we had to do all the things in order for her to read, have the little book libraries, all the sight word programas and worksheets, etc. When in reality I already had the tools with I just needed to trust the processe. Once I embraced this, schooling went smoothly as well. I still often get homeschooled envy, but then I am reminded of our why, and that helps ground me and refocus me.
3. Being Pulled in Four Directions
This cannot be helped, but let us face it: mommas of multiples often feel this. But we chose to have four children, and we chose to homeschool. Every child we have added has truly been a blessing, and I have learned to adjust and adapt as each new season has come upon us. I will be sharing more of this later this year as we will be making changes to our school day next year, that as of now having four kiddos has lead us to change. My big girls have been amazing at handling the changes. They understand they often have to wait or have to fill in the gaps independently or step up and include littles in their school work to spend time with them and fill their social needs buckets. I truly feel that our rhythms and schedules have helped prepare the way for this.
The Easiest Things For Me Have Been:
1. Actually Teaching
If you have been with us for a while, you know that I started as a teacher, and it is what I had originally intended for my career. God had other plans, and I am glad. My experience in college and substitute teaching was preparing the way to homeschool our children. So, the actual teaching of lessons, laying things out, and getting things done is the easiest part for me. Trying not to do it all maybe should have been in the list of the hardest part for me. I enjoy teaching my children, and I truly love watching those lightbulb moments happen.
2. Eager to Learn Kiddos
My kiddos absolutely have loved school and have embraced homeschooling as their nrm. This truly helps make homeschooling work for us. Even when we struggle, we are able to find solutions that work and adapt to make things enjoyable once again.
3. Knowing What Fits Our Needs
I am usually able to see when things just are not working for us or, when things need to be adjusted or are just plain overwhelming. Occassinaly it sneaks up on me, but we are pretty adaptable and able to find solutions and readjust from there. Wether we need to switch curriclums or just how we use the curriculum or if we need to add in supplements to gain understanding.
I hope this post has answered any questions you may have had about how the hardest and easiest parts of homeschooling for me have been. If not, feel free to comment under this blog post or contact me via our Facebook Page or Instagram. If you want more in-depth conversations, check out our Facebook Parent Group.
Remember that this post is part of a series of FAQ’s regarding homeschooling. This is the proposed schedule of past and future topics:
How do I start?
Am I even qualified to Teach My Child?
Who Holds You Accountable?
But What About Graduating and Issuing a Diploma?
What Should My Child Be Learning?
How Do I Choose Curriculum and What About the Cost?
How Long Does It Actually Take?
But What About Socialization?
What is the Hardest Part?
What Types of Schooling Are There?
What Do I Need to Homeschool?
How Can I Be Around My Kid All Day?
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