Do You Need A Homeschool Redo?

You know who you are. You started your school year with every “i” dotted and every “t” crossed. You spent productive days during the summer weeding through every nook and cranny of your house. You set aside planning days for your homeschool, armed with decorated planning journals, washi tape and sparkly pens.

On the first day of school your kiddos posed with cheerful handmade signs heralding new grades and the start of a fresh new year.

I had the best intentions…I promise. I researched and planned. I bought new sparkly pens. I made an attempt at tackling our home office/schoolroom (though that certainly is a work in progress). It was going to be the year I divided and conquered! I was going to move on into the new school year prepared and sparkly! I even planned a “Back to School” dinner to celebrate.

Our first week of school was a comedy of errors. Mostly centered around a nasty virus that my son picked up. I need to tell you that the boy never gets sick.

Nothing like getting knocked down before you have even had time to get up. That boy was sick all week long. Before too long, that bug decided it liked me a little, too.

When our son finally did perk up enough to start school, I had basically lost my mojo. The laundry was moldering, I had served hot dogs more than once that week and my new sparkly plans didn’t seem so sparkly any more.

In addition to that, my personal goals I had for myself seemed to take a back seat to the crisis mode I found myself in. Those morning walks were non-existent. And there wasn’t simply enough time to journal.

Our annual “Back to Homeschool” traditions like having cupcakes for breakfast and going on a nature walk had been thwarted.

I stopped and decided I needed a redo.

How does one go about a redo? You simply stop what you’re doing, look around and decide what needs your attention first.

I decided that my house needed a bit of attention. So, I put a load of laundry in. I lit a candle and put on an audio book. I gave my son a list of chores he’s responsible for and we worked while listening to The Hobbit.

I called it Home Economics and Literature.

I put an easy, but healthy, pot of chili in the crockpot and rearranged my sparkly pens. I set my timer for 15 minutes and tackled my bathroom….all the while the sounds of The Hobbit echoed through our little house.

Before long the laundry pile had decreased in size and my fridge had been relieved of the science experiments growing in the back, Bilbo entered a fantastic adventure and we could smell spicy chili bubbling in the crockpot.

In between the loads of laundry and toilet scrubbing that week, we watched an old Western and lounged around with big bowls of popcorn. This time around I included my son in our “Back to Homeschool” plans. He’s decided he would like to make the cupcakes this year and wants to walk down by the river for our nature walk.

Our homeschool will never be perfect. The little house will never stay sparkly. However, I am comforted with the thought that we can always take a step back and concentrate on what is important. I have come to recognize that it’s okay if I need to stop and regroup. That I can change what is not working and focus more on the relationship with my son.

So if you need to, don’t be afraid to just stop. Take a breather. Take a walk. Read a book. Read several books. Set your timer for 15 minutes and tackle a household chore that needs to be addressed. Rearrange your sparkly pens. Give those kiddos a hug. These years are short, my friends.

Rebekah Teague is the homeschooling mama to one busy and beautiful boy. She is married to The Muffin who is a pastor and a really great guy. In her spare time she can be found with a book and a cup of tea. She blogs at There Will Be A $5 Charge For Whining.