How Do You Perform as a Homeschool Parent? 6 Signs That You’re Doing Right

Homeschool parents have a lot on their plate. Not only do they carry the day-to-day responsibilities of being Mom and/or Dad, but they also need to fill the role of many teachers, covering a huge range of subjects, while also keeping the rest of the family happy.

Yikes! It’s no surprise some parents feel overwhelmed.

But here’s the thing few people tell you: even long-standing homeschool families still have shaky days. And when it comes to being a homeschool parent, you’re probably doing better than you think.

So, take a deep breath. Sit back. And take a read of this: if you’ve ticked off one, or more, of the following 6 ways of working, then you’re doing just fine.

1.  You’ve set specific goals

In homeschool, you can set your own pace.

Generally speaking, you’ll get through content faster — as your child has undivided attention. But this can have its drawbacks, too. If you don’t have structured goals, it’s easy to find yourself at a loss for what you want (and need) to do next.

As a homeschool parent, you need goals as much as your kids do. Once you’ve set them, you have a clear idea of what you and your kids need to achieve — both in the short term and over the year. What would ‘success’ look like by the end of each semester? What would you like your kid to have developed or achieved? By having something to work towards, it’s way easier to stay motivated when the going gets tough.

Just remember to figure out what your plan is if you finish sooner than you expected!

2.  You’re proactive about your learning plan

On the subject of goals, it’s no good ‘setting and forgetting’ your plans. Things change, and your plan should change along with them.

That’s what’s so great about homeschooling — you can up the hours on a certain topic (if your student is struggling or just loving it!) and move through topics that don’t seem to engage in the same way.

If you’re proactively taking control of your child’s learning, and flexing the syllabus to suit their needs, then you’re certainly on the right track.

3.  You’ve done your research (specifically on state requirements!)

Different US states have different homeschool laws, and forgetting to research them is a classic newbie error. If you’ve already done this, great! You’re one step ahead. And if not, don’t panic — here’s what you need to know…

State requirements are not ‘one-size-fits-all’. Some expect you to follow a state-mandated curriculum, while others are more relaxed on what you teach. Some need you to officially declare your intent to homeschool, while others don’t need to know.

Not sure about the homeschool laws where you’re living? No problem, just ask around. Either a fellow homeschool parent can point you in the right direction, or you can turn to the Home School Legal Defense Association to find out. It’s better to get any misunderstandings out of the way, as soon as you can.

4.  You have a designated homeschooling space in your home

As a homeschool parent, you have complete control over your child’s learning environment. While ‘traditional’ classrooms can be noisy and busy, your homeschool set-up will probably be quieter and a little more… peaceful.

But when it comes to procrastination, homeschool can almost be worse. There’s TV, the backyard, a fridge full of food — these are all wonderful distractions for kids at home!

The solution? A dedicated workspace. A special desk, seat, or even ‘classroom’ in the home can create a mental structure for you and your child. When you’re in this area you can ‘get in the zone’ and limit distractions. And when you’re not, you can have the fun and relaxation of home comforts.

Your homeschool space can still be homely and relaxing, of course. If tables, chairs and a blackboard aren’t your things, then that’s totally fine — have some fun with it! The most important thing is to keep a space reserved that you and your kids associate with learning.

If you don’t have your environment set up yet, we highly recommend it!

5.  You’re actively seeking support

As a homeschool parent, it’s totally normal to feel alone sometimes. But there’s a huge community of help and support out there, just waiting to hear from you!

Honestly, making homeschool work long-term is all about getting help when you need it — so why not join a local homeschool group? Whether online or in-person, being part of a community allows you to share your experiences, socialize, and give your kids the chance to interact as well. You can even organize field trips, get-togethers, or joint projects!

As the old saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child — but it takes one to educate them, too.

6.  You’re not trying to reinvent the wheel

True, homeschool gives you the freedom to teach your kid(s) how you want. But if you’re spending all your time lesson planning and worrying about resources, you’re going to reach burn out very quickly indeed.

So here’s our last secret to share: pre-made homeschool bundles are a lifesaver.

Worksheets, ideas, projects, experiments, and fun activities all enrich your child’s learning experience — and they’re easy to find online!

Remember, your time is precious. With so much outside support available, don’t feel you have to do everything yourself to be a great homeschool parent.

Wondering how to be better at homeschooling? These tips will help you out

At the end of the day, homeschooling is a real challenge.

You’ll have great weeks, and not-so-good weeks, and that’s all part of the experience. Take it one step at a time, reach out for support when you need it, and don’t feel you need to reinvent the wheel!

With a KidsKonnect membership, you’ll have access to thousands of topics and countless downloadable, customizable worksheets. A quick browse will take so much of the weight off your shoulders, and our blog is packed-full of homeschool tips and tricks. Don’t go it alone — we’re here to help.