Homeschooling can be such a wonderful way of life, with all sorts of amazing things to learn and do. At times though, it can fall short of your expectations – in spite of the fact that you’re an amazing homeschool parent and your children are totally awesome. Here’s how to get through the boring stuff.
Chances are, you’re already skipping anything you think is dull and unnecessary. But what about the material you think is necessary? You know, the information you feel that your child should know, even if it’s not riveting.
My four ways to get through the boring stuff aren’t rocket science. However, I feel it helps to take a clear look at your options when you’re stuck. Here they are:
- Get Creative
- Get Input
- Soldier On
- Set it aside
Get Creative
I hear parents say they’re not creative all the time. And then I look at what they’re doing with their kids. They may not be teaching their kids to weave or make clay pots. But they’re problem solving all sorts of day to day issues in creative and novel ways. Just like you do. And, I know your kids are creative too. They can help.
Openly acknowledge to your kids that certain things we have to learn can be less than fascinating. Talk about why this learning is essential. Usually, it’s in pursuit of a long-term goal.
For example, if you want to get from point A to point C, you usually need to go through point B. Which may be a boring destination on its own, but well worth the effort to get to that coveted point C, whatever it may be.
So, get creative and explore ways to make the material more interesting. Get your child involved. This is a crucial part of their learning journey. It helps them move from passive student to independent learner.
Get Input
I was talking to a homeschool mom a few weeks ago and she mentioned that she and her daughter were learning about wind. And they’re struggling. So, of course, I jumped in with all sorts of questions for them to investigate…
- How do squirrel nests survive wind storms? Or do they? Lately, I’ve been looking at the nests high up in the trees in our neighborhood, wondering how durable they really are.
- Why do airports still have wind socks when we have all this high tech equipment?
- Why are wind turbines sometimes sitting idle when it’s windy?
- Isn’t there a place in Pueblo that makes wind turbines?
Hmmm. Come to think of it, she didn’t actually ask me for suggestions.
So, first off – if you tell someone you’re struggling, be clear on whether you want suggestions or just a sympathetic listener. (Note to self: In the future, remember to ask if they want any suggestions.)
Homeschoolers are, by nature, pretty independent minded. We don’t always like to be told what to do. But, while suggestions from others may not be exactly what we’re looking for, they may spur new thoughts. Through a combo of ideas from other parents, your children, and yourself, you can often figure out a way to make things more interesting.
Soldier On
Maybe you’ve used up all your creativity for the week. And nobody else’s creativity is sparking your interest. You and your child don’t care about squirrel nests or wind turbines or anything else right now. Sometimes, you need to realize that your creative energies are best used elsewhere.
This is when you need to soldier on. Once again, get your child involved. Help them organize the bullet points. What do they think is important to learn about wind? Ask them what they would test someone on for a basic understanding of wind. Use that as a learning outline. Your child may not finish with an in-depth understanding of wind, but they will have a good grasp on the basics.
Set It Aside
Finally, consider whether you should set the material aside for a while and come back to it. Perhaps your child needs to learn more first or have more maturity before they tackle the topic. Perhaps you need to learn more and then come back to the subject later with more teaching experience. There’s no shame in hitting the pause button. Just make sure you return.
If you believe that some hard to tackle information is necessary, use creativity – your own, your child’s, and others -to find a way through it. Then, if creativity isn’t working, help your child master the basics. And remember, it’s okay to set the information aside for a while. You can return to it later.
Homeschooling is almost always wonderful, but it’s not always easy. It can be downright hard at times. But learning how to get through difficulty is an excellent life skill. Not just for your children. For you, too.
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