A new school year bring opportunity to Fresh smell of newly sharpened #2 pencils and the scent of pink rectangle erasers fill the room. It’s time, time for the school year to begin! Our mommy hearts explode with joy as we rip into the brand new shipment of school curriculum. Quickly, we call a friend to share the steal-of-a-deal we found at the used book sale!
Finally, the day we have been waiting for arrives. The first day of school! We take pictures of our beloved kiddos holding little signs, proudly displaying their new grade. All too quickly, the newness wears thin and in sets reality. We vowed this year was going to be different, yet, once again the long hard days have returned. Rest assured, the mundane tasks of phonics, flash cards, and fractions are meaningful investments into your child’s future and God’s Kingdom.
Amongst the madness. . .
here are five tips to ward off distraction and cultivate focus in homeschool:
- Schedule Purposefully
We all know the saying, “Jack of trade’s master of none.” Homeschooling is a ministry, an important one! To preserve its importance keep a simple schedule. Otherwise, we are easily distracted by feeling overwhelmed. Over-involvement leads to stress. Figure out what activities each family member enjoys, and then allow each to participate in one, their most favorite. This is especially important for mom as multitasking comes with the territory. However, over-zealous multitasking a.k.a. Super Mom Syndrome (my alter ego) is an echo of pride in our life. A place we are leaving God and His wisdom out of the equation. If you are feeling torn on which to choose change the schedule often. My daughter likes soccer and ballet, so she plays soccer in the fall and is enrolled in ballet during the spring. A little unorthodox, I admit, but it saves my sanity. One day she will favor one over another until then we are having fun in the moment! If you have a large family limit choices and combine outings by allowing each age group participate in the same extracurricular. Finally, before sending the RSVP, ask yourself do you truly need to attend the event or co-op field trip? Will attending benefit me, my family, or my lesson plan? Purposeful scheduling will eliminate chaos and bring a sense of calm to the home.
- Be Organized
Be organized and homeschool HA! Sounds like a joke, right?! Think about it, are you less distracted when things are running smoother in your home? The purpose of being organized isn’t to become Pinterest perfect. We live in our homes day in and day out. Our goal is to keep the mayhem down to a soft roar. God is not a God of disorder but of peace 1 Corinthians 15:33NIV. We can believe this promise and slowly implement changes in our home. Families are a team so everyone should help maintain the home. Dad your participation and especially your encouragement goes along way! In my Schoolhouse Teacher’s daily “Joy in the Morning” I will be sharing tips on how to organize your home, along with tips for cleaning your heart and recipes. Come by and partake!
- Clear Expectations
As moms, we often feel like a broken record, it’s annoying. Because so, it’s easy to slide into the role of Drill Sergeant or worse become disconnected, a mom just surviving the moment. Sure we want our children to be independent and just do what we ask. However, we also have to ask ourselves, are we truly available? Is there a flow in our day or do we easily fall prey to distractions? Our children mimic our behavior. If we are distractible or irritable they will become the like. It’s important to figure out realistic expectations. Take time every day to sit down with each child noting progress. Make sure they understand your expectations. Then set reasonable consequences for when they do not follow. Personally, I struggled to find appropriate consequences for my oldest. Then we switched from grounding to repetitive sentence writing and I saw a positive change. I stayed calm, and she wrote the lesson learned until my expectations clear. As often as good character traits emerge encourage the child…. Encourage a lot!
- Follow Through
In our microwave society we want to see change happen fast and easy. It’s challenging, but the best way to keep distractions at bay is to follow through with our plan. Think up a plan to create better focus in your home, write it down, and watch it take place. It may take weeks or months but below is a promise to stand on. The same is true with curriculum, don’t quit after a few lessons give it your best for a semester, at least, before throwing in the towel.
Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. Habakkuk 2:2-3 NIV
- Rest
We will have more distractions on the days we skipped our quiet time, we need to rest in the Lord. Be sure to get as much sleep as possible during the night so you can wake rested. Being a night-owl by nature, I have to give myself a bedtime. Getting plenty of sleep with babies can be challenging, so give yourself a break. Take a day off when you need it, or schedule a week, then get back to the plan. Changing it as your family’s needs change. Distractions are not an indication of our poor effort, but an opportunity to allow God to come into a weakness and to make us stronger!
Whatever distractions you may be struggling with today remember…
Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit. (Psalm 147:5)
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)
Have you been taking time to cultivate focus or are you struggling with it?
Do any of these tips help or do you have others to add?
Please feel free to leave a question for our Homeschool Expert – Michelle loves to encourage other women and share the love of Christ. Get regular encouragement and ideas from her here and on her blog Blooming with Joy.
Get Michelle’s books (Cleaning Survival Guide & Motivate Kids to Clean Chore Charts) from her store HERE.
[metaslider id=3064]