Margaret Madison

I’m not an expert. I just homeschooled every day and learned as I went. I was always looking for ways to be better for my kids. I read lots and lots of books, attended conferences, and worked with other homeschooling families. I would study the material every day to prepare to teach. Sometimes, I would learn alongside my child because let’s face it, it takes time to do this and sometimes you just don’t have enough of it. 

And sometimes adults can sabotage their child’s potential by expressing their own fear, procrastinating, not trying new things, their reaction or lack of reaction to something that happens. Children pick up on all that is going on whether you realize it or not. It is important to share age appropriate challenges you may have and not suck your child into your problems or fears or drama.

Don’t Just REACT, RESPOND in a Gentle Way, JUST BREATHE

A lot of people dislike math, for example, and their child can take on their parents’ view. I have heard people say I can’t teach math because I am terrible at it or they hated it. It doesn’t matter how you feel about a subject. To be a teacher you have to just learn it before you teach it. That could be weeks, days, or minutes before you teach. If you can’t do that, learn it as you are go or hire a tutor.

Try not to let it show you hate it or tell them you are sorry that you are not great at that subject, whatever subject that is. Or find someone to help you. A tutor, parent, or grandparent. You could also do a subject swap with another family. You could help with a subject you are strong with and they could help with the one they are strong in. If you are an artist, teach art. Whatever you love, share it.

Get Out There and Learn Something New

I was a math teacher and I would look at the teacher video a few days before I taught to make sure I remembered the problems being presented. As a homeschool teacher you don’t have to know everything. Really you can’t know everything, especially in the high school years. You just have to learn it or find someone to help you learn it.

Many times, you just have to remind yourself about the problems or subject matter and it will come back to you. Yes, you probably haven’t been in school for many years, but it just may take a little effort to relearn it. Having to learn the lessons I was teaching, either my own children or others, was a highlight to me in the process. I realize not everyone is like that.

Just take it one day at a time, one lesson at a time. For those doing online school your job is to make sure they complete the assignments and be their cheerleader. Even though people seem to have it all together, this is an illusion. No one is perfect. Everyone has bad days where nothing seems to go right.

The difference will be, if you are willing to step out and up, shake off the bad day and start fresh the next day. Or sometimes you will have a bad week. Keep moving forward when you are able again. Don’t let it take you down, whatever “it” is. Seek help when you need it. Ask a teacher, caregiver, neighbor, friend, or someone you know. Help is out there even if you have to go out and find it.

Don’t beat yourself up. No one gets it right every day. We are all a work in progress.

You don’t have to be perfect, just a work in progress towards excellence.