If my homeschool walls could talk, they would be revealing a very sad truth.
You see, here in West Tennessee, it’s back to school time. Our local homeschool group and 4H club have already had their first meetings. Public schools are gearing up. Every time I run into another homeschool mom, I get the question, “When are you starting homeschool?”
Ugh.
I have to admit, and the walls would certainly tell you, I am dreading the thought of starting a new homeschool year. I’ve never faced such a lack of motivation towards Sprite’s academics. Normally I’m eager to plunge into new curriculum and new books. What’s going on with me?
I guess I’ve still not found my American groove when it comes to homeschooling. It should be easier here, and in many ways it is — homeschool groups, extra-curriculur clubs, a public library. But there are unique challenges, mostly related to time management. There are so many options that we didn’t face before. Life was simpler in many ways. So I’m still adjusting.
But August is here, and I must eventually get back to homeschool! So I wrote this post to talk myself into a better frame of mind. (You’re welcome to listen in and get a boost of motivation if you are lacking too.)
1. Self, this is not about you.
Homeschooling is for my daughter. She needs this education. I cannot slack on my job just because I don’t “feel like it.” This must be done! Besides her academic work, you are showing her how to fulfill responsibilities even when we don’t want to.
2. Self, take it easy.
Yes, we have to start back to homeschool, but we don’t have to get crazy too soon either. Let’s think of some ways to ease into this, make it fun, make it appealing. How about a week of field trips to all those places you never made it to over the busy summer? Sprite can do some notebooking afterwards. That sounds low key. We can eat out and hit some downtown thrift stores in the process so the transition to homeschool is painless.
3. Self, go browse the teacher supply store and splurge a bit.
Go walk around the office supply store and imagine school projects with all of those nifty products. Splurge on some new pens or folders. Buying school supplies will help to get you in the mood.
4. Self, the motivation will come.
You know full well that once you jump in there, there will be joy in the process. The hard part is that initial plunge. Go for it! Jump in.
5. Self, pick the best books and curriculum first.
Don’t save the best for last. Come out with all guns blasting. Those good books you have sitting on the shelf are just begging to be read. Read the one you’ve been saving. You didn’t know it then, but you were saving it for now. That ultra-cool curriculum? Go ahead and use it. It doesn’t matter if it’s out of order chronologically. We need a blast of motivation.
6. Self, you don’t have to plan it all now.
Yes, in the past you have always made a yearly plan before the beginning of each school year. But if the planning task is keeping you from doing school, forget it! You don’t have to have a long-term plan to homeschool next week. Just start. You’ve got a general direction. You’ve got materials. Get busy.
7. Self, take breaks.
Call the homeschooling girlfriends for a coffee break on a school night. Or bake a prepared pizza for dinner and retreat to the sewing room for a night of creativity. You’ve got to keep yourself “up” for this homeschool task. Invest in your mental health.
Gulp. I’m feeling better now. I can do this! And I will do this! Anyone else suffering from the “Back to Homeschool Blues” along with me? You can safely confess here. I will totally understand.
I’m glad it’s not just me; I’ve been sitting in front of our goal sheets for a week and they’re still looking very bare. I think a week of field trips will help!
Oh, you might want to get out of my head!! We did start back to school last week; it’s much too hot to do much else here in South Texas. But it’s much more of a “do the next thing” than being totally excited about it! Thank you for this post!!
I’m right with you!
That was a good motivating speech. Now to act
On it
Love them!! Especially #2. 🙂
Been thinking about you, hoping all is well. You’ll get there and for now, that’s what grace is for! Best of luck on your new year, may it be your best one yet :).
It is sad right now that I am lacking motivation during it is our first year but I’m so unmotivated it’s scary. I think part of it is that I feel overwhelmed with everything. Thank you for sharing your feelings. It helps a lot.
I so understand. I’m thinking “Is it really time to jump back into school?”. I’ve never been like this before. Your blog is one of two I read regularly; I’m amazed at how many times we have similar thoughts.
Oh, it is not just me….. thank you!
This is where littles help. I couldn’t put off school any longer. They couldn’t wait any longer to start! My first grader sprints to the school room when I say it’s time for school.
I was low in motivation when there was too much on my plate. Now that we have moved to a new home and dealt with the ‘new home’ logistics, I feel motivated again. I’m actually eager to get back into our home school routine.
Maybe you need take a longer break? Maybe you need to get more off your plate? Maybe it is because this summer wasn’t so much a summer (weather-like)? Maybe a good dose of multi-vitamins will help? Anyway, I can imagine school teachers feel some dread too to start again. It is quite a responsibility.
Maybe feeling some hesitation is perfectly normal! 🙂
Excellent post! You are most definitely not alone. I will come back and read this again. We still have a few weeks before we need to start but I need to start planning next week. #1 of your list really spoke to me. Thank you!
I also sometimes dread to take the plunge … I prefer to “slide” or ease my way into our homeschooling. I also spoke to myself when I wrote about not getting it all done and, like you, find the Lord’s wisdom guides me through those worries and fears.
May your new school year unfold with much joy and grace.
Your “Notes to Self” were very helpful for me too! Thank you!
We had some company over last week and they mentioned that their (public schooled) children were starting classes this Thursday. I had a moment of panic right there. It canNOT be that time already! Yes, it IS August and I should have know it was getting close. But I am SO not ready to start. After working myself into a tizzy over the next couple of days trying to get everything done (cleanning, canning, lesson plans, and caring for a new baby) I had a complete melt down in my daughter’s room as I realized she hadn’t even unpacked from camp (a week later) and her toothbrush was still in her bag (meaning she hadn’t brushed that entire time). Feeling like a complete failure as a mom, I sent my husband an email asking if we could just run away (from the kids) and start over somewhere else. Being the man he is, he redirected my focus back to God, and by the next day I was slightly more balanced. That’s when I gave myself permission to set my own schedule.
If this was something that I was normally in the habit of procrastinating about, I’d be more inclined to bite the bullet and force myself to get started, but I (like you) am normally chomping at the bit to start school. I’m inclined to believe this hesitation is there for a reason, so I’m giving myself a little extra time and we will start after Labor Day.
We relocated in April of 2010 from West TN to Louisiana, let me say it was the worst homeschool year we have ever had. It has taken me a year to adjust and I didn’t even leave the country. We are getting ready to start back and I appreciate your post because like you I am not ready mentally to start up again. With my 14 starting 9th grade I need to get motivated. OK it’s like jumping in a pool, you know it’s cold, but it will feel so good once you make that jump. So, I’m holding my breath and starting on (whimpering,) Thursday (sigh.)
It is not all about us, is it? I forget that sometimes. It is not all about MY homeschooling choices (even thought I want to think it is).
I love your idea of going on field trips and thrift shops for the first week. That sounds like my kind of homeschooling.
Isn’t it easier to keep in motion once you get in motion?
I am totally going to take your advice about doing the “best” first. I have some books on the shelf that fit that category.
I am exactly the opposite of you in that I have not planned very well in years gone past, but I am making a really good effort to plan well this year.
I really need to make more time for self care breaks. Thank you for the reminder.
Thank you very much for this post. I really appreciate it.
Blessings
Honey
I hear you. I JUST got enthused about this school year after sitting in the HOTM conference on Tuesday–the first day that I was able to sit and fully enjoy. Then I refurbished some notebooks following after Amy B.’s idea (saw you commented there, too). Now I’m pumped. You never know from where inspiration will come. My “splurge” was the embellishments for the notebooks. Yours will come, and to your point, you don’t have to have it all together–that’s the joy of homeschool. Blessings, Jimmie!
Oh man, totally appreciate this. I think I was trying to motivate myself, but I wasn’t very convincing… I teared up a bit {I’m PMSing, then again I’m a crier…} reading your ideas for getting going. I love the field trip idea and I think we might do that.
For one reason or another we haven’t made it to quite a few places I wanted to this summer, and I think we might remedy that!
Thank you!
I’m not motivated to start, but like you realize that this is my job and I must do it to the best of my ability. Also, I’m not starting until the third week of September. We always take our vacation when everyone else is starting school. Who says you have to start now?
Thanks for this post! We still have a couple of weeks left to go before we start, but I have nothing planned and no desire to plan anything… our year ended badly, and I’m not looking forward to starting a new one. We’re on holidays right now, and enjoying the rest. I’m hoping I’ll feel a little more motivated when we get home. But you are right, It’s not about me, but unto the Lord (Col 3:23-24).
Most definitely struggling! I could use another whole month of summer (not the heat, mind you). I used to try to plan out the whole year (I like the actual planning rather than the executing, I think), but I just don’t have it in me for this year. So, even though I have my over-arching plan, I’ll just plan weekly for the months ahead.
I am definitely not motivated this year. I’m being very wishy-washy. We did start this past Monday, and it went so smoothly, I can’t help but be encouraged! One more day this week, one more day this week, one more . . .
Those sound like wonderful (ease back in) ideas to me! Enjoy your time together, because that’s what it’s really all about anyway. 🙂
Totally understand, after 14 years at homeschooling, this has to be my most unmotivated year. I’m trying really hard to get at it, although my “me” is struggling. Glad to know there are others feeling the same.
Oh, my. I can hardly stand the thought of starting back to school this year. I keep faking it to my kids, that I’m anxious to get going. I told them we’re not starting till Labor Day though. My brother recently passed away, and for some reason, I can barely stand to go on with life. But go on, I must, and that includes starting school. I’ve decided to start praying for some enthusiasm so that my lack thereof doesn’t become contagious to my kids.
I am so with you. #2 is great advice and that is the theme of my year. I forget #1, it is not about me. Thanks for the great words.
Blessings
Love this ! Especially … “self this isn’t about you”. How so often I feel like it’s ALL ABOUT ME! Not just what curriculum I want but if he behaves badly then I am a bad homeschool mom! Too heavy a weight God never intended us to carry !!
I was feeling this way just a week ago, but participating in the Not Back to School Blog Hop where homeschoolers were all sharing their curriculum choices for the year (at a time where I had hardly given it any thought yet!), then pictures of their homeschool classrooms, then portraits of their students lit a fire under me. I decided to force myself to participate and it gave me a deadline to clean out the schoolroom so that I could take a picture for the Blog Hop and to get thinking about curriculum. Reading what others were doing was motivating and encouraging too.
But you are so right in those small things being really what gets your brain back in the homeschooling headspace. For me, shopping for curriculum, books, and craft supplies got me in the mood to get things organized for the year.
Thanks for the great reminders!
We are kindred spirits! LOL While I try to do this self-talk in my head, it is nice to see it written out here, knowing I’m not alone in this feeling. With God’s help, we will have a blessed year!