Had Enough? 7 Reasons You Might Need Homeschooling Help (and Where to Find It)
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Homeschooling is exciting and rewarding, but it can also be overwhelming and isolating. Learn why you might need homeschooling help and where to find it.
Homeschooling families tend to be a fiercely independent breed. We want to do our own thing without interference from anyone else. And, we’re often extremely reluctant to ask for help – or even admit that we need it.
But you know what? Sometimes, we do need help. And, do you know what else? It’s okay to admit that we can’t do it all. Our job, as homeschooling parents, is to tailor our kids’ educations to meet their needs. And, sometimes that means asking for help and outsourcing some parts of their home education.
Why You Might Need Homeschooling Help
Homeschooling can be hard. Asking for help isn’t admitting defeat; it’s being honest about your needs and those of your kids. Consider the following challenges.
1. Starting to homeschool can be overwhelming.
When we began homeschooling in 2002, I had a clear vision of how I wanted the experience to look. I knew from the start that we’d be eclectic, hands-on learners. I envisioned lots of field trips and library visits.
But, I was understandably nervous about getting started. I wanted a bit of hand-holding that first year, so we choose a unit-study-based curriculum with an active online support group. We ditched the curriculum halfway through that first year, but I never regretted the purchase or the confidence it and the online community gave me during those first few months.
Homeschooling parents, you don’t have to have it all together on right out of the gate. It’s okay to accept help while you find your footing.
Asking for help isn't admitting defeat; it's being honest about your needs and those of your kids.2. Choosing the right curriculum can be difficult.
The options for homeschooling curriculum today are exciting – and overwhelming. If you’re new to homeschooling or your current curriculum isn’t working, narrowing down the options to find the best fit for your kids can seem a daunting task in a sea of choices.
Seeking experienced, objective guidance is a smart, time-saving, money-saving, sanity-saving move.
3. Changes in life circumstances.
Aging parents who need extra help. A new baby. Divorce. A return to the workforce. A cross-country move. Chronic illness. Any of these life events can impact your homeschool. One of the drawbacks to homeschooling is that life circumstances can derail – even if only temporarily – your child’s education.
Sure, our kids often learn through these life circumstances, but sometimes you just want school and your kids’ sense of normalcy to carry on without interruption. That’s when outside help can come in handy.
4. You have a struggling Learner.
We spent years muddling through Josh’s learning struggles before I finally admitted that he needed help beyond the scope of my knowledge and abilities. I was hesitant to ask for help in part because I feared judgment from professionals outside the homeschooling community. Thankfully, that fear was unfounded and getting help was one of the best decisions I ever made. I only regret not asking sooner.
5. You need more margin in your days.
You wake up to the youngest prying your eyelids open, and you hit the ground running. From there it’s three meals and snacks, teaching the alphabet to your youngest and algebra to your oldest, appointments, co-op, housework, and spending time with your spouse until you collapse into bed again at night.
If that describes your days, you may need some homeschooling help. We all need margin in our days. The homeschooling experience should be a positive one for everyone, including the teaching parent.
The homeschooling experience should be a positive one for everyone, including the teaching parent.6. Lack of community.
The weird, unsocialized homeschooled kid is largely a generalized myth, but homeschooling can be isolating, particularly for the teaching parent. We are blessed to live in an area with a vibrant homeschooling community, but not everyone is so fortunate.
Community is one of the essential needs of a homeschooling parent. Sure, we can get by on our own, but it’s so much better to find a tribe who understands our struggles and triumphs.
7. You’re second-guessing yourself.
One of the most common worries for homeschooling parents is, “Are we doing enough?” We wonder if we’re covering enough material each day and if we’re teaching our kids all they need to know. We crave reassurance from those who’ve gone before us – veteran homeschooling parents, those with kids a bit older than ours, or a teacher friend (one not opposed to homeschooling).
Where to Find Homeschooling Help
With homeschooling becoming increasingly common, it’s much easier to find the help and support we need. Some fantastic sources of homeschool help are local or online support groups, co-ops, online classes, and tutors.
You can also check out an exciting new resource for homeschooling parents, Learnwell Collective. Learnwell is not a co-op or an online class; it’s a unique support system for homeschooling parents designed to help you homeschool with confidence.
Learnwell Collective was created to provide vital support that is often missing for lonely, overwhelmed homeschooling parents. It is the brainchild of Melissa Shipman, who has served for 17 years as an education consultant for oversees homeschooling missionaries, and her husband Randy, who are now homeschooling parents themselves.
What Learnwell Collective Offers
Learnwell provides support for homeschooling families through:
- Quality curriculum carefully selected to meet the needs of homeschool students (which currently includes two of my personal favorites, All About Reading and Easy Grammar).
- Weekly lessons plans – Yes, you read that right! Imagine how much time you can add back to your family life with this one Learnwell perk alone.
- A schedule with margins – Weekly lesson plans are built on a 4-day schedule providing room for family time, field trips, and enrichment activities or simply room to slow down if your child needs some extra time understanding a concept
- Weekly coaching videos from your teaching partner to ensure that you have the information you need to present the week’s lessons to your child with confidence.
- Online meetings with your teaching partner so you can ask questions about any concerns you may have.
- Community with other homeschooling parents.
If you’re struggling in your homeschool, you don’t have to choose between quitting and being miserable. You may simply need support and guidance to get you through a rough patch.
If you want to start homeschooling but you’re not sure you’re cut out for it, you can ditch the anxiety knowing that Learnwell offers the tools you need to homeschool successfully.
Visit Learnwell to download a free learning styles guide or their 2019-2020 information guide to learn more. They offer a 100% money back guarantee if you’re not satisfied. Use coupon code WUH_LW2019 to take $800 off your 2019-2020 tuition.
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Kris Bales is a newly-retired homeschool mom and the quirky, Christ-following, painfully honest founder (and former owner) of Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers. She has a pretty serious addiction to sweet tea and Words with Friends. Kris and her husband of over 30 years are parents to three amazing homeschool grads. They share their home with three dogs, two cats, a ball python, a bearded dragon, and seven birds.