The transition into home education can be a difficult one. Many families struggle when they first start homeschooling, especially with time management.
“How can I get all the cleaning, cooking, and do everything else, as well as teach my children?
I just never seem to be able to get on top of things?
I just don’t have the time to do it all.”
Home education does not suit every family, but before you give up homeschooling, here are a few tips that I have learnt to help a struggling homeschool mum:
1. Look for the Wisdom
The difficulties you face in your home, with your children, are no less of a trial or test than the difficulties people face at work. Acknowledge that your problems are real problems, worthy of your concern and find comfort in the fact that Allah tests those he loves.
It is narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings be upon him) said:
“The greatest reward comes with the greatest trial. When Allah loves a people, He tests them. Whoever accepts that wins His Pleasure; but whoever is discontent with that earns His Wrath.” (al-Tirmidhi – 2396)
If you are finding difficulties in your homeschool, begin by making duaa and praying Istikaraah.
2. Get Organised
Write to-do lists, get a homeschool planner, organise your homeschool material in whatever way works for your family. Not only will these things help you to get more done, but they will also help you to realise how much you are already achieving. This feeling of accomplishment and purpose should not be taken lightly. Everyone needs to feel that they are being productive and achieving something in their day.
Watch this for some Homeschool Organization tips:
If you do not feel organised now, take a week off school. Use the time to get everything ordered and planned out in a way that will make your homeschool run more smoothly. Then you can start again the following week on a more positive note.
3. Lower Your Expectations
What? Did I read that right?
Yes, you did!
I know this may sound harsh, but you have to lower your expectations, especially if you are just starting to homeschool, or if you have small children at home. You cannot expect your house to be as clean or your meals to be a spectacular (mine never were….mediocre at best!) as they were before you began to home educate your children.
Every ‘lesson does not need to be perfectly planned and executed. Many children retain more from self-directed, not teacher led, learning. By adjusting your teaching style, you are allowing your children time to ‘discover’ things themselves and re-igniting the love of learning that they lost in school.
You are only human and you have the same 24 hours that the rest of us have. As soon as you LET GO and stop putting pressure on yourself, the better you will feel and the happier you and your family be insha’Allah.
Just to clarify…I’m not saying you should live in squalor and let your children run wild! However, give yourself a break! Your homemaking and your school days will improve as your time management does.
4. Give Yourself Time
It takes time to adjust, establish new routines and to find your ‘groove.’ It also takes time for children to get used to the new routines.
Try to move gently, with patience, into this new phase in your life. Everything does not need to come together all at once. Give yourself the grace to make mistakes. Just learn from them …and move on.
Thank you so much for visiting us here at Our Muslim Homeschool!
What do you think?
Should we lower our standards and just allow time to fix everything?
How much time should be allow before we give up and send our kids back to school?
How do you organise your homeschool?
Please share your thoughts with us in the comments below š
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In need of your duaas.
Peace and Love.
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&
, made by Baker Ross, and the boys were so excited to get started!
