As homeschooling mums, we’re constantly trying to find the right balance.We agonise over our homeschool plans and are always trying to learn how to homeschool better.
But some days homeschooling doesn’t follow the plan. On those days, when you’re tired, or you feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day, what should you prioritise? What is the ONE THING you MUST DO when you homeschool?
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I’ll be beck next Sunday 21st March 2021, at 4pm GMT, for another LIVE episode of the Raising Mums podcast on FacebookandInstagram , and the BIG RAMADAN ANNOUNCEMENT insha’Allah.
See you then insha’Allah!
Peace and Love,
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Being outdoors is good for your children. It’s good for everyone! However, finding outdoor activities that you and your children enjoy can be challenging.
Scientific discovery continues to reveal all the benefits of being outside; including the benefits of sunlight, the microbes in the soil, and even the mood-boosting effect of the colours of nature.
But as Muslims, we know there is something more. It’s not just about looking at nature, but looking beyond it at the One who created it.
“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” – Albert Einstein
Despite knowing all the benefits, outdoor activities with children can be stressful. It can even feel weird and awkward! And when the kids get grumpy, you wonder, “What is the point of this?”
In this episode of Raising Mums, I talk about how you can enjoy nature together with children even if you don’t like being outside!
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Rated as excellent by Trust Pilot, Tutorfulare diligent about vetting all of their tutors, to make sure your children have access to the very best tutors from around the whole of the UK.
All lessons are personalised and tailored to your child’s needs, satisfaction is guaranteed. Prices start at £15/hour.
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As a homeschooling parent, we worry a lot! We worry that we’re not giving our children enough of our time. We stress that we’re not doing enough for them. And we agonise about how to fit it all in!
Thie blogpost may contain affiliate links. See Disclaimer for more information.
In episode 33 of the Raising Mums podcast, I share with you some practical ways that you “squeeze” more learning into your children’s lives, and reframe the way you look at your homeschool.
This episode of Raising Mums was brought to you by Miraj Stories!
You can save up to 25% off on this Islamic app for children aged 4-9, with an exclusive Discount Code just for Our Muslim Homeschool fans! It includes Islamic audiobooks, picture books, songbooks and games.
It’s Halal and there are NO ADs! Alhumdulillah!
Miraj Stories is such an EASY way to incorporate Islamic learning into your child’s homeschooling!
If you’re struggling to make sense of the 5 Steps to Start Homeschooling…then you’ve got to WATCH THE VIDEO!
How to Start Homeschooling Course
Launch Your Homeschool is an online course that will you hold your hand and walk you through the beginning stages of homeschooling, built upon the framework of the Charlotte Mason philosophy.
I teach you how to choose the right subjects for your homeschool, how to chose the right resources and plan out your year to create a homeschool experience that aligns with the values and beliefs of your family.
I show you the essential teaching techniques that you’ll need to now to get started. There’s even an entire module on how to manage your time so you can still cook, keep the house tidy and take care of yourself, all whilst homeschooling your children!
You’re busy…I know! But despite all the things you have to do already, you dream of homeschooling your children. But how can you?! How can you find the time to homeschool your children?
In this episode of Raising Mums I talk about how anyone can find the time to homeschool, or do anything else they need to do, with the right time management skills.
With a good understanding of how to manage your time, you CAN homeschool too.
If you can learn these time management skills you can create the life you have always dreamed of for your family.
Time management allows you to be present with your children. You can be that chilled out, joyful mum you’ve always wanted to be, because you know you’ve got everything covered!
This FREE eBOOK is full of information that you really need to know if you’re planning to homeschool you kids. I know that you’ve got a lot of questions, that’s why I put this ebook together for you! It will help you to lay a strong foundation n your homeschool and ( I hope) calm your worries!
Launch Your Homeschool is an online course that will you hold your hand and walk you through the beginning stages of homeschooling, built upon the framework of the Charlotte Mason philosophy.
I teach you how to choose the right subjects for your homeschool, how to chose the right resources and plan out your year to create a homeschool experience that aligns with the values and beliefs of your family.
I show you the essential teaching techniques that you’ll need to now to get started. There’s even an entire module on how to manage your time so you can still cook, keep the house tidy and take care of yourself, all whilst homeschooling your children!
Let’s talk money! How much does homeschooling cost?
If you’re trying to plan ahead, and work out if home education is a feasible dream for your family, you need to know how much it’s going to cost.
You need real figures, real numbers!
Typically if you’re searching online for the cost to home educate your children, you’ll hear a lot of advice that sounds something like,
“Homeschooling is possible for families of every budget. With careful planning you can homeschool for very little.”
And honestly, I’ve said that myself!
But after thinking about it, I realised that that statement is not very helpful at all!
What would be more helpful would be a number of how much it costs a real family to homeschool their children today.
And that’s what I’m going to do here…
I’m going to tell you how much homeschooling costs our family!
I’ve NEVER seen this done before, but in this episode of Raising Mums…
I get out my calculator and talk about: 👉How much does Homeschooling cost each year 👉 What are our biggest expenses? 👉 How could we reduce these costs?
Being honest about the costs of homeschooling will help you to know if homeschooling is truly a realistic ambition for your family, and it’ll help you to plan ahead.
This FREE eBOOK is full of information that you really need to know if you’re planning to homeschool you kids. I know that you’ve got a lot of questions, that’s why I put this ebook together for you! It will help you to lay a strong foundation n your homeschool and ( I hope) calm your worries!
Launch Your Homeschool is an online course that will you hold your hand and walk you through the beginning stages of homeschooling, built upon the framework of the Charlotte Mason philosophy.
I teach you how to choose the right subjects for your homeschool, how to chose the right resources and plan out your year to create a homeschool experience that aligns with the values and beliefs of your family.
I show you the essential teaching techniques that you’ll need to now to get started. There’s even an entire module on how to manage your time so you can still cook, keep the house tidy and take care of yourself, all whilst homeschooling your children!
Can the Charlotte Mason philosophy of education work for a Muslim homeschool? An increasing number of Muslim Homeschools are adopting and embracing the Charlotte Mason philosophy in their homeschools…but why?
In this episode of Raising Mums, I discuss why we use the Charlotte Mason philosophy in our Muslim homeschool and discuss if the Charlotte Mason approach to homeschooling is suitable for Muslims?
This blog-post contains affiliate links. For more information see Disclaimer.
In this this episode of Raising Mums I answer the following questions:
👉 What is the Charlotte Mason philosophy all about?
👉 Is a Charlotte Mason education suitable and for the Muslim homeschool? Is it relevant?
👉 Do I need to replace or miss any part of it out?
👉 What are the advantages of Charlotte Mason homeschooling compared to others?
👉 Will it prepare my children for higher education? For life?
👉 Why are so many Muslim homeschoolers switching to Charlotte Mason?
Launch Your Homeschool is an online course that will you hold your hand and walk you through the beginning stages of homeschooling, built upon the framework of the Charlotte Mason philosophy.
I teach you how to choose the right subjects for your homeschool, how to chose the right resources and plan out your year to create a homeschool experience that aligns with the values and beliefs of your family.
I show you the essential teaching techniques that you’ll need to now to get started. There’s even an entire module on how to manage your time so you can still cook, keep the house tidy and take care of yourself, all whilst homeschooling your children!
Our YouTube channelhas a wealth of videos about Charlotte Mason curriculum choices, living book recommendations, day-in-the-life videos and more! Check it out!
More Charlotte Mason Resources
Although the following Charlotte Mason resources are not specifically for Muslims, I believe they have a lot of value. My recommendations for parents new to this philosophy, but wanting to learn more are:
👉 “For the Children’s Sake” by Susan Shaeffer Macaulay UKUSA
👉”When Children Love to Learn” by Elaine Cooper UKUSA
Listen to our story and learn how to start homeschooling! If you want to homeschool your children, one of the quickest ways to learn how to start is by learning from other experienced homeschoolers and their stories. Learn how to start homeschooling from our story!
In this video I share:
-Why do we educate our children at home? -How we started homeschooling? -What struggles did we face in the beginning? -How did we overcome them?
Many parents of children with special educational needs have seriously considered homeschooling. For special needs kids, there is a lot to consider.
If you want some honest, and real advice about the pros and cons of homeschooling a child with special educational needs, read on!
I’m delighted to welcome Sal Shah, a Special Educational Needs mentor, into this space today to share her insight into homeschooling children with SEN.
The following was kindly contributed by Sal Shah, a special educational needs mentor.
Is homeschooling the best choice for a special needs child?
The truth is, I can’t honestly answer that because it is so unique to each child. I can only share my experiences and the knowledge that I learnt on my journey. It is a deeply personal choice and there is no right or wrong answer.
Each child with special needs has their own journey through education.
While some have a seamless journey post diagnosis and attend excellent schools with appropriate resources and supportive teachers, this is not the case for many SEN students and I like so many others, was pushed into the situation of home-schooling.
What I learnt in those few short months was how important unschooling was. How important it was to let go of expecting to control everything, to go at my child’s pace. I learnt that education is everywhere. In every single thing that we do.
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We baked, we went outside and explored nature, we read books, we met with other families in our situation – special needs children forced into homeschool because their schools failed them.
For me, sending my son back to a school where the teachers really understood his needs was vital. It would have been easy to label all teachers the same after I dealt with so many who had a very poor attitude, but I also worked with many in the time that he was home who showed me what empathy and understanding led to and how a good relationship with a scared child can work wonders.
The pros of Homeschooling
Anxiety
Many homeschooled children have reduced anxiety as they don’t have to play to the demands of a formal setting like school. For a lot of special needs children, particularly those with anxiety, the anxiety vanished, sleep was restored (not worrying about going to school), so this was the biggest benefit.
Rebuilt confidence and self-esteem
When a child goes through a pretty traumatic time in school, they are often left damaged and this was the case for our son. We spent most of the time at home rebuilding that confidence and working on his self-esteem. A lot of the work I did with my son was about boosting his confidence and giving him lots of opportunities to do this.
Therapeutic approach
My son was seen by a team of specialist teachers who came to our house in the interim of finding a new school. We had also hired a behaviour therapist who taught us techniques as a family to help him through his experiences and anxiety. This wouldn’t have been available at school unless it was written in his EHCP – education health care plan and at that it wasn’t.
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The cons of Homeschooling
Juggling everything
I found it very hard to give all my children the same level of attention because one, they were all different ages and two, with a special needs child, things can take twice as long and sometimes you can be met with extra resistance depending on their needs.
I am not an expert
Of course, I know my child better than anyone else, but I also found that in some situations, a trained expert was needed.
Some children thrive better at home, but my child thrives better in a school setting with teachers who are experienced in dealing with special needs.
I am a massive believer in early intervention too. The earlier you can offer support to your child, the better chance they have at succeeding in later life.
It can be costly
If you have a special needs child, often you will need to buy more things and possibly access speech therapy, occupational therapy, etc and these costs can add up. Of course, if you apply for an EHCP (Educational Health Care Plan) you can request for a personal budget to help you pay for these therapies.
Routine
Although you can have some sort of routine at home, many special needs children thrive on routine and at school there is always a routine. At home, things can sometimes crop up and as mother of 3 children, I was juggling a new baby, school run for my other child and running back and forth to clubs, so this effected our learning a lot and for a special needs child this can be further damaging.
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Home-schooling is a fantastic way to learn and of course the benefits outweigh the cons, but you have to look at works best for your family. Once my son started his new school, his behaviour, learning and outlook completely changed and ultimately, we Plan, but Allah is the best of planners.
Our journey may have been tough at times, but Allah led us to the place that was best for him and taught me that education is everywhere.
Author Bio
Sal Shah is a special educational needs mentor from Surrey, in the UK. She has a background in journalism and communications, and recently has recently undertaken training with the National Autistic Society and IPSEA. She also volunteers at a local specialist school in the UK and hopes to start her teacher training in 2021. Sal is highly passionate about special educational needs and ensuring all children can access the education they deserve. Sal helps mentor parents by providing them with information regarding diagnosis and where to receive further support. She also advises parents in regards to what to do if there are issues at school or with the local authority. Her ultimate goal is to empower parents so they are prepared for their childrens future. You can find out more about Sal and the services she provides on her website.
Wasn’t that wonderful! SO real and honest!
Thank you Sal, for sharing your insight with us all about homeschooling children with special educational needs.
I pray that this valuable piece finds the families that need it most. Ameen.
Peace and Love,
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Homeschooling is not easy. Pretending like it is only leads to further pressure and more stress! But how do you homeschool your kids when stress levels are rising and things feel like they’re falling apart?
Read on to find out how to homeschool when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
How to Homeschool AND Take Care of You
First of all, you need to make sure you are taken care of. You cannot possibly hope to be in the best form for your children if you are feeling depleted and stressed.
Follow your own pursuits
When we become mothers, we find ourselves dedicating every moment we have to our kids. We forget that we are also women with our own goals, own desires, and our own dreams. Don’t neglect these! Find time in your week to follow your own pursuits whether its painting, pursuing your own learning, or playing an active sport. Try to do anything to help you wind down and feel happy and content!
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How to have a homeschool breaks
Breaks are essential when it comes to homeschooling, but how many of us regularly take advantage of a break? We make sure to give our children breaks from their schoolwork and time for snacks or some fresh air. But make sure you also take a break and not use it as a chance to do other chores or tasks! Breaks are just as important for mum as for the kids. Use this time to have a cup of tea, meditate, or just sit outside for a little bit. These regular breaks throughout the day are extremely effective in refreshing you to continue the day ahead.
As mums, we also regularly neglect our own physical needs. Make sure you’re eating properly, staying hydrated and getting plenty of rest at night. If you are feeling tired, weak, or hungry you cannot be in the best state to teach your children. By attending to your own physical needs and taking care of yourself, you will reduce the chances of burning out quickly and feeling that all-too-familiar exhaustion!
Reward yourself
Just like your kids get rewards to motivate them and keep them on task, mums should have rewards too! As you work your way through each day, week and month of homeschooling, reward yourself. You deserve it! Homeschooling is just as challenging for you as it is for your children and you should celebrate your achievements. Whether that’s buying yourself something, taking time out to be with friends or even having a quiet night in with a bubble bath!
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How to have a homeschool mentality
The beauty of homeschooling is you can be as different from school as you want to be and keep the features you love. This is YOUR homeschool. So, make it yours.
Don’t compare
Everyone has a unique way of homeschooling because no two families are the same. Sure, we may borrow certain ideas from each other, but even our execution of those ideas varies depending on the unique differences of our children. We each face different struggles, so never compare your progress to those of other homeschools. You may be achieving things another mother struggles with. Remember, people rarely share the extent of their difficulties on social media, so avoid comparing yourself to the people you see in your Instagram and Facebook feeds.
Keep it simple
This is your homeschool with a limited number of children. You don’t have to accommodate for a class of 25-30 children. So, do yourself a favour and keep your life simple! Start with the basics of reading, writing and mathematics. Then you can slowly work your way into other subjects, some of which may only require you to read a book aloud to your children and encourage some discussion.
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Scrap it!
If something isn’t working for you or your children, SCRAP IT. You don’t have to prove anything. Some things click with some families but cause complete chaos in another. You’re in charge, so you choose what you do as a family. When you spend time and money on a new curriculum or resource it can be tempting to keep going with it no matter what, but if it is creating negative learning experiences for your child, don’t be afraid to stop. With any new curriculum, especially the pricier ones, it’s always best to try some form of trial or sample before you commit money to it. Make sure it’s something you and your children will benefit from.
Be gentle
Always be gentle with yourself, particularly at the beginning of your homeschool journey. This is a hard road for even the most experienced veteran homeschoolers. It doesn’t necessarily get easier, you just get better at troubleshooting and knowing what works for you. Every new year can be like starting again and learning new things as your child grows and enters a new year/grade. Take one day at a time and celebrate the small wins.
How to make homeschool easy
Having the right mentality is one thing, but this is much easier if you have made practical steps to making your homeschool tasks easier. Whilst the ideal scenario is sitting and working with your kids as they complete magnificent, sophisticated pieces of work, this isn’t usually the reality. Some days you’ll be lucky if you read a single book together. And that’s ok. But there are things you can incorporate into your homeschool day to make lessons a little easier.
The joy of reading aloud
Reading aloud is probably the most popular homeschool activity. And for good reason – it is highly effective! Give your children something to work with such as Lego blocks, jigsaw puzzles or colouring. Then select a book to read to them. This can be a fictional book which is above their reading level or even a non-fiction book for subjects like History or Science. Read aloud to your kids and then discuss the contents together. You’ll be surprised by how much they absorb!
Learning through play has always been the primary way children learn at a young age. Thankfully, there are plenty of games out there with education and key skills built right in. Head to Word United to see some amazing examples of games with purpose. When either you or your children feel the frustration rising and the workbooks are being discarded in a huff and a puff, grab some games! Your kids won’t even realise they are still learning as they enjoy the delightful change of pace!
Get them online
The internet can provide more than resources for us to print and laminate. There are multiple websites which are designed to help children independently take charge of their learning. Khan Academy and Khan Academy Kids are perfect examples of programmes which facilitate your child’s learning in a range of subjects. And it’s completely free! The fact that your children can navigate these websites pretty much independently means it can grant you some extra time for a break or to get some other things done.
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Get outside
In the end, there is no greater remedy for feeling overwhelmed than going outside. Just breathing fresh air and having gentle exercise each day will help both you and your children feel refreshed. If you want, your children can take their nature journaling supplies, but it’s not necessary. You’ll be amazed at how much learning and development happens when children are just relaxed and having fun in nature!
How do you homeschool?
There is no doubt homeschooling WILL feel overwhelming at times, but make sure you look after yourself and take advantage of the flexibility homeschooling provides.
How do you make life easier when homeschooling gets overwhelming? What tips do you have for making homeschool life smoother when it feels like it’s spiralling out of control?
Drop all your tips and advice in the comments below!
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