Traditionalists and mavericks, creatives and the analytical, introverts and extroverts—all can excel at leading a homeschool. We’ve heard so many success stories from our Abeka homeschool parents, whether homeschooling was always part of the plan or thrust on your family out of necessity. When your kids’ education is at stake, you rise to the occasion. However, you’ve probably felt the learning curve that comes with this lifestyle shift. Over the years, we’ve seen patterns emerging in the learning curve and the potential for cases of overwhelm. Perhaps one of the following tips linked to related blog posts can help if you’re navigating this season.

1. If you need some practical encouragement, check out the short article “When Homeschool Overwhelms.” And please know that these growing pains are normal.
2. Give yourself grace on the bad days. The blog post “That Bad Day Every Mom Has Had” lists seven specific ways to cope when the overwhelm hits.
3. Focus on your “why.” Maybe your reasons are similar to the ones we hear often: freedom, flexibility, faith, and safety. Sometimes, it’s helpful to just pause and refocus on your prime directive. You may want to check out the articles “Why More Parents are Choosing Homeschool” and “Six Educational Advantages of Homeschooling Your Children.”
4. Don’t suffer alone. Look to other homeschool parents for advice and help. A great place to start is our Facebook group, Abeka All Access. You can connect with other homeschool families, get exclusive access to Abeka associates, and find some words of encouragement and inspiration. Then, as you gain experience yourself, look for someone you can mentor.
5. Ask yourself if the overwhelm could be made worse by scheduling issues, organization problems, piled-up grading, or a homeschool style isn’t working for you currently. The ebb and flow of homeschool can lend itself to any one of these areas getting out of balance and affecting the whole experience.

As you’ve thought through the previous five steps, now it’s time for the tough final question. Have you taken on too much for now? For example, perhaps you’ve said yes to another extracurricular, leaving you and your kids tired and overwhelmed. Maybe it’s time for rest and a reset. Participate in what really matters to your family and evaluate your commitments throughout the year to see if something should go. After all, the curriculum is there to serve you. You’re in control of your homeschooling, not your lesson plans or suggested daily schedule.

You’ve jumped into homeschooling with both feet. Overwhelm is normal, but it won’t last forever. We want to support you—with our blog, social media channels, free downloadable content, and other resources. If you have questions, you can always reach out to us on the contact us page of our website.