Be realistic. That statement right there is an unrealistic expectation.
Cause we’re homeschool mamas! We have lofty ambitions. For our kids, for their educations, and for us.
So how to deal with unrealistic expectations as a homeschool mama?
Be realistic about what you can do.
Turns out, you can’t do everything.
No, you can’t.
Really, you can’t.
No, everyone else isn’t doing everything.
Actually, NO ONE is doing everything. They’re doing some things. Just as you will be when you honestly, kindly, accept yourself as being a normal human being that can only do so much. And that it is even good enough!
ps You can Use a Time Audit to Address Unrealistic Homeschool Expectations.
Everyone won’t always get along.
Darn it. (But wouldn’t that be nice if they would?)
No one ever complains about all the cool things you’ve planned for them but they don’t care about it. No one ever bickered with each other, just happily playing alongside one another. They always appreciate their siblings, recognizing that they are creating childhood memories and lifetime friendships.
ps I know I expected them to but here’s how I learned How to manage unrealistic expectations in our homeschool.
Some days you will feel like your homeschool was hijacked.
Because of a surprise trip to emerg, a jarring phone call from afar, or kids that just breathe fire as they pass each other in the hallway, there’s always some reason why your homeschool won’t always go smoothly. In fact, it’ll even feel like your day got hijacked.
ps Maybe you need a Homeschool Podcast for the Overwhelmed Homeschool Mom.
You have an emotional atmosphere that needs to be attended to.
We have emotional reactions to those days that feel hijacked, and also to the bickering, or to a kid that gets mistreated in the park, or even getting cut off in traffic while we’re driving to piano practice. And that emotional atmosphere needs to be attended to just as we would attend to our child getting mistreated at the park.
You have other relationships that need attending.
So many life events that interrupt your homeschool.
Sometimes that discussion you’ve been having with your partner about that issue seems to be getting more agitating the more you discuss it. That issue needs to be settled once and for all so you can be present in your time with your kids, instead of being over there with your partner.
This is your big, messy, happy, not always happy, homeschool reality.
Big Emotions Journal for the Homeschool Mom
Introducing the Homeschool Mama’s Toolbox, a set of resources designed to help homeschooling mothers deal with big emotions and specifically address their thoughts. Your brain and thoughts are important tools that need to be regularly sharpened, and the Toolbox is here to help you do just that.
Incorporating mindfulness practices into your homeschool is one of the most effective ways to separate yourself from your thoughts and be present. The Toolbox includes three questions from Dr. Amen, author of Change your Brain, Change your Life: What am I feeling? What is the thought behind my feeling? What is the story behind my thought? These are questions that you can practice regularly to get the most out of them.
The Toolbox also encourages a daily meditation practice to help you distance yourself from your thoughts and just be present. Guided meditations such as Guided Meditation on Controlling Negative Thoughts and Guided Meditation for Inner Peace & Calm can help you get started.
Additionally, the Toolbox offers a Thought Care Checklist to help you deal with challenging situations that may arise in your homeschool. By considering alternative perspectives, you can reframe your thoughts and deal with the situation in a more positive and constructive way.
With the Homeschool Mama’s Toolbox, you can learn to influence your thoughts and create a better reality for yourself and your family. Download the Toolbox today and start sharpening your tools!
People also ask…
- How to Plan for my Upcoming Homeschool?
- How to Address Your Big Emotions (& Your Kids’ Big Emotions) in your Homeschool
- a Letter to My Homeschool Graduated, College-bound Daughter
- Tell me more about your virtual homeschool mama retreat.
- a real-life approach to being realistic with Christmas expectations: banishing the picture-perfect Christmas
- An Antidote for Holiday Homeschool Overwhelm: Dealing with Expectations
- I’m a new homeschooler, do you coach me too? Why, yes I do!
Teresa Wiedrick
I help overwhelmed homeschool mamas shed what’s not working in their homeschool & life, so they can show up authentically, purposefully, and confidently in their homeschool & life.
