Some of us love to plan but are a little more hit and miss when it comes to actually implementing the plan. This causes problems in every aspect of life, but in homeschooling it can create huge academic gaps that are hard to overcome.
Think about it this way. If math and history are your favorite subjects to teach, it can be easy to let science and English slide, leaving them on the back burner “just for a day or two.” A day or two here and there, though, can turn into a habit of procrastination.
Avoiding Procrastination in Homeschooling
There’s no shame in disliking certain subjects. We all do! But a habit of procrastination in any area of homeschooling can result in getting so far behind that it’s almost impossible to catch up. That’s when our habit becomes a problematic gap for our students.
Instead of putting off what you don’t enjoy, why not try re-prioritizing? Here are a few suggestions:
If you find that you’re continually frustrated by a subject, you’ll be tempted to skimp on assignments, skip days, accomplish the minimal requirements, or drop the subject altogether. It might be time to recruit some help! There are so many options available, ranging from online classes to local co-ops and academies. Homeschooling is about you being in control of how your child is educated, and there is no shame in incorporating assistance in that area! As a rule of thumb, if your child is under fourth grade, face-to-face learning is better than online, so try to find a class or another parent to swap subjects with. For older children, online classes work well.
Perhaps the problem is not the subject. Maybe you typically love teaching history, but you’re just not clicking with the material you’ve chosen. Make some changes! If you can, find new curriculum. If not, take a step back and reconsider the approach. The curriculum is not your “boss.” Use it as you need it, and don’t ever let it dictate how you must teach.
Buy a Teacher’s Guide
Let’s face it, we homeschoolers like to save money. One of the easiest ways to do that is by creating our own lesson plans. If that’s your approach and it’s working for you, great! But, if you find yourself regularly putting off certain subjects because you just can’t settle on a good plan, it might be time to break down and get some help. Buy a teacher’s guide or lesson plans and let them simplify your day. Homeschooling is always costly. It costs money, time, and brainpower, in varying ratios. If your ratio isn’t working for you, rebalance it with a resource like a teacher’s guide. A little balance can make a huge difference when it comes to avoiding procrastination.
Understanding our personalities can go a long way toward helping us figure out the best ways to successfully homeschool. Take our Planner Personality Quiz to learn more about how your personality meshes with homeschool success!