This post discussing what to do when you are behind in your homeschool may contain affiliate link(s) which means that I receive some form of compensation in return (at no additional cost to you) if you purchase through my link:)
Summer is just around the corner! As I talked about a little in my last post, across the country, churches and families are getting ready for summer camps, music schools, and all kinds of summer activities that remind us that we are supposed to be on summer break. After all, “school goes from August to May,” or so we have all been told. Truth is, maybe you and your kids are not done for the summer. Maybe, you and your kids have fallen behind in your homeschooling. Perhaps your family went through a move earlier this year, and that move threw off your schedule. Or maybe your family decided to take a missions trip and that caused your kids to fall behind. Regardless of the reason, here you are.
You have heard it before, “Don’t stress about the day to day! Life is a journey; just enjoy the ride!” Though it is so much easier said than done, I am here to tell you that there is much truth to be found in the following statement:
Homeschooling is a journey, not a destination.
Being behind is so frustrating, and with homeschooling, it can seem an impossible task to ever catch up. But, the truth is, even when you fall behind in your homeschooling, there is hope, and you must choose to consider a few things.
In another post called “When You Need to Encourage Yourself,” I talked about the power of “encouraging yourself in the Lord” as David did in 1 Samuel 30:6. Here, I would like to focus specifically on what to do when you are behind in your homeschool since I think that summer’s fast approach can make the stress and pressure of finishing much more real in our hearts and minds.
1. Take time to consider the big picture.
Remembering that life is a journey and that it is about that journey rather than a destination becomes so much easier when we consider the big picture rather than only focusing on the daily challenges and struggles. Just think, your child is already in school. It may not seem like that long ago that you held a small baby in your arms and considered all the amazing dreams you had for your child. Now, you have a school-aged child. In only a few short years, you will have a child that is graduating from high school and reaching college-age. Time hurries on.
I am here to tell you that this challenge too will pass. If you keep plugging away at your school lessons, they will get done, and your children will graduate from high school. Just do not give up! Do not give in to the urge to say, “Well, I guess that’s enough for the year.” Push through these last few weeks or even another month, if you have to. Realize that homeschooling is full of giving and taking. If you take half a day off school to go to the dentist, you may have to make up some work later, and that is okay! Homeschooling is not a pass to not do school, it is rather the freedom to learn and grow on your own schedule and your own terms. Embrace that freedom and run with that liberty. If you have to do school into the summer, so be it. That is your right and your privilege as a homeschooling family.
With that in mind, one of the things you can do when you are behind in your homeschool is to simply consider the big picture and how short the years really are, how short the stages really are. Your child is growing up. Choose to focus on the big picture rather than getting bogged down in the real stresses and challenges of the day to day.
I do not doubt that there are things you may need to skip over as you press towards the finish line of this school year, but just remember that catching up may take some time. Give yourself and your babies some grace as you both learn and grow together. You have got this, homeschooling momma!
2. Do not miss the beauty around you while worrying about the future.
Though it is hard to see at times, there really is beauty all around you. The sun rises, the birds sing, the bread rises, your babies smile and laugh, and music plays. Not only are those things in your life, but your child is also learning, and so are you. Do not miss the beauty all around you in your day-to-day while being so concerned with the challenges you will doubtless face. As the quote goes,
“You’re only here for a short visit. Don’t hurry. Don’t worry. And be sure to smell the flowers along the way.” – Walter Hagen (link here)
As I said earlier, your children are growing up so fast. I challenge you to really be intentional about soaking up all the beautiful little moments they present you with and “smell the flowers along the way,” as Mr. Hagen said.
3. Choose joy on the daily.
What else can we do when we fall behind in our homeschool? I recommend simply choosing joy. Once again, this concept is much easier said than lived. We are told in the Bible that,
“…the joy of the LORD is your strength.” – Nehemiah 8:10
While homeschooling, it is not uncommon for stressful self-doubt, fears, worries, and frustrations to steal our joy each day. With that said, the Lord’s joy is our strength, as the verse above attested to. Knowing that, we must be vigilant and guard the joy. We must press on towards the finish line, and that is what you need to do even when you are behind in your homeschool. Remember that “…the joy of the LORD is your strength,” and press on!
Want to save this post to read or reference later? Pin it!
Today, we have discussed what to do when you are behind in your homeschool, and chances are, we have all or will all get behind in our homeschooling journeys at some point or another along the way. With that said, what we must do when we get behind is to remember the big picture, focus on the beautiful moments around us, and choose joy even when it is difficult to do so.
I sincerely hope that this post has been an encouragement to you today.
If one of these points resonated with you, or if you have something to add, please leave a comment below!
I would love to hear from you!
