Homeschooling can be hard. None of us are perfect. So, let us stop comparing ourselves to others. There is no such thing as the perfect homeschool mom.
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure statement for more information.
The Pressure to be the Perfect Homeschool Mom
Parenting is hard, folks. There, I said it. Homeschooling is hard too. Both are difficult jobs. They are marathons, not sprints. It takes years for you to see the outcomes of whatever it is you are doing right now at this moment. Years of tiny moments add up and fill this small person you are raising. No pressure.
I am not perfect, and I think my family can attest to that fact.
I’m not a perfect housekeeper.
My house is messy, and we have items strewn everywhere. Books, games, odds, and ends for tinkering and building, there are science experiments on the kitchen counters, and who knows where else.
Sometimes seven loads of laundry sit on my couch for days on end. We named him Merle!
I’ve burned a dinner or two… or ten.
Sometimes dinner isn’t made at all, and everyone enjoys homemade cereal right out of the box!
I lose my temper and feel the weight on my shoulders of parenting and homeschooling two intensely wonderful human beings.
I want to model calm, peace, and patience for my little ones, but sometimes I have less than stellar moments.
I wrestle with depression, anxiety, and self-doubt. When those three reared their ugly heads, I start to struggle.
I get worried.
Am I doing enough?
Will I ruin my kids?
I’m in over my head!
There is No Such Thing as a Perfect Homeschool Mom, Folks!
There is pressure to do this right.
Pressure to be the perfect parent.
There is pressure to be the perfect homeschool mom.
The pressure to be perfect oozes into every corner of our lives.
With social media at everyone’s fingertips, the pressure to be perfect is even stronger. Most try to live up to society’s particular set of perfect standards, Instagram photos look ideal, and Facebook posts may convince you that everyone else has it all together.
We must always have it together, right? The perfect family, perfect wife and parent. But how can any of us live up to these impractical standards? There is pressure to be perfect even though there is no such thing!
It’s BANANAS!!!
When we are constantly seeking homeschool perfection and looking at what everyone else is doing, we don’t enjoy the beautiful gifts our homeschool offers.
We miss the ability to slow down, go at our child’s pace, follow our unique interests, and develop relationships in our home when we are busy trying to be perfect.
We All Need Compassion, Grace, and Understanding
I’m here to offer some encouragement.
As families, parents, homeschoolers, unschoolers, classical educators, and everything in between, we are all doing the best we can for our children.
We are all different.
Every family dynamic is different.
Every child is different and learns in different ways.
There are different backgrounds and family traditions.
Some families want more structure; some want less. Some children want direction, while others don’t. Some kids have learning challenges. Some children are prodigies. There are even kids that may be a mixture of the two! And just when you THINK you have everything together…your kiddos will change it up on you!
Homeschooling can be challenging.
None of us are perfect. So, let’s stop comparing ourselves to others. We all struggle, fall down, and lose our tempers. We all need a helping hand, we all need understanding, and we all need compassion, grace, and forgiveness.
Parenting is tough, folks!
Can we agree to be a little kinder to ourselves as we parent and homeschool these wonderfully quirky kiddos of ours?
Can we remember that we are enough?
Did you hear me, mama?
You are enough.
Find Your Tribe Weary Homeschool Mom
A great way to help ease you out of that perfection mindset is to find other homeschoolers right there in the trenches with you.
You can start by connecting with other people like yourself. Find your tribe. This could happen at a co-op, church, or any extracurricular activities or functions in which you and your kiddos may participate.
Remember, if you can’t be authentic with people, then they are not your people. Move on.
Don’t rule out an online tribe either.
Online Tribes and Communities
I’ve found some of my closest allies, cheerleaders, and homeschool friends on Facebook groups and blogs. Look for communities specific to your needs, be they giftedness, special needs, large family homeschooling, gameschooling, etc.
When you are weary and in need of encouragement, I invite you to listen to Julie Bogart of Brave Writer. She has this Ah-Mazing ability to make you realize that you are enough and can do this! Her books, Homeschool Alliance and Podcast, are filled to the brim with inspiration and wisdom.
The Homeschool Sisters Podcast is another excellent place to turn when homeschooling gets tough, and you feel less than perfect. These two ladies are lovely at keeping it real while helping you find joy amid homeschooling chaos, and they are right there in the trenches of homeschooling with you.
Also, the Simple Homeschool is a lovely blog to read when looking for simple solutions with a healthy dose of encouragement for your homeschool journey.
Sometimes you just need to get cozy with your favorite warm beverage and read or listen to some marvelous homeschool inspiration.
Perfection is not required.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it can help to slow down. The Brave Writer philosophy suggests starting with just one thing.
Choose the thing you feel most comfortable with and do that. Then as you feel more comfortable, add another resource or subject. Eventually, you’ll find yourself building layers of learning and a routine that works for you and your family.
None of Us Is Perfect
I am not perfect, folks. Most days, I am tough on myself, but I am also loving, thoughtful, and strong.
Maybe even a bit of a Maverick.
It takes grit, courage, and faith to do what we do.
I feel blessed to be a parent and to homeschool my children. I love being a part of the “AH HA!” moments that come out of nowhere and the magic I can create in my home. I love giving my children the freedom to explore and learn in their own time and their own ways.
Things are rarely if ever, Pinterest-ready.
There’s a high likelihood of Pinterest failing.
Like that time, we tried to make magnetic slime and ended up with black powder all on the carpet and in the upholstery. It took a week to get it all out!
But I’m there with my kids, and I spend time experimenting, learning, encouraging, and connecting with them.
I realize that, while it is not best for everyone, homeschooling is the best option for our family.
So, here I am…. being a perfectly imperfect homeschool mom.
What about you?
Here are some of my favorite uplifting homeschool mom resources to read:
You may also enjoy these posts:
Needed this read today! As a working homeschool mom, I have so much on my plate every day. It can be overwhelming and easy to feel like a failure when I mess up. Also, online tribes are the best! I have been able to connect with so many wonderful homeschool moms that way!!
Awe, I’m so glad you found encouragement from this! This is an overwhelming job, but totally worth it. And connecting with like-minded mamas is a tremendous help. Thank you so much for stopping by!