Are you suffering from FHSB

Are you suffering from FHSB? (Fall Homeschool Blues) October through November is typically a time during homeschooling, where you take a hard look at the plans that you made over the summer and compare it to the reality of what is happening now. You’re beautiful homeschool rooms and organized shelves are not looking as encouraging and hopeful as they once were. The weather is changing. You might be spending more time indoors. And to be honest, a few tears may had been recently shed as you doubt if you are doing the right thing by homeschooling your children.

If you find yourself in this situation, here are five suggestions to help you refresh and lean in to your homeschool journey.

1. Dust off your why. This is so important. In homeschooling as a lifestyle, I talk a lot about discovering why you are homeschooling. This would be a time when you should dust off that page, and review it to be reminded of the good reason that you decided to take this journey to begin with. Don’t just recite it in your head. Look at it, black words on white paper. Read it and be encouraged that you are doing the right thing. If you have a partner in homeschooling, have that person remind you verbally why you are on this homeschool journey.
2. Take a day for the children! Place the schoolwork to the side, and grab a great book with a well written story, gather your children and spend an undetermined amount of time, enjoying the story. Children love to be read to. Even older children love a good story. Grab some snacks and enjoy story time with your family. This will hopefully provide a bit of relief for your children. Maybe they have been goofing off, and not following your directions. Perhaps they are having one too many meltdowns. You might be feeling like your day is filled with giving orders all day long, and wondering what happened to the laughter and joy? Getting lost in a story is a good way to relieve the pressure and enjoy each other’s company. After all homeschooling is also about living life together as a family, building strong ties and fun memories. Getting lost is a good book on one way of doing that. (Alice in Wonderland, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, are a few classics to try.)
3. Take a day for yourself! How you ask? Videos. Grab a few age appropriate historical fiction and autobiographical, interesting videos, and allow the children to watch them.They will be learning and you will have a few moments to sip a cup of coffee and clear your head. Work on a crossword puzzle. Crochet, knit, draw, color. Whatever you do, do not use this time to grade papers or plan the following week of classwork. Also, try not to lose that time getting lost in your phone, or talking on the phone. (trust me, you will regret it.) Take this time for yourself. It is impossible to run on 100% 24/7. You will burn out. It is ok to de-stress and take care of yourself, because if you do not, you might find yourself and your children in a pit of unproductive frustration without a clear view of how to get out of it. Take a day for yourself and feel good about doing it.
4. Go on a nature walk. A nature walk includes walking around your neighborhood. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to find a forest preserve or park. have your children draw what they see, or take pictures of interesting things. Collect leaves, chestnuts, pinecones. Encourage them to be interested. Follow their lead. Oh the fun you will discover seeing the world through their eyes.
5. Discover something new as a family. Try cooking a new dish together. Go to a new park or a library outside of your neighborhood. Look for something that can replace the ordinary day to day activities. For example, you might find a Nigerian vocalist on the music streaming service, Tidal, then look up a Nigerian culinary dish on youtube and look up Nigerian traditions, and spend the day discovering the beauty of a different culture.

Resist the urge to feel that you are “behind” in your schedule. As a homeschooler, you can re-work the schedule. There is a time to review and revise your progress and determine what is working and what isn’t. You will get to that. Just keep in mind that every-time you are feeling overwhelmed and discouraged does not mean that you have to rework your entire plan. Sometimes you just need a minute to relax and recharge. Your children need that too. It is natural to experience FHSB. Take the necessary steps to get out of it quickly, so that you can get back on track doing the important job of teaching your children.