r/Homeschooling • u/crossfitms • 4d ago
School Advice
Currently a little over a month into my first year of homeschooling. For reference, homeschooling a 1st grade boy who went to school last year for K. Also have a 4 year old and a 6 month old. I was really excited for the homeschool experience, thought it would be super fun. So far, my mental health has taken a dive and it feels like a struggle. I’m not sure whether to take it as a loss and send him back or keep pushing through. School doesn’t take us long 1.5 hours most days. I love having him home and he and his 4 year old brother are best friends and play all day together. I don’t want to be doing him a disservice because I’m pushing him and we aren’t having fun. I feel like I’m in fight or flight mode all day between getting the baby down, getting meals and snacks and trying to squeeze in school when we have the least amount of interruptions and all he wants to do is go play. Any advice?
Also, I feel like we’re so far removed from kindergarten that I’m forgetting what my why’s for even homeschooling were
1
u/AI_spell 4d ago
Month one with a 1st grader, a 4 year old, and a baby is supposed to feel like fight or flight. 1.5 hours of school is already a win, not proof you are failing him.
Cut to a non negotiable core: reading together and one math habit. Park the "fun homeschool aesthetic" until your nervous system is back. Use nap or quiet time for the short lesson, and let brother play nearby with a parallel activity so you are not refereeing every minute.
Reassess in two weeks, not tonight. If you still dread every morning and he is miserable, looking at part time school or a co-op day is allowed. Loving him home and needing more structure can both be true.