Homeschooling 101 for parents – the ultimate survival guide

Guest Post from Yumble – Healthy Meals for Kids

Homeschooling is a frightening prospect for some working parents. Getting your day organized and kids meals planned means you can survive – and thrive!

Homeschooling takes adjustment, preparation, and dedication. It can be daunting, but we have your back! This article gives some top tips to survive and even enjoy the homeschool experience.

Be clear on your expectations

First things first – do not put too much pressure on yourself. Nobody is expecting you to pull out a whiteboard and be a full-time teacher. The idea of homeschooling is to provide the best environment for your child to continue learning during this period.

The best plan for this is to build a realistic schedule that works for you and your child. Stick to it as best you can each day, but do not stress when it goes awry. Plan homeschool kids meal breaks and exercise into the day, too, so all bases are covered.

Test what works

You may find that some days your schedule simply does not work. There may be an urgent requirement from your job that you simply have to attend to. Have some backup plans ready for these periods. Your kids can enjoy some dancing or kids’ yoga classes on YouTube while you work.

Not everything has to be books and study. You can also do some practical work. Try baking, building a new Lego design, or even some simple gardening. You can even have your child ‘help’ you with some housework. Settling them down with some art and craft activities is also a great way to buy a little time.

Kids meals

Plan your kids meals for homeschool days. Healthy kids need their share of fruit and vegetables. Even fussy eaters will enjoy treats for working hard! Try healthy snacks but with a tasty sauce. Broccoli with a cheese dip or cucumber in salsa work especially well to get around picky eating!

Set a routine – and build in rewards

Draw up a schedule on some paper or a whiteboard every morning. Talk your child through it and see if they are comfortable with it. Tell them when break times and lunch will be. Let them know what delicious treats are on the menu! This is especially important for fussy eaters.

For schoolwork, try to fit in the most important activities such as math and English in the morning. All kids will be fresher and focused after a good night’s sleep, not to mention a wholesome breakfast.