Homeschooling during hard times.

So let's face it, life can be difficult at times but when you are a single, full-time working, homeschooling parent giving up is not an option!  Life happens: Illness, divorce, foreclosure, death, and any number of other crises that develop on your path to success.  Believe me, I have gone through all of the above (except death at the moment) and I still land on my feet but it is not easy, it is not easy at all!  There are times that you will want to give up but guess what?  Giving up is NOT an option.  Why? Your kids are watching you and if you shut down, they shut down.  When you are the primary caregiver 99.9% of the time, shutting down is not an option.

Here are a few tips to get through the bumps in the road that life throws at you, and you will get through them, it just might take some time.

~Take and ask for help when you need it.  No shame in that especially in the beginning.
~School:  Keep it simple.  Just go with the basics and have a loose schedule/routine.  Kids are going to learn no matter what.  Kids are also going to learn a lot during trying times and a lot about life.  My kids are night owls so they go to bed late and wake up a little later but that is okay.  That is their natural rhythm plus I need to get up before them and work so it works for us.
~Make time for fun!  Even though you are bearing the majority of the burdens, your children will too so take a break and have some fun!
~Homeschooling can be exhausting even under the best of circumstances and even more so during crises so take some time to rest and take care of yourself.  Sometimes adrenaline will kick in and make you feel as though you have more energy than in fact you have which will ultimately come back to kick your butt later.
~You have to know that with time, the crises you are going through will pass.  I will admit that sometimes going through hard times actually makes you appreciate everything more.  It also makes you recognize how strong you are.  Your kids are strong too!  No matter what life throws your way, your kids are learning a lot more than you think, and they have more respect and admiration for you than you might realize.  Hang in there before you know it, they will be grown up!!!