3 Ways to Celebrate the Little Things in Your Homeschool This Year

If you are a homeschooling parent, you spend LOTS of time with your children. Whether you are homeschooling an only child or balancing a whole brood of them, you understand the challenge of having your kids home with you ALL DAY LONG! This is why I want to talk about celebrating the little things in your homeschool.

I know, I know, it’s not easy to “celebrate” the toy clutter covering the floors, the dirty dishes stacking up in the sink, and the need to figure out (yet again) what you’re doing to make for dinner. (Seriously, a meal plan could help with that.) But back to the topic: the little things.

Add to the task of daily housekeeping and motherhood, the daily grind of being your kids’ teacher, and it ramps up the responsibility real fast … especially if you are starting to plan for teaching high school or juggling the education of children in several grades at once!

Some days it can be tough to see the good, the happy, the it’s-worth-all-this in the everyday ups and downs. Raising children is a long process, one which deserves the best of our time and effort, but doesn’t always feel so rewarding. This is why we need to see, and celebrate, the little things.

3 Ways to Celebrate the Little Things

What does it mean for you to take note of the little things so that you can appreciate and celebrate them?

1: Slow down a little bit.

We often think that, as wives and moms, we have to always be doing, going, keeping busy and productive. This simply isn’t true; we all need times of rest and rejuvenation and fun … yes, even us moms! Here are some simple ideas for you to carve out a bit of “me time” in your busy homeschool schedule:

Wake Up 15 Minutes Earlier

• Use this quiet time for a peaceful activity like journaling, meditation, stretching, or enjoying a cup of coffee (or chai) without interruptions.

Schedule a Weekly “Non-Negotiable” Block

• Choose one evening a week to dedicate to yourself, with the help of your husband or older children to help with the younger ones. Use this time for a hobby, reading, going on a brisk walk or taking a relaxing bath.

Incorporate Something You Enjoy into Routine Activities

• Listen to a few moments of an audiobook or podcast while folding laundry, cooking, or driving.

Use Quiet Time or Nap Time Wisely

• If your kids are young enough for nap times, make the most of those times. And I don’t mean by always tackling chores while the kids are down. Dedicate part of this time to doing something that recharges you, like reading a book, painting, or even taking a nap.
• If your kids don’t take naps anymore, you can still have a daily “quiet time” or “down time” when you can then take a bit of down time, too.

Encourage Independent Play

• Set up an engaging activity for your kids and let them learn (or play) independently for a set period. Use that time to relax nearby with a cup of tea or do something you enjoy.

Delegate When Possible

• Share household responsibilities with your husband or older children to free up some time for yourself.

Create a Bedtime Ritual

• After the kids are asleep (or having a before-bed reading hour), dedicate the last minutes of your day to something relaxing, like skincare, journaling, or watching a show with your husband.

2: Make an effort to be present in the moment.

In order to notice the little things, you also need to be “there”–and not just physically. Sometimes we are so busy thinking about what’s next or multitasking in order to get everything done that we neglect the joy of just being present with our kids.

This was a mistake I made a lot when my children were young. Our situation necessitated me working from home in addition to the tasks of housekeeping and teaching. (I know plenty of you homeschool moms are also work-from-home moms so you understand this extra pressure.) I was often fitting in editing work during any moment my kids didn’t actively need me.

When they played or rested, I worked. Then one day, my youngest said to his cousin, “Moms don’t play.” That woke me up to realize I needed to play and rest, too … not just for me but for the sake of my kids.

When you’re present in the moment, you notice little things like this:

• Maybe your oft-contentious children got through an entire morning without arguing (a miracle!).
• Or maybe you finally found a math curriculum that works for your homeschool.
• Perhaps you did something as simple as enjoy a nature walk together or managed to fit a fun and educational experiment into your school time!

3: Remove some things from your schedule.

In order to take time for, appreciate, and choose joy in the little things, you might need to trim back on the unecessary, or at least prioritize what you need to do that day.

Seriously, say no to overcommitment! It’s okay to decline extra activities or responsibilities. Simplify your schedule to prioritize your family and your well-being. This is just as important as your to-do list.

I urge you, in the busyness of your day, to look for and celebrate the Little Things that make each of your children special, and those things that make all the stress, worry, and work so very worth it!

What personal ways have you chosen to celebrate the little things in your family and homeschool? We’d love to hear it!