By: Mimi Rothschild

Homeschooling is an important, life changing step for you and your child or children. It is a calculated decision not made on impulse, rather a daily choice to instill Christian values and be a positive role model in his/her life.

Here are three easy tips to sustaining your decision and maximizing the overall experience:

•1.)    Start on time

Sure, things happen and reasons turn into excuses quicker than flapjacks can turn into Frisbees. And it is as much on you as it is the student/s. Pick a time, agree to it with your child or children, and stick to it. If your child is ten or fifteen minutes late to class, keep him or her during recess or after school for that same amount of time. Think of it this way: were you or your spouse allowed to arrive and depart work whenever you pleased? School is a student’s job. Teaching is your calling. You can do it with diligence and integrity!

•2.)    Bathroom pass

Yes, this does sound silly. We can agree on it, but try it. It works for some families. Have a lesson plan or morning activity to create a lovable and livable set of rules and a bathroom pass. My kids, during one of our art classes, cut theirs into the shape of a skeleton key and wrapped it with layers and layers of clear contact paper making it stiff as a board – they said it felt more real that way. Hanging it under their progress chart reminded them that every action has an equally powerful reaction. Miss class because you are playing with the dog instead of using the bathroom, no gold star for the morning, afternoon or perhaps even the day!

•3.)    Divide and Conquer, with books

If you find your child losing his/her attention quickly and distracting your other students/children, consider building a bookcase or divider to keep the focus. Bookcases were particularly helpful in our home, because it enabled me to see the learning in my children’s eyes. No distractions. Plus, reference material was right at their fingertips. Our computer was located behind them, so I could see the monitor while one of them was completing their course work online.

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I know structure and discipline aren’t easy exercises to instill, but I also know that time and effort will equate to success. Utilize these three easy steps and you’ll find yourself and your students maximizing your time together. If you need it, you can create daily structure, discipline and an enriching experience for you and your children. I bet you’ll be pleased with the results!

Feel free to e-mail me at Mimi@LearningbyGrace.org with questions or techniques you find helpful. God Bless!