If you’re homeschooling your special needs child, you know how emotionally draining it can be. You may sometimes long to be one of those parents who sends her child away on the bus each day, giving herself a much-needed break. Be proud of yourself that you’ve chosen to devote your time and energy to your child, and try the following suggestions to keep optimism alive:
Keep a Gratitude Journal
Keep a journal just for recording the positive moments with your special needs child. Whenever you have a particularly good day or see improvement, jot down a quick note for yourself in your journal, highlighting the victory. When you’re feeling discouraged, read through the journal and relive those moments of joy.
Use Your Camera
While homeschooling, you’ll probably feel like your days are filled with demands. It’s important to capture the golden moments so you maintain a good attitude. Use your camera to take pictures of foods you’ve prepared, high scores on tests, successful assignments, times when your child looks particularly good or happy, and other important moments. Don’t worry about uploading, printing, or scrapbooking – just use your camera to point and shoot. The very action of deciding a moment is special enough to record, will lift your spirits.
Indulge in One “Me” Moment Each Day
Or perhaps you’ll need a “me” hour each day! Teachers get lunch breaks and planning breaks; you need time to recharge also. Look into options for breaks each day, and take advantage of those breaks with a clear conscious. Perhaps you can nap while your child naps (if you should be so lucky as to have a child who still needs naps) or read while your child plays at a neighbor’s house. Resist the temptation to do domestic chores and instead take care of you for at least a few minutes every day, doing something that refreshes your soul.
Remind Yourself Why You Chose to Homeschool
Write out a list of reasons why you chose to do this. Then post that list somewhere visible so you can remind yourself that this was your choice, and you once felt it was the right decision. You may want to revisit this decision from time to time, thinking through what the advantages and disadvantages of homeschooling are. It’s easier to remain positive when you know you have a choice and you feel good about the choice you’ve made.
Surround Yourself With Positive Examples
Scour the Internet for posters, stories, and quotes from and about people who have special needs but have contributed to the world in extraordinary ways. Become a collector of these things, and post pictures, news stories, and quotes around your home to inspire your child and yourself.
Network With Other Parents of Special Needs Children
You can find formal support groups, online forums, and local homeschooling advocates who will offer encouragement and new ideas. Meet for play dates, coffee, or to exchange homeschooling duties (perhaps you love math and another parent loves language arts). The social connection will buoy your spirit and will help you realize you are not alone.
Let the Computer Perform For You
Homeschooling is exhausting; you and your child need a break from one another from time to time. Rely on online classes when possible so the computer can carry some of the burden. You’ll find a variety of online resources, including video tutorials, video classes, self-paced online classes, and online educational games. Don’t feel guilty when you put in an educational video or set your child up with an educational video game. Remind yourself that most parents send their kids to school for eight to ten hours a day; you have chosen to be your child’s primary educator. Pat yourself on the back and take a much-deserved break, knowing you are doing your best.
Homeschooling is tough, but you can do it. Take the time for self care and to discover what supplies you with the emotional strength you need to be the best homeschooling parent you can be.
About the author:
Amanda Tradwick is a grant researcher and writer for CollegeGrants.org. She has a Bachelor's degrees from the University of Delaware, and has recently finished research on free college grants and native american grants for college.
Keep a Gratitude Journal
Keep a journal just for recording the positive moments with your special needs child. Whenever you have a particularly good day or see improvement, jot down a quick note for yourself in your journal, highlighting the victory. When you’re feeling discouraged, read through the journal and relive those moments of joy.
Use Your Camera
While homeschooling, you’ll probably feel like your days are filled with demands. It’s important to capture the golden moments so you maintain a good attitude. Use your camera to take pictures of foods you’ve prepared, high scores on tests, successful assignments, times when your child looks particularly good or happy, and other important moments. Don’t worry about uploading, printing, or scrapbooking – just use your camera to point and shoot. The very action of deciding a moment is special enough to record, will lift your spirits.
Indulge in One “Me” Moment Each Day
Or perhaps you’ll need a “me” hour each day! Teachers get lunch breaks and planning breaks; you need time to recharge also. Look into options for breaks each day, and take advantage of those breaks with a clear conscious. Perhaps you can nap while your child naps (if you should be so lucky as to have a child who still needs naps) or read while your child plays at a neighbor’s house. Resist the temptation to do domestic chores and instead take care of you for at least a few minutes every day, doing something that refreshes your soul.
Remind Yourself Why You Chose to Homeschool
Write out a list of reasons why you chose to do this. Then post that list somewhere visible so you can remind yourself that this was your choice, and you once felt it was the right decision. You may want to revisit this decision from time to time, thinking through what the advantages and disadvantages of homeschooling are. It’s easier to remain positive when you know you have a choice and you feel good about the choice you’ve made.
Surround Yourself With Positive Examples
Scour the Internet for posters, stories, and quotes from and about people who have special needs but have contributed to the world in extraordinary ways. Become a collector of these things, and post pictures, news stories, and quotes around your home to inspire your child and yourself.
Network With Other Parents of Special Needs Children
You can find formal support groups, online forums, and local homeschooling advocates who will offer encouragement and new ideas. Meet for play dates, coffee, or to exchange homeschooling duties (perhaps you love math and another parent loves language arts). The social connection will buoy your spirit and will help you realize you are not alone.
Let the Computer Perform For You
Homeschooling is exhausting; you and your child need a break from one another from time to time. Rely on online classes when possible so the computer can carry some of the burden. You’ll find a variety of online resources, including video tutorials, video classes, self-paced online classes, and online educational games. Don’t feel guilty when you put in an educational video or set your child up with an educational video game. Remind yourself that most parents send their kids to school for eight to ten hours a day; you have chosen to be your child’s primary educator. Pat yourself on the back and take a much-deserved break, knowing you are doing your best.
Homeschooling is tough, but you can do it. Take the time for self care and to discover what supplies you with the emotional strength you need to be the best homeschooling parent you can be.
About the author:
Amanda Tradwick is a grant researcher and writer for CollegeGrants.org. She has a Bachelor's degrees from the University of Delaware, and has recently finished research on free college grants and native american grants for college.
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