A reader recently asked me how to handle acting as both mother and teacher.  How do you wear both hats?  How do you switch back and forth between both roles?

My answer: you don’t.

As a mother, you have been the primary teacher to your child from the moment the doctor laid that precious baby in your arms.  It was you who taught them to say “please” and “thank-you”; it was you who taught them to walk, to talk, to get dressed, to be respectful, to obey rules, to eat . . . You taught them how to accept disappointment and to handle victory.

Did you ever consider switching roles between mother and teacher then?  Of course not! It was all in a day’s work and it has been rewarding!

This is how you must approach homeschooling.

You are a mother.  And as a mother, you have been a teacher for many years.  Perhaps you wonder how you can be effective as an academic teacher without teacher training?  If so, click here and read my post on Homeschooling Certification. Bottom line is, you can do it because you have been doing it! And as you will see in the certification post, you can do it better!

• So don’t stress about switching between mother and homeschool teacher.
• Don’t plan to have them call you “Mrs ____” during homeschool hours;
• Don’t try to recreate a classroom as you remember it.

Just be you.

• Look for teachable moments throughout the day.
• Adjust to your student’s needs, interests, passions.
• Laugh with them and encourage them to keep trying when the going gets tough.

Remind them that you too struggled in school and don’t be afraid to share those struggles with them.

And most of all, remember why you are doing this.  For many of us it is to provide a solid foundation for our children in addition to strong academics.  For others it is to allow for a more flexible schedule.  Still others seek to ensure that their learning disabled student is getting the best education possible.

All all motivated by love and commitment. And when this is your motivation, you will not fail.

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