Home Schooling Problems:
What Should I Do?

Can you relate to any of these home schooling problems in your family? Your child…

• dawdles endlessly,
• is completely careless in work that she is capable of doing well,
• often argues defiantly about her assignments,
• passively “loses” her textbook, or
• “forgets” her assignment.

If you have experienced these things too, then you and I both know that when they happen, something needs to change! But what?

As home schooling parents, we need to be like doctors and look beyond the outlying symptoms to see what is the actual cause of the problem. While the root of most problems is never exactly cut and dried, home schooling problems can usually be generalized into one of four main causes. I call these The Big Four C’s for Choosing (or Changing) Home School Curriculum. They are:

• Character,
• Circumstances,
• Calendar, and
• Curriculum.

Before you rush out to buy a new curriculum, or quit home schooling altogether, here are some simple steps you can do right now to figure out what might be the root cause of some of your home schooling problems:

1. Read and re-read the links above, the suggestions, ideas, resources and tips for each of The Big Four C's of Choosing (or Changing) Home School Curriculum. Bookmark them and refresh them often as I am updating them often as I have time.

   As you reflect on possible causes for the stress you are facing, remember that those unwanted behaviors -- the dawdling, the whining, the sloppiness -- while not pleasant to live with, and not acceptable over the long haul – may be signals that you need to address something deeper going on inside your child.

   Perhaps your child isn't able to communicate her frustration in a more healthy way, but she is still in her own way asking for help.

2. Implement the SALT Your Life Principles, four simple steps that have really helped the atmosphere in our home. I am a long way from perfect, but to the extent that I have tried to do these four things, I have healed a lot of hurt feelings, and hopefully, prevented others. You can read a brief overview of the SALT Your Life Principles on this page.

3. Ask for help. This may mean having a doctor or learning specialist evaluate your child for a physical problem, or a pastor or counselor give your family some tools to communicate better. It may mean just getting a bit of outside help to watch the younger kids for a few hours a week.

4. Pray. This is, to me, the underlying, crucial key to unlocking the peace and success we all so much want for our families. As you take time to reflect on your family life and home schooling problems, pray with an open heart about your child, your expectations, your hopes and dreams. I firmly believe that there is a Creator who wants to answer your longings for wisdom and spiritual direction.

   He made you and your child, and chose to put you together in your unique family. He knows all of your needs and those of your child far better than anyone else. Find out more about Jesus, the very best advisor for home schooling problems.

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