Creating Joy In Homeschooling

We are in our tenth year of homeschooling and we have had good and not-so-good years. Creating joy in homeschooling is one way to partially control the outcome of the school year.

We can not control our circumstances, but we can control how we react/respond to them. That is a lesson I have been learning all of my life and may never master, but will never stop trying!

Of course, there are always circumstances out of our control that are factors in how the homeschool year goes, but how we react/respond to those events matter. Creating joy in homeschooling helps us to circle back around to what actually matters in life.

The concept of creating joy is simple: look for and/or create joyful moments in each day, week, month, and year of your homeschool! Little moments make up the entirety of life, how many of them can be made into joyful ones?

Here are a few ways that we have been creating joy in homeschooling days and adding beauty to our home. Subtle, yet powerful.

Joyful Homeschooling Is Possible With These Resources

Handmade, All Natural, 100% Pure Scented Bee Wax Candle 
Minimalism Art, Classic Notebook Journal
The Most Relaxing Classical Music in the Universe
Easy-to-Do Crochet Kit
Holy Bible
Honey for a Child’s Heart

Seeking & Creating Joy In Homeschooling

• light a candle. Whether for meals, snacks, or read-aloud time lighting a candle immediately gives a feeling of calm, cozy, and beauty. This is something I just started and it has been a blessing. We love the natural bee’s wax candles best.
• play some music. From classical to hymns, the addition of music playing quietly can brighten the home and bring joy to the family. Choose uplifting tunes that you all enjoy listening to.
• read a book. Either read to your children or assign reading they can read to themselves for 15-minutes every day, in between the chaos of more stressful lessons or household chores. It can give everyone a peaceful moment they need to decompress.
• journal together. Lead your children, by example, in journaling every morning. Gathering and sorting thoughts on paper – whether through the written word or through art/pictures – is a great way to start the day. Practice counting blessings and seeking joy to record in your journal.
• saturate your home in Scripture. Start and end your days together with Bible reading, write a Bible verse on the chalk/whiteboard, play worship music, turn to scripture when seeking answers to conflict or questions, etc. Just immersing your home/family in God’s Word is the ultimate in creating joy in homeschool life!
• go outside into nature. Intentionally take the time to enjoy God’s creation and point it out to your children, every day. Ask your children to discover something beautiful and joyful in nature to thank God for!
• take a break from textbooks. Choose a project or activity to do in your homeschool that actually sparks joy within all of your hearts. It may be handiwork, artwork, baking, or something else. Ask your children what they’d like to do!
• slow down. I am so guilty of rushing through everything. Breakfast, morning time, school lessons … I am impatient and barking orders through it all. It stems from fear of failing to get it all done. But, I find that when I slow down and calmly persevere through each moment, we actually accomplish more. Go figure!
• smile more. It goes without saying that a smile brings joy to yourself and others around you. It never hurts to choose to smile at your children (and husband) more often, am I right?

A lot of the above start with our simple morning time routine. I think it is best to start the day right!

How are you creating joy in homeschooling your children? Please share your additional ideas, because we can never have too much joy!

He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the Lord. Psalm 113:9