Encouraging Moms at Home

Tips, Tricks and Tools for the #MomWin

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Brand Inquiries
    • Full Disclosure
    • Our Writing Team
  • Homemaking
    • Cleaning
    • Essential Oils
    • Recipes
      • Instant Pot
      • Gluten Free Dairy Free
      • Using Produce
      • Cooking with Pumpkin
    • Nutrition
    • Food Preservation
  • Homeschooling
    • Homeschool Resources
    • Homeschool Encouragement
    • Homeschool High School
    • Special Needs
    • Homeschooling Art
    • Homeschool STEM
    • Charlotte Mason
    • Homeschool Technology
    • Teen and Tween Writers
    • Homeschool Notebooking
  • Teaching Ideas
    • Free Printables
    • MInecraft
    • LEGO
    • Fine Motor Skills
  • Family Life
    • Gift Guides
    • Kid’s Activities
    • Summer Fun
    • Hiking
    • Moving
    • Christian Life
      • Christian Family Activities
      • Scripture Memory
      • Poetry
      • Creation
      • Advent and Christmas
      • Thanksgiving
  • Moms
    • Encouragement
    • Budget And Finances
    • Mom Fashion
    • Date Your Spouse
    • Work At Home
  • Shop
    • My Account

Homeschooling the “Non-Stop” Child

by Jennifer Duncan 9 Comments

Posts contain affiliate links. This means, if you choose to make a purchase, I will make a commission at no extra cost to you. For more information please see our full disclosure.
161shares
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

One of the amazing things about homeschooling our children is the amount and quality of time that we get to spend with them. At first, I didn’t really understand this. I knew that I would spend more time with my son, but I didn’t realize how sharp that difference really is.

I am incredibly blessed to have that time with my son, and I wouldn’t change it for the world. Not one second of it. Our homeschooling journey was a bit windy, but wonderful.

Homeschooling can be exhausting. Our kids can be more energetic and intense than we are. Or more than the other kids are. Take a look at these tips to help you stay ahead of even those energetic kids.

On the level of keeping it real, though, I think we can all admit that there are times it gets a little exhausting. When one or more of your children is energetic and intense, it can become even more so.

If you can relate, have no fear: you can approach this year armed with ways to stay ahead of your kids!

Start With Prayer

Start each day, each week, each semester, and each year with prayer.

It doesn’t have to be a long, scheduled session (although that works, too); it can be a few focused minutes before you start your day.

Starting each new day or phase with prayer does two things. First, it centers your heart and mind on God, rather than on the million little details that love to become distractions. Second, it reminds you continually that you are not in this alone.

Ultimately, God knows your kids even better and loves them even more than you do. Let him help you truly meet your kids’ needs.

Have a Backup Plan

If you know that your child might run through your lesson plans in no time, it’s a good idea to have ideas ready and waiting in reserve.

Do you remember that unit that looked amazing, but you had no idea when you’d be able to work it in? Or that science experiment that sounded like a lot of fun, but has nothing to do with what you’ve got planned? Well, this might just be the perfect time to pull it out.

For a variety of reasons, our kids don’t always abide by our carefully planned days. Perhaps you have a gifted (neurologically atypical) child who will whip right through random lessons (or even full textbooks) like nothing you’ve ever seen, but spend weeks or months on others. Maybe you have a child with a very high energy level but an ability to focus that doesn’t yet match up.

Either way, you’re going to need something a little extra for when those times hit.

Get Flexible

This is a hard one for many of us, especially at first. In the midst of being a wife, educating our kids, keeping a home running somewhat smoothly, volunteer or ministry service, and maybe even working part or full time, there’s a lot to keep straight. Letting some of those details go sounds pretty intimidating.

Now don’t get me wrong; there are things in each family that are non-negotiable. However, there are a number of things we moms tend to hold onto because they’re tied to structures that we’re comfortable with.

At times, letting some of those things go is worth the benefit.

In our family, one of those things was a set bedtime. I tried…oh, how I tried. However, I have a profoundly gifted child who just doesn’t need as much sleep as most people. (This is a pretty common trait among neurologically atypical kids.) He generally does just fine on a few hours of sleep a night, but if I try to force him into “normal” sleeping habits, it doesn’t go well.

So, we came up with a compromise. He gets to make his own sleep schedule as long as he also controls his attitude and his responsibilities. If he shows me a bad attitude or lets his schoolwork or responsibilities slide, I take over his schedule.

We’ve done this for the past 12 or 13 years (he’s now 19), and it has worked out well. Is it something I would suggest for every child? Of course not, but it’s worked well for him. He has learned self-control, autonomy and responsibility for his choices, and respect for others. If I had been more concerned about keeping a bedtime schedule than meeting his needs, much of what he has learned would not have taken place.

Putting It All Together

These details will look different in every family, but it is something to consider. Is there an area in which a bit more flexibility would benefit your non-stop child?

Homeschooling (and parenting) the child that just doesn’t stop is never going to be an easy task. There are ways to stay a step ahead of them, though. It just takes a little forethought and organization!

 

161shares
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Disclosure

9 Comments
Homeschooling

Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. Jacqueline Wilson (The Homeschool Super Freak) says

    September 2, 2017 at 1:17 PM

    I love that you encourage flexibility. I found that one of the hardest things to remember/do when I first started homeschooling. Great advice here!

    Reply
    • Jennifer Duncan says

      September 11, 2017 at 3:05 PM

      Thank you! Yes, flexibility was definitely a hard one to learn, but oh, so important. I appreciate your comment!

      Reply
  2. Crystal Green says

    September 11, 2017 at 10:33 AM

    This is all wonderful advice. I deal with three kids who are all like this. They challenge me daily. They also drain me dry of all energy and mental capacity.
    I always have to be ready with new ideas.

    Reply
    • Jennifer Duncan says

      September 11, 2017 at 3:08 PM

      I know what you mean! I finally started using time my son was away (visiting grandparents, at camp, etc.) as times to prep things for him. That way, they were ready to pull out whenever I needed them, but I didn’t have to do that *and* try to manage school at a thousand miles an hour. 🙂 It sure got me in the habit of staying ahead of him! Hopefully, there are some ideas here that will be helpful to you.

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Homeschooling the “Non-Stop” Child - A Helping Hand Homeschool says:
    September 2, 2017 at 4:44 PM

    […] keep up with the child who never stops? Well, for that answer, I’m going to send you over to a guest post that I wrote today on Encouraging Moms at Home. In it, I go over some basic, can’t miss ‘em […]

    Reply
  2. Homeschooling High School: The Non-Traditional Guide to Teaching Science - A Helping Hand Homeschool says:
    September 14, 2017 at 11:13 PM

    […] my gifted, non-stop, completely out-of-the-box child who took (and passed) high school biology at age 11. He followed […]

    Reply
  3. Devotional Thoughts: In Everything, Give Thanks - A Helping Hand Homeschool says:
    October 22, 2017 at 2:31 PM

    […] may have read in previous posts about my non-stop, 2E child. He’s always had the learning differences that come with being 2E (twice exceptional), […]

    Reply
  4. Real Life Homeschooling: Flexibility Is Key - A Helping Hand Homeschool says:
    October 27, 2017 at 5:57 PM

    […] told you a bit in past posts about my totally out-of-the-box kiddo; he’s amazing to teach and be around, but he sees life so differently than most other […]

    Reply
  5. In Everything, Give Thanks - Moments in Faith says:
    April 3, 2019 at 9:16 PM

    […] may have read posts on my sister site about my non-stop, 2E child. He’s always had the learning differences that come with being 2E (twice exceptional), […]

    Reply

Search

Keep In Touch

  • Shop
  • Contact Us
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • About Encouraging Moms at Home
  • Brand Inquiries
  • Full Disclosure with Privacy Policy
  • Our Writing Team

Kids Can Learn with LEGO Bricks

Our Latest Shenanigans

Of the new oils I got in this fun box recently, th Of the new oils I got in this fun box recently, this is by far my favorite. I put it on my sleeves at the shoulder level so I can smell it all day long. How do you use your oils? Check out the link in my profile to get this oil and be sure to check out the clearance! @rockymountainoils #oilymom #essentialoils #eos #linkinprofile #linkinbio #momsrock #momwins #momlife #motherhood #joyfulmomemts #internationalwomensday
Today I’ve been sorting through some heavy stuff Today I’ve been sorting through some heavy stuff, especially the unmasking of pedophilia and it’s prominence in the US and in our backyards. This horrifies and frightens me. I am so grateful to know that God will prevail. In the end, He wins. Everything seems so dark here in the US and it’s because of the spiritual forces of evil — but I know God will prevail. His love never fails. I’m putting my hope in this truth. #loveneverfails #godwins #godisgreater #momlife #momfierce
Guess what showed up on my doorstep this morning? Guess what showed up on my doorstep this morning? Chicken for my freezer! I’ve been struggling to find meat at reasonable prices, so I was very glad to find this. If you want chicken Use code Farmer10 to get 10% off too. Use my #linkinprofile to support my #ladyboss business! #homelife #familylife #momlife #chicken #linkinbio
This is such a tough time for so many. Our hearts This is such a tough time for so many. Our hearts and prayers are with you if you are struggling today. Reach out if you have a need. You are loved. 💕
There are so many things I need to tell you about There are so many things I need to tell you about this picture. First #sheisloved campaign with @mercyhouseglobal and sheispriceless.org - check that out it’s important. Second - that cute bracelet came from @mercyhouseglobal about a month ago and *didn’t fit*. Today it’s loose enough to twist. I haven’t lost a lot of pounds according to the scale — I kinda stalled out three or four weeks ago at 17 pounds lost — but apparently I’m losing fat. That’s a victory. Third, my hands look like my moms and will some day look like my grandmas. I consider that a blessing.  Finally, it’s been a beautiful day😍 but I’m kinda sad it took me this long to find a red marker and share the love. If you have one handy, it’s not too late to jump on board with @wearethatfamily and be a world-changer! #worldchanger #momfierce #prayformoms #especiallyteenmomsinkenya #mymomrocks
How was Mother’s Day for you. It can be an incre How was Mother’s Day for you. It can be an incredible blessing or bring incredible pain. In whatever your circumstance, I will pray that you rest in God’s presence today. #mom #momlife #momwins #momfierce #momsofinstagram #2020mom
I could not love box day more. 😊 We both get 2 I could not love box day more. 😊  We both get 25% off if you use my code. 
COOKWME-OD0BCM 
All organic produce boxes are currently  shipping to Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Maine, Ohio, West Virginia, Washington, D.C., Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee.
When every day might be your last with the ones yo When every day might be your last with the ones you love this side of heaven. ⁣
⁣
I have had a keen awareness of this for a while because of health issues, but doesn’t this current crisis bring it into focus? ⁣
⁣
We need to love our people well. ⁣
⁣
#momlife #momfierce #momwins #momtruth ⁣
⁣
She decided to come sit next to me on the porch sw She decided to come sit next to me on the porch swing and eventually turned around so she could snuggle in. She hates the porch swing. She loves me more. #goldendoodle #dogsofinstagram
Follow on Instagram
Copyright ©2021, Encouraging Moms at Home. All Rights Reserved. Custom design by Pixel Me Designs