Do you want to avoid distractions in your homeschooling day?

Outside distractions can take a successful school day and turn it into a chaotic mess!

As homeschooling families, we understand that what we are doing is more than just

“schooling at home”…homeschooling is a lifestyle; and therefore, we know that many

times during a school day, we will digress, switch gears, implement plan B, C, D, or E as necessary;

and pretty much “go with the flow” as best we can to remain

productive while keeping a peaceful atmosphere.









However, sometimes we can fall into the trap of allowing unnecessary distractions to

creep into our lessons. When this occurs, the rhythm of the school day will quickly

fall apart and productivity will come to a screeching halt!

Don't let these common culprits ruin your school day!

Too much “ringing” going on while you teach?

Feeling the need to answer every call?

These phone calls are HUGE outside distractions!

Try putting a pre-recorded message on your answering machine that lets callers know classes are in session and you will return calls either during lunch hour or at the end of the school day…you could even let the kids provide a catchy rhyming message for fun!

Example Message: Hello! Thanks for calling the Dudiches. We are unable to take your call at this time because our homeschooling lessons are in progress. Please leave a message and we will return your call during our lunch hour or after school. God bless, and have a great day!

Example Kid Rhyme: Greetings to you from the Dudich house. You will find right now it is quiet as a mouse! Our classes are in session and we’re studying hard…so we can’t come to the phone or play in the yard…but just leave a message, and when we’re through, we’ll do our best to get back to you!

Once you have the message in place…STICK TO IT! DO NOT ANSWER THE PHONE during school (except for husband’s call of course!)After a few days, callers will know to expect your answering machine if they are trying to reach you during lessons.









The Computer!

Make sure that the time you’re spending on the computer during class is FOR CLASS!

Don’t give in to the temptation to check email, shop, or read your favorite blogs

during the children’s learning time! They do not want a distracted teacher any more

than you want a distracted student!

Save those hobbies for your lunch hour, early morning hours (before the kids are up),

or after school is over for the day.

Computer games can become distractions to your lessons as well.

Try not to use them to keep the young ones entertain.

While these games can be lots of fun, they are also extremely distracting to any students

who are nearby trying to work.

If you are using the computer for your lessons, try to know ahead of time what sites

you need to visit and where to find the print-outs or information you seek. This will

cut down on wasted time spent “browsing” the internet trying to find what you need.









Chores

While most homeschooling moms become experts at throwing in that load of laundry

between lessons…don’t get so caught up in your household duties that you don’t

return to your studies! Working a few chores in here or there during your class times

is ok, and even necessary…but becoming preoccupied with that clean house can lead to distractions that become the

detriment of your academic success if you are constantly leaving the lessons

aside to catch up on housework. Save the majority of your housework for weekends,

lunch hour, or after lessons are complete.

Set goals for yourself of keeping the MAIN parts of the house tidy and don’t worry

too much about the extras….they’ll still be there when class is over!








Impromptu Visits

One of the blessings of homeschooling for me has always been the ability to be

flexible with my time…and to be more spontaneous when it comes to field trips,

visits, service to others and excursions!

However, too much of a good thing isn’t good! And

visits during class time can become distractions!

Don’t “send a message” that people can just “drop in” anytime they want simply

because they know you are home. Yes, you want to be available to help a neighbor

who finds themselves in sudden need…but you do not have to continually stop school

early or leave tasks undone because a friendly acquaintance decided to pop in for

tea.

Arrange a few play dates here and there and put them on the calendar.

Other than that, if someone comes to the door, simply apologize and explain that

you can not visit at the moment for your classes are still in session. (Like the pre-recorded phone message,

you can hang a note on the front door which says to come

back after school hours).

This suggestion doesn’t mean that you have to become inhospitable…surely there will

be times when the “rule was made to be broken”…but, generally speaking, your

homeschooling experience will reap more benefits if you try to avoid unsolicited visits

during school time.









TELEVISION

Many homeschooling families do not even own a television.

However, for those who do, it is wise to avoid this unnecessary distraction to your

school day! It can be quite tempting to plop those Little Ones down in front of a

toddler program or video so that you can pay more attention to the older students…

(and this may just be necessary on occasion)…

HOWEVER,TRY TO AVOID IT.

See our TODDLER ACTIVITIES page. You'll find a variety of ideas that will help you entertain,

challenge, and satisfy your Little Ones during your school time.

Use the television for educational viewing only (such as the great VIDEO TEXT MATH Programs available to you)

Science videos, History programs, Religious viewing and more... all have their proper

place and benefit in a homeschooling ~ but don’t let the TV become

an outside distraction to your learning!

If you have comments or ideas that you'd like to see added to this page, drop us a line and SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS!

We welcome your input!

A FOCUSED HOMESCHOOL IS A SUCCESSFUL HOMESCHOOL!

May God BLESS your learning experience!