Comments on: Navigating the land mines of the homeschool day https://simplehomeschool.net/land-mines/ Never let your schooling interrupt your education. Wed, 11 Feb 2026 15:51:57 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 By: Caryn https://simplehomeschool.net/land-mines/#comment-809780 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=34184#comment-809780 In reply to Jeannie.

There are also clocks you can buy for toddlers that show a red light during the night until it’s time to wake up, then the light turns green in the morning (based on a traffic light – red means stop, green means go) – it may be helpful if your little one doesn’t quite grasp seven yet. There is a problem with these clocks in that they tend to look like a toy – they may need to stay on a shelf out of reach to avoid getting played with.

]]> By: Jen https://simplehomeschool.net/land-mines/#comment-263676 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=34184#comment-263676 In reply to Jen.

Oops – should’ve read on in the comments first, before posting. Someone else already suggested this. Sorry for the duplication!

]]> By: Jen https://simplehomeschool.net/land-mines/#comment-263674 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=34184#comment-263674 In reply to Erica.

I’m a little late to the party here (just found this via pinterest), but…
one of the best tips I’ve found for the kinesthetic learner is to let them use that balance ball AS THEIR SEAT at the “school” table. They can wiggle away from the shoulders down, continually readjusting balance while they work those math problems, do that spelling quiz, or whatever…

]]> By: Anne @ Modern Mrs Darcy https://simplehomeschool.net/land-mines/#comment-241148 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=34184#comment-241148 In reply to Melissa Zech.

Yes, it’s so good to know what works for our individual kids! Great reminder for a topic like this.

]]> By: Anne @ Modern Mrs Darcy https://simplehomeschool.net/land-mines/#comment-241146 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=34184#comment-241146 In reply to Annie.

I’m not kidding when I say it’s taken me way too long to figure these things out as an ADULT. Here’s hoping my kids learn self-awareness earlier than I did. 🙂

]]> By: Annette https://simplehomeschool.net/land-mines/#comment-240800 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=34184#comment-240800 I homeschooled my two kids through high school. I used all these tips when we needed them. It is so important to pay attention to what is happening and to try to get ahead of the meltdown. I especially agree with the advice to go easy on the super-tired parent or child. Schedule a day off. We schooled year round so we could plan breaks when things were tough.

]]> By: Galina https://simplehomeschool.net/land-mines/#comment-240558 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=34184#comment-240558 I too, have very active kids, and I couldnt agree with you more on how important it is for kids to “use” their energy. We usually go for a walk first thing in the morning, and if they need to use their little trampoline during the recess, they sure are welcome to do so.
I also realize that we dont have enought breaks, so I will definatly will have more of them this year.
Thank you!
http://www.SproutsOfLife.com

]]> By: Laurel https://simplehomeschool.net/land-mines/#comment-240404 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=34184#comment-240404 Love #4! My DD is an extrovert and I’m an introvert, so it makes for interesting days sometimes. 🙂

]]> By: Marijoy https://simplehomeschool.net/land-mines/#comment-240399 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=34184#comment-240399 In reply to Lesli.

Lesli! Oh my word, it’s like you are in my head! Yes! I’m a pinball bouncing from one thing to the next. All good things, but maybe not the best things? My “word” this year is FOCUS. And I have really said no to many of the things I used to do in order to streamline my focus and thoughts and not be so tempted to spread out in my mind. It’s helping so far this Fall. I think everything you listed is great to do, too, so I try to make our “schedule” unregimented enough for those whim moments (which I love and why I homeschool.) I have a feeling I’d have some serious head nodding conversation if we sat down over coffee. 😉

]]> By: Marijoy https://simplehomeschool.net/land-mines/#comment-240398 http://simplehomeschl.wpengine.com/?p=34184#comment-240398 I LOVE this. So much. Especially the self-care. That is the number one piece of advice I wish other homeschoolers would have given me when I started. One landmine I have FINALLY figured out is “too much sibling time.” Meaning my two kids can only handle so much of shared space for their lessons. I now separate them in to completely different rooms and make their alone time something they enjoy, while the other gets one on one time with me. Then we switch. We are all so much happier. (duh)

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