Overcoming Homeschool Anxiety
When it comes to homeschooling, it’s normal to struggle with anxiety as you worry about making the best choices for your children. That’s why in today’s Real Moms, Real Talk, we’re hearing from Stephanie - a self-described “free-spirited, anxiety ridden, Montessori homeschooling mama.” She’s sharing with us her homeschooling story and how she’s worked to overcome her own anxiety to create a nurturing Montessori homeschool.
Meet Stephanie
Getting started with homeschooling wasn’t easy. I learned early on that I am a mom that needs the structure of a curriculum to guide me and help me stay on track.
So, before we got started, I spent months anxiously hunting for the perfect Montessori homeschooling curriculum. I was nervous that I would make the wrong choice, spend too much money, spend too little money, or worst of all, wind up with a curriculum the kids don’t enjoy. I must have researched hundreds of different homeschool preschool curriculum options, but something about Multisori just felt right.
When I finally took the plunge & had the Montessori curriculum in my hands, I knew I made the right choice. M3 by Multisori has everything we need! It’s easy to use, it’s fun and – oh boy – is it comprehensive!
Plus it helps us follow our kids’ leads, keep track of where we’ve been and look forward to where we’re headed – without pressure. We can dive deeply into some topics and just superficially into others. It’s totally child-led! Since the day that I decided to go for it, I haven’t regretted my curriculum decision once.
Using the Multisori Montessori Homeschool Curriculum
Once I received the curriculum, I saw that it came with a short list of supplies you need to get started.
What supplies do I need to start Montessori homeschooling?
- Laminator
- Lamination sheets
- Scissors
- Straight edge cutting tool
- Crayons
- Markers
- Pencils
- Scotch tape
- Stapler and staples
If you don’t have a color printer at home, I would recommend reaching out to Staples or the like. Overall, the supply list was a fraction of what it would cost with traditional schooling. Although not listed in the supply list, I also purchased a few extras, including a lesson planner to keep myself organized.
Feeling Overwhelmed
When I first saw the curriculum, I have to admit that I was a bit overwhelmed at how much there was to print and go through! Hello again, anxiety! But, I reminded myself that M3 by Multisori provides FOUR years of Montessori homeschool curriculum: PreK-3, PreK-4, Kindergarten and First Grade. That works out to about 725 pages of Montessori homeschool curriculum per year, which is just 15 pages per week! Goodbye, anxiety! 15 pages per week is totally doable.
Getting Started with Multisori
At that point, I picked a subject (phonics) the kids were ready for and interested in, and started printing. The first day we started with the Multisori homeschool curriculum, our Montessori preschoolers did an activity called ‘walk the letters,’ and they loved it. They were active and engaged from the start. We did a scavenger hunt the next day, and to my delight, the boys both enjoyed it and asked for more. By the time review week came, I was amazed at how much my just barely 3-year-old was retaining!
Since that first week, I have felt nothing but excited to start each new day of learning. We are 3 months into our Montessori homeschooling journey now. We have incorporated M3 by Multisori’s practical life, science, phonics, math, and sensorial subject areas into our learning time. Our children are engaged and comprehending all of the information that is so easily laid out.
Scheduling My Homeschool Week
Establishing a routine was a must. I keep a multi-pocket folder with each subjects’ work ready for me to prep each week. I spend a couple hours each Sunday planning out our week. I easily keep up, don’t get overwhelmed, and don’t fall behind. And, the kids have moms who aren’t stressed out, so our Montessori homeschool is fun!
On a real note though, of course there are days that our toddlers act like – well, toddlers! Sometimes, they don’t want to sit still or listen. I think as Moms, our natural reaction is to be frustrated when this happens and feel like we failed them. But in reality, we did not. We are allowing them to feel their real emotions and we get to bond and learn on a different level.
Keeping Homeschool Frustration at Bay
Feeling overwhelmed as a homeschooler happens. And when it does, we’re prepared! Maybe we meditate or change our plans within the curriculum to give their bodies extra movement. Maybe we just don’t do any “school” that day. I’ve come to realize that not every learning day is going to go the way we planned. But, learning to go with the flow has been so good for me - and such an amazing journey - that I wouldn’t want it any other way.
Truthfully, M3 by Multisori’s Montessori homeschool curriculum has changed our lives. The curriculum is just as amazing as the woman who made it, Mandi. She checks in and makes sure you're happy with it and loves seeing how the kids take to the activities. She is always there to answer questions, even on weekends. That is a level of support you won’t find anywhere else.
Being a part of the Montessori Inspired Homeschooling group is also an important part of my journey. We truly feel part of a homeschool family, and we want to see as many families join us as we can! That’s why we want to spread how amazing this Montessori homeschooling experience is. We are so passionate about helping other real moms teach their babies! We want to inspire and share with you.
If you would like to follow along with how we prep, work with our boys, build a fun community, and do giveaways, let’s connect on Instagram!