Debunking the Myths: "I Wouldn't Be Able to Cope With My Kids 24/7!"

I get it, I really do.

I love having time to myself, I crave it sometimes. So, how on earth does being with my kids for most of the week possibly work well?

If you’re used to a full and busy week, rushing from one thing to another and dealing with the everyday challenges of parenting, the idea of spending more time with your kids might feel like too much. And even if your days aren’t especially busy, you might just enjoy having your own space.

This was one of our main concerns when we started thinking about home ed. We were still in the intense toddler and preschool years with our kids and the idea of doing this for the next several years felt daunting.

But what surprised me about home ed - especially as we moved out of those intense years - was that being around each other more often has made our days feel less chaotic, not more.

How?

When your days are full of drop-offs, clubs, appointments and you're squeezing things in alongside other external commitments, it’s easy for energy to run low and stress to build up. By the end of the day, even small frustrations can feel bigger than they really are and there can be less time to connect.

With home ed, there's often more space and fewer constraints in your week, so it's possible to slow down a bit.

You can adjust plans and make time for what your whole family needs, creating routines and boundaries that actually work for you.

Of course, not every family will find this kind of space - you may have children who need close support all day, or other challenges that make it hard to find some breathing room. But even then, having as much freedom as possible to shape your time can be such a relief.

And to be really honest, because of this, I've come to really enjoy hanging out with my kids. There are definitely days when I want to lock myself in the bathroom for some peace and days that are just plain tough.

But on the whole, when we have more say over our days - and when we know how each of us works best - things feel more relaxed and we enjoy each other's company more.

This isn't overnight magic. It can take time to find your groove as a family, but it's worth it. Also, as your kids grow, space will open up in your days - it's not always as intense as it feels when they're younger. They might have groups and activities they go to for a few hours, or maybe all day. They’ll also spend a lot of time doing their own thing: friends, play, projects and hobbies.

You don't need to entertain them every moment of every day - they need time to be bored, to explore, to create on their own. This is really important and I'll write more on this in future posts. Trying to entertain them all day long is a fast route to burnout.

Finally, you're likely to be connecting with other home educators who really 'get it'. This helps so much. There’s a vibrant community out there ready to share resources, offer support and build friendships - once you tap into it, it really can make all the difference.