Home-schooling moms share valuable advice

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. -- When Virginia Governor Ralph Northam ordered schools closed for the rest of the year, it fell on some parents to keep the learning going at home.

"I have to keep reminding myself that public school teachers had rough days too," home-schooling mom Shelly Lundie said. “And days where they didn't feel like they got a lot done."

You can trust Lundie. She has home schooled four kids. She'll tell you to take a breath and just keep your kids on track as best you can.

"That's probably one of the biggest things that people who, right now, are thrown into homeschooling feel is overwhelmed that they want to try to get everything done and you just have to accept that you can't get everything done.," she said.

Even so, Bridge Academy Owner/Administrator Alicia Collins said it can feel overwhelming.

"However once you get into it, you find your groove," Collins said. "You figure out how your kids learn and what encourages your students. Then you can kind of morph into that."

Collins called Virginia a very friendly homeschooling state. You can access a lot of information through the Home Educators Association of Virginia website. And there are people willing to step up and help you find your child's strengths.

"If your student has a difficult time, let’s just say with math, then you really can take the time to understand before just moving on. But if they thrive in another area, English or History, then you can really dive deep into that."

Collins and Lundie agreed the important thing is take it one day at a time.

"I don't feel like I have it all together all the time, that's for sure,"”Lundie said. “And I don't think other homeschool moms feel like that either. I think that's one of the biggest jokes is that, or for any parent, to feel like you have it all together all the time."

Take a deep breath.

Stay on track.

And enjoy the time with your kids.

A great path to Building Better Minds.