Crisis-Schooling: Tips & Tricks To Keep Your Sanity

Whether you’ve homeschooled before or are just getting started, there may come a time when you find yourself crisis-schooling. These tips can help you stay grounded and keep your sanity in the midst of uncertain seasons.

As many of us have learned over the course of our lives, life is unpredictable, and crisis can strike at any time.  These unplanned curveballs throw families into chaos and disrupt daily routines—including homeschooling. A crisis can take many forms: illness, job loss, financial struggles, the death of a loved one, natural disasters, or unexpected life changes. Moments of uncertainty leave parents feeling overwhelmed and struggling to balance their children’s education with the stress of crisis management. Whether you are homeschooling by choice or have been thrust into it kicking and screaming, adjusting to this new lifestyle can feel daunting. The good news is that you are not alone, and there are ways to navigate crisis schooling with confidence and peace. 

I grew up in the public school system, spent 10 years teaching in both public and private schools, and have now homeschooled for over 16 years. As a single mom, I have also worked from home while homeschooling for over 10 years. I’m here to help!

But let’s clear up one thing first, while I do believe that I can share some tips and ideas with you because my experience has been so varied, I promise you I’m not the expert in your home.

YOU ARE!

So as you read this post (and all the other tips out there), evaluate each part for what will work for you, keeping in mind that your unique family has a unique set of people, challenges, and circumstances. There is no one-size-fits-all solution because there is no such thing as a “typical” family.

But that doesn’t mean new ideas are a bad idea! Try some new things, even if you think they seem crazy. When things don’t work, reboot and try something different.

No matter what educational requirements or expectations you’re facing, you alone know what’s best for your family and your kids. 

This is a very long post, and you don’t need to read it all, as some things won’t apply to you. So pay attention to the table of contents below to find the information that will best fit your unique circumstances. I’ll be sharing ideas for both seasoned homeschoolers and families who are educating at home temporarily.

When a crisis happens, we know that each family’s situation is unique, and finding the right approach for your specific challenges is what matters most.

CRISIS-SCHOOLING: Tips for everyone

As mentioned above, this post will seek to cover tips and tricks both for those who homeschool and those who have children who are traditionally schooled, but there are a few things we all need to keep in mind!

Now is not the time for a color-coded schedule!

For serious, even as a seasoned homeschooler, the idea of a color-coded blocked-out schedule gives me the hives. Here’s a secret everyone knows, but no one bothers to share: IT NEVER EVER WORKS!!!!

Detailed schedules don’t work because we are living, breathing humans who are DESIGNED to ebb and flow. We are designed to crave, wander, and explore. That doesn’t mean we should all go about as free-spirits who never take any responsibility. It just means we should keep in mind that life is pretty much never a set of predictable steps, and we should learn to love that.

I highly recommend you seek to establish routines and habits during this time so you aren’t frustrated with the “schedule” that really isn’t working. Here are a few practical suggestions:

• A Morning routine should be your first focus if you’ve never gotten one down pat. Stay simple but consistent. This morning routine printable is free and comes with more tips for how to implement it.
• Feeling like you’re hitting a brick wall with helping your kids develop good habits? We have a free habits for kids course on our site. Yep, I said free.
• Think of the day in “chunks” instead of hours. Designate certain activities for certain “chunks” of the day. This is HUGE in keeping kids moving. Here is a sample chunking homeschool schedule we used many years ago when all of my kids were little. It would adapt well for ANY kind of school at home.
• Use Checklists.  Kids thrive with checklists! Let them help create their own list.  They can draw one, list one, or even use an app.   We offer these homeschool planners, perfect for checking off assignments and staying organized! HINT: LET YOUR CHILD pick some things to go on the list. Don’t just make it all about mandatory school or chores.

Your family has a huge opportunity right now—don’t waste it!

If you only focus on the inconveniences and challenges, you may miss the blessings that God has for your family from this time together.

I’ve homeschooled for years, but that doesn’t mean our lives are free from change or disruption. When life doesn’t go as planned, you have two choices:

1. Complain and resist the change.
2. Choose joy and embrace the opportunity.

Your kids are watching you. They will remember how you handled this. They will learn resilience, faith, and creativity—or they will learn frustration and negativity.

You have an opportunity to grow as a family, strengthen relationships, and build habits that will last beyond this season. Every day is a gift—don’t waste it.

God has equipped you for such a time as this.

The temptation in times like these is to believe lies about who we are and what we can handle. I beg you not to do that. If nothing else, your kids are watching you. They are learning how to handle crisis and they will use what they’ve learned when they face their own crisis someday.

Don’t fool yourself, you can SAY anything you want to your kids. You can “hide” things from them and tell yourself they don’t know. But they know, and they see. They are smarter than you can imagine. When you think you’re covering your reactions, they will take them to heart. They won’t listen to your words but will instead mimic your actions.

That said, guess what you need to be doing right now? Trusting that God has equipped you to handle this, because that’s what He promised. Now, don’t get me wrong- He didn’t promise that you can do all things or that you are strong. He promised that HE can do all things and that HE is strong. What does that have to do with you? He promises to help you. (Isaiah 41:10 is my favorite of many references to this.)

Don’t brush off the feelings of your kids.

Changes in routine can be difficult for kids, even if they don’t always express it. This is especially true during a time of crisis when they are likely picking up on the heightened emotions of everyone around them, in addition to the changes in their routine.

Check-in with them often. Help them to see God’s truth in light of the chaos they feel. Of course, if you don’t understand that truth and are personally struggling to trust God with this, hop over and read this post about how to be #NotConsumed in times of Crisis.

Here are some questions you can ask:

• How are you feeling about the changes in your life right now?
• How can I pray for you?
• What specifically are you struggling with?
• What do you feel like you are missing?
• Do you feel like you are trusting God with this?

Resist the urge to preach and to impose your feelings on your kids. Let them think and feel for themselves, just direct them to the truth in love! One resource you might find incredibly helpful is our Bible study, A Content Heart.

It is part of our Heart Series, designed to teach your kids biblical principles showing how abiding in God’s truth will change their hearts and help them grow. Each bundle contains five age-appropriate Bible studies: Fruit of the Tongue, Keep Thy Heart, Do Right, A Content Heart, and Work Unto the Lord—plus some fun bonus items!

Always, always focus on the basics

It’s likely that during a season of crisis, you’ll become overwhelmed. Sometimes, just the simple act of making changes can cause a person to feel overwhelmed. Perhaps you have to work outside the home and somehow still educate your kids. Trust me when I say, you will NOT be getting all the things done.

So, if you find yourself feeling overwhelmed or like you can’t get all of the things done, cut back to the basics. Everything will be fine, even if you don’t get the extras done.

Wondering what the basics are? Here is our non-negotiable list even when all else is turned upside down:

Read something every day. This can be a read-aloud, a read-together, or a read by yourself. Whatever you do, read every day.

Once your child has read something, have them respond to it. They can draw about it, tell about it at dinner, act out the story for the family, or pretty much anything else! We also use the Reading Journal to record what we’ve learned. 

Yes, audiobooks totally work. Here is a list of our favorite audiobooks.

Know your numbers. Even when we aren’t able to do a full math curriculum, we still need to do math as often as possible, hopefully daily. Practicing basic math facts until they are mastered is crucial. We use this free website to do it in 5 minutes a day: Xtramath.org.

Use the computer. Kids today need computer skills as much as they need math and reading. Get a great filter and then let your kids explore. We love:

• Reading Eggs
• Xtramath
• Answers in Genesis
• Typing Instructor

Help for Crisis-Homeschoolers

This section is for you if…

• You’ve never homeschooled your children before.
• Your kids were previously enrolled in a traditional public or private school.
• You work inside or outside of the home.
• Your family is suddenly homeschooling due to illness, a natural disaster, a family emergency, or any other situation beyond your control.

All of these circumstances bring unique challenges, and homeschooling may not have been part of your plan. Know this—you are capable, and you are not alone. Let’s explore how you can navigate this season while keeping education simple, realistic, and manageable.

Know that you are capable

You may be asking yourself, Can I teach my kids? OF COURSE, YOU CAN. You’ve been doing it since they were born. If you can potty-train a kid, you can handle reading and math. I promise. Don’t let anyone tell you that you aren’t qualified because your qualifications are backed by THE King of Kings. Ya know, the very Creator of all of the things we could ever study. Again, He has promised never to leave you and always to help you.

You may feel overwhelmed, wondering if you have what it takes to educate your child at home. Maybe you’ve heard that homeschooling requires special training or credentials. The truth is, no one is more qualified to guide your child’s learning than you!

Teachers in traditional schools have many responsibilities beyond instruction—managing a classroom, keeping up with policies, and meeting the needs of many students at once. At home, you have the advantage of knowing your child’s unique strengths and needs. That personal connection is more valuable than any teaching degree.

You may not have planned for this, but you can do it. Your role is not to replicate a classroom setting but to create a supportive learning environment that works for your family.

Traditional school days are filled with transitions, disruptions, and administrative tasks. Learning at home does not require six hours of daily instruction. Most elementary students can complete meaningful learning in about two hours per day, while middle and high school students often need only three to four hours.

Education at home is often more efficient because it allows for individualized attention. If your child finishes their work quickly, don’t panic! Extra time for play, creativity, and exploration is beneficial and can foster lifelong learning.

Understand Your Requirements

If your child’s school has assigned work and you are crisis schooling with the local public school, do what you can, but don’t stress over completing everything perfectly. If assignments are optional, use them as needed, but don’t feel pressured. If expectations from the school are unrealistic for your situation, communicate with teachers and adjust as necessary.

If you are homeschooling independently due to a crisis, focus on the basics: reading, writing, and math. Add in other subjects as you’re able, but remember—learning happens in many ways, including hands-on experiences, conversations, and real-life problem-solving.

Focus on What Matters Most

Education is important, but academics are not the only measure of success. If your family is going through a difficult time, prioritize connection, stability, and emotional well-being.

Your children can learn valuable life skills during this season: cooking, cleaning, budgeting, and problem-solving. Strengthening family relationships, deepening faith, and developing responsibility are just as valuable as any textbook lesson.

If your child doesn’t complete every assignment or follow a rigid curriculum right now, they will still be okay. What matters most is that they feel safe, loved, and supported as they navigate this transition.

The Three R’s of Crisis Homeschooling:

• Relationships – Build connections with your children and provide reassurance.
• Responsibilities – Teach life skills and help children develop independence.
• Reading – Encourage a love for books, which can be a gateway to lifelong learning.

Embracing This Unexpected Season

If you’ve been forced into homeschooling, it may feel overwhelming, but this time can also be an opportunity. Consider how your family can use this season to grow closer, learn new skills, and embrace flexibility.

You don’t have to do this perfectly. Take it one day at a time, give yourself grace, and remember—you are not alone.

Encouragement for Established Homeschool Families

If your family had already homeschooled before this crisis, you may feel like you should keep school going as normal. After all, it’s already a part of your routine, right? This is not entirely true. While homeschooling itself may be part of your routine, navigating unexpected challenges—whether a family emergency, natural disaster, or other crisis—is not.

Much of the advice above applies to you as well. If you need reassurance that academics are not the ultimate priority in your family’s life, take a moment to reflect on that. Learning is about so much more than just checking off lessons.

Ideas to Make the Most of This Season:

• Teach your kids how to have personal devotional time.
• Start a family devotional time. Try this free family Bible study!
• Write letters to friends, family, and missionaries.
• Connect with loved ones when possible. If you are on the road or away from family for medical reasons, utilize FaceTime, Zoom, or Skype—virtual meetups can be a blessing!
• Work on heart issues with a kids’ Bible study.
• Take a spontaneous dance break and sing something fun!
• Focus on building good habits and increasing responsibility.

No matter what challenges you’re facing, remember that homeschooling is about so much more than academics. Embrace the unexpected, focus on what truly matters, and give yourself (and your children) plenty of grace.
Our Heavy Feelings Series helps kids and teens navigate emotions like fear, anger, grief, and bitterness through a biblical perspective. Each study in the series focuses on a specific emotion, teaching children how to process their feelings and surrender them to God. Designed for different age levels, these family Bible studies provide age-appropriate lessons while uniting the whole family around key truths, foundational Scriptures, and central themes. Together, they offer the tools needed to face life’s challenges with faith and understanding.