I read a post by another unschooling parent this week and realised just how often this concern comes up in home education. I want to talk about it too so I’ve copied the title as it fits just right.

Every home educating parent wonders if they are doing enough at least a few times during their journey. As a parent alone I think we ask this question of ourselves frequently! And so what do we do then?

If I feel like I’m falling short somewhere or like we are not “doing enough” I look at what we are doing first. Then I try to fill the gaps. If my children are seeking me out more often than not, seemingly unable to find something to do or bickering with each other more than usual then there are things I can do. Even if money is not in abundance.

I can give good hugs. I can talk with them and listen or invite them to share my interests for a while. I can read aloud to them from their favourite books or find new ones I think might spark some ideas.

I can put them in water! Or take them out more. Just out. No pennies. We can see what we find by walking somewhere whether it be our smile, peace of mind, an adventure or some cool nature discoveries. Maybe we find other people to talk to or play with.

We can stay home if we’ve been out too much. Maybe that’s “doing enough.” Maybe enough is just being happy with being. Maybe it’s watching tv, drawing listening to music cooking or learning how to play a new board game.

We can visit other people. Other people are fascinating and have things to tell us about. They have different interests than we do and new things to show us.

If we think we’re not “doing enough” and money is no object then we can go to town! Trips, theatre, craft supplies, holidays, books, toys and on and on.

But we can still do enough without all that. It’s easy really to worry if what we’re doing is indeed enough, however it’s even easier to just DO MORE anything when that feeling sneaks in.

© 2025 Juliette Proffitt
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THE ABOVE WAS WRITTEN BY AND REMAINS THE PROPERTY OF THE AUTHOR. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THE AUTHOR GRANTS PERMISSION TO SHARE UNALTERED POSTS ONLY WHEN EXPLICITLY CREDITING THEM. NO OTHER REPRODUCTIONS ARE GRANTED WITHOUT PRIOR PERMISSION