Handling F.O.M.O About Public School
- rstinson10
- Jan 23
- 4 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
F.O.M.O (Fear Of Missing Out) is the feeling of being left out, or sadness about missing something you are not doing.
Some of you might have felt FOMO when the Instant Pot became popular. Everyone seemed to be buying them. People were posting online about their new Christmas gift and discussing all the great hacks and recipes to make with them. In reality, it is just another kitchen gadget. How many of those Instant Pot owners use them regularly?
There is some FOMO in the homeschool world as well. Public and private schooling is a big part of our community and even our culture. Regardless of whether you have pulled your child out of school or homeschooled from the beginning, your children might feel sad that they do not go to school. They might miss things like seeing their friends, riding the school bus or other aspects of their school day. As parents, you might have good memories in school. You might like some parts of your local school that you feel sad about your child missing.
Here are some ways to handle any feelings of F.O.M.O. about not being in school.
Your family might miss seeing friends at school
Immerse yourself in the homeschool community. Make new friends. There are many social activities in the homeschool world including micro-schools, co-ops, homeschool meetups, etc. Homeschooling is a unique endeavor and it is important to meetup with people who share this experience.
Parents need time with friends in real life too. Schedule a mom's night with a friend to catch up!
Keep in touch with your public school friends. If your child has friends who are still in school, contact their parent and arrange a playdate to get your kids together on the next school day off.
Your family might miss public school activities.
Valentine's Day exchange: You can arrange a valentine party and exchange cards with friends. Or post an event on a homeschool social media page and host one for the our community and make new friends.
The School bus: The bus is highly overrated, with bullies, violent incidents, and safety being an ongoing problem. If you really want to have the experience, you could rent a school bus. Get a few families together for a school bus field trip to the zoo or some other activity.
Host your own valentines day party!
Make your homeschool amazing!
Homeschooling is a different world and it might take an adjustment period to get the hang of it. It is not remote learning or public school at home. It can be easier than people think because it is composed of normal, everyday activities you would be doing anyway. Here are 10 ways you might be "accidentally" homeschooling.
Make your home your sanctuary. You are home a lot more than your public school peers. Have toys and activities to do when you are home. Buy some good books for your home library. Buy the fancy coffee maker!
Bake cookies, do a science project, go around your yard and identify the plants. Grow butterflies!
Your child still might need a lunch box and backpack for activities. My kids really liked picking them out.
Avoid "cabin fever" and Plan activities! Take your kids to lunch at a restaurant, meetup with friends, schedule field trips and extracurriculars.
Focus on the great things about homeschooling
If your kids are missing school, tell them that if they were in school they would not be able to walk around barefoot. They would not be able to play with their favorite toy or eat their favorite snacks. As homeschoolers they get to wear costumes all day and ride their bikes in the yard. They get to play with their siblings and hang out with mom. If they were in public school, they would not be able to do those things.
Graduation Ceremonies
Graduations happen in the homeschool world too. If you have a teen, you might consider searching for a group that hosts them.
Proms and Teen dances
Homeschool groups host teen dances. They might even be better since they are hosted by the homeschool community.
Your family might miss school sports
Football and other high school sport teams: Is it worth it? When you were researching the pros and cons of homeschooling vs. public school, if football is one of the few things keeping you in school, would it be worth doing if it meant having to go to school and deal with all the negative aspects there?
Many sports are available privately or within a town league. Dance classes, baseball, figure skating, ice- hockey, marshal arts etc. You might consider researching what is available for your family near you.
School sports are over rated. Your child may not make the team or they might get a terrible coach. Your family may have to deal with challenging hours, policies or commitments.
Set up a pick up game! Get some friends together and play volleyball or foot ball in your yard or at the park.
Your family might miss music lessons
There is no marching band or music concert in the homeschool world, at least not near me. If you are missing those things consider this. When you were researching the pros and cons of homeschool vs. public school, and if your child participating in the school band is one of the few things keeping you in school, would it be worth it?Would it be worth doing if it meant having to attend school and deal with all the negative aspects there?
Private music lessons are available. Your child might have a better experience doing it since they are often private classes, you can chose your teacher and you are not dealing with bullies.
Incorporate books in your homeschool that show homeschooling in a positive light. For example, historical fiction and this book pictured below. "This is my home, this is my school" is a picture book that is well known in our community. It is written for younger children, but I truly believe anyone can benefit from it.
Parents, schedule in self care
Budget in self care. Getting a haircut, working out, going to the dentist and having date nights with your spouse are all important. A nanny is a good part time child care solution. Here is why.
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