Get my new book! https://amzn.to/31nKs2AIt’s one thing to start the school year strong, but quite another to keep at it after the weeks start blurring together. Motivation to homeschool ebbs away, and we can’t wait for some natural, overwhelming incoming tide to return.Instead of being tossed about on the waves of our emotions and hormones (which turn into tropical storms when they crash into the emotions and hormones of our children), we need to treat motivation like a garden and cultivate it. A garden has variety; it’s not made up of one thing. It’s the same with motivation. There are a number of things we can plant in our motivation garden that will keep it blooming and growing.We need homeschool motivation because it’s our responsibility as the parent-teacher to educate our children. It’s not optional and we set the tone for the day and the standard for the behavior. If we can’t muster up the motivation to start the homeschool day, how can we expect our children to have the motivation to do their work? We must model ourselves what we expect from them.Much of the time, what we call a lack of motivation is simply inertia. It’s hard to get started. It’s hard to get up and get moving. It’s hard to focus our attention and summon the energy.Overcome inertia by making it easy to get started with an energetic, upbeat attitude.These ten practices will increase your motivation for average homeschool days.Have a morning routine.Start with a song.Use a checklist.Keep several favorite quotes in view.Smile at your kids.Listen to encouraging podcasts.Get everything ready to go the night before.Share learning with your kids.Ask what they learned or read at dinner.Live life alongside your kids.Share your favorite homeschool quote, podcast, or tip in the comments!