How to Gain a Fresh Perspective on Your Child’s Math Success
Have you ever cleaned the windows in your house, only to realize how much clearer the world outside looks? As parents, we sometimes forget that our view can get clouded, too. When your child struggles with math, it can feel overwhelming. It’s like looking through a foggy window—you miss the progress and potential because frustration or confusion gets in the way.
Your child needs you to have the best and clearest perspective on their needs and development, so it’s critical to see them through the “clearest windows” possible to set them up for long-term math success.
Here are three areas where I often see parents getting stuck, which can cloud their view on progress and hinder their child’s homeschool math success.
1. Internal Optimism
Kids are incredibly perceptive—they can sense when we don’t fully believe in them. As much as we try to express optimism by saying things like, “Billy, don’t get down on yourself; you’ll improve, just keep working hard,” it’s important to check if you truly believe those words.
Take a moment and ask yourself: Do I genuinely believe my child can succeed in math? Are my words encouraging, or are they just masking my real doubts?
If deep down you’re not fully optimistic that your child will succeed, that doubt will fog up your view of the future. Instead of believing in solutions, you may start looking for reasons to validate your fears that math will always be a struggle for them.
To truly help your child succeed, reset your mindset. Believe that anything is possible and that there’s always a way—whether you see it yet or not—for them to excel in math. The clearer your belief in their ability, the clearer their path to math success will be.
2. Focus on Winning Smaller Victories
It’s easy to distort your perspective by focusing on too much at once. Middle and high school math covers hundreds of small skills throughout the year, and it can feel overwhelming when you look at the bigger picture all at once.
Try not to focus on the final grades—A’s, B’s, or C’s—and instead ask yourself: Did my child understand today’s lesson?
Shift your focus to these smaller, daily victories. By measuring your child’s progress in manageable chunks, your assessment will be more precise and real-time. This allows you to make quicker adjustments and help them stay on track. It also makes success feel more achievable for both you and your child, encouraging a mindset of steady improvement.
3. Stay Fully Engaged
Staying involved in your child’s daily math journey isn’t just about oversight—it’s about showing them you’re with them every step of the way. When you’re fully engaged and updated on what they’re learning (ideally every day), you’ll have a clearer view of their progress and be ready to support them when challenges arise.
I know it’s a lot of work to stay on top of everything, but the rewards are worth it. Your presence ensures that you know exactly where your child stands in their homeschool math success. It also sends a strong message to your child: You’re fully committed to their education, and they can count on you 100%.
Engage with their math lessons, celebrate the small wins, and ask them questions about what they learned today. This will not only keep you in the loop, but it will also boost your child’s confidence knowing that you’re cheering them on.
Final Thoughts
Homeschooling and being a parent can be challenging, but when it comes to your child’s education, nothing is more important than having a clear perspective. A clear view of their progress is the only way you can truly help them grow and achieve math success.
So take the time to reflect on your perspective and attitude, and make sure you’re measuring them correctly—trust me, everything looks better from a clearer vantage point.
