If you experience Imposter Syndrome and you’ve had to add homeschooling to your roles and responsibilities, then it’s highly likely that your Inner Imposter is reacting to this and has got something to say about your ability to do it (and I bet it’s not saying nice things!)
Now the reason why your Inner Imposter is chirping up is that it has a distorted view of what competence is. It doesn’t expect you to do something well (which is the definition of competence) but it expects you to be exceptional and that’s can be difficult and challenging to reach.
So let’s look at each Imposter type, how it might be reacting and I will share a reality check and some tips to help you quieten that voice in your head that is telling you that you’re not good enough. If you don’t know your Imposter Type then click here to find out your type(s).
The SuperWoman/Person
This is you if you expect that you should to be able to juggle all parts of your life successfully, so here you’re adding something else to your already busy list and another hat to wear and you’re judging yourself on your ability to juggle it all and do it well and if you don’t then you can feel guilty for not being able to do it all.
Reality Check - Homeschooling is not just being a teacher. It’s being the teaching assistant, the catering team, the tech support, plus trying to do everything else. Right now that’s not possible. It’s impossible at the best of times but especially right now.
The Perfectionist
This is you if you expect that everything you do should be perfect, 10/10 and anything short of this is not good enough and a reflection on your abilities.
Reality Check - everything right now cannot be 10/10. Focus on the things that are the most important and ignore the rest, even if it’s things that normally wind you up like having a clean house. Sometimes 7 out of 10 is good enough.
The Expert
This is you if you’re comparing yourself to someone who has trained to be a teacher and who is really passionate about it too and you’re thinking you don’t know what you’re doing.
Reality Check - guess what? You don’t know what you’re doing. You’re not the expert in this field. It’s not your job, it’s not your job or your chosen profession, so you have to realise you’re not qualified for this job.
The Natural Genius
This is you if you think that you should be better at picking up how to teach more easily and if you’re struggling to do that or indeed wonder why you don’t understand how to understand certain subjects that you’re covering.
Reality Check - you did not train for this job so there is no way that you will take naturally to homeschooling especially if the subjects that you’re covering is something that you’re learning about at the same time as your children. Also teaching has new methods now that you’re not familiar with so it’s normal that you don’t find it easy to pick up how to teach it.
The Rugged Individual
This is you if you think you should be able to do it all yourself and asking for help is a weakness and if you can’t do it all or you need to ask for you then you’re failing.
Reality Check - teachers whilst they do a wonderful job are surrounded by people who help them in their job. From teaching assistants to the catering team to the IT tech support, the headteacher - they are not doing it all on their own and we don’t see them as weak do we.
So if you’re nodding yes to any of the above then please take note of the reality check and here are 3 tips to help you manage that Imposter when it has anything negative to say about your ability to homeschool
You don’t need to believe everything that you think - in fact question what you think. Call out your Inner Imposter and question what it’s saying. Ask yourself is this true? Most of the time it’s not.
Look for the small wins every day. Notice what went well and focus on that.
Be kind to yourself. Recognise the challenge that you’re currently facing and know that you will not be on your own. Lots of parents will be experiencing the same as you.