Why Teaching Your Own Child Can Be Challenging—and When to Seek Support

I am not ashamed to say, that I have relied on support for my kids and am so grateful to those who helped build their skills, mentor, support and love them-thank you Cassie, Betsy, Anna, Allison, Taylor, Charlie, Chris, Rebekah.

Many parents step into the role of teacher or tutor with love, good intentions, and a deep desire to see their child succeed. But if you’ve ever found yourself frustrated, discouraged, or wondering why your child resists working with you, you are not alone. Teaching your own child can be surprisingly difficult—for reasons that have more to do with relationship dynamics than ability.

Why It Can Feel Hard

• Parent–child dynamics: Children often behave differently with parents than they do with teachers. Testing boundaries is natural at home.

• Emotional weight: As parents, we’re deeply invested in our children’s success. This can make it harder to stay patient during challenging lessons.

• Different “hats”: Switching between “mom/dad” and “teacher” can confuse children, and they may struggle to separate the roles.

• Resistance to correction: Kids may hear gentle feedback as criticism more strongly from a parent than from an outside tutor.

• Learning and Teaching Simulatenously: It can be challenging for a parent to learn new curricula, methodologies, strategies and at the same time, deliver those lessons to children.

Tips to Support Parents

• Keep lessons short and positive: End on a win, even if it’s small.

• Set a routine: Kids thrive on predictability—try short, regular sessions instead of long, sporadic ones.

• Celebrate effort, not just results: Praise persistence, creativity, and focus, not only correct answers.

• Build in breaks: Movement, snacks, or a quick farm walk can reset energy and mood.

• Use multisensory tools: Hands-on activities, visuals, and movement-based learning can keep engagement high.

When to Preserve the Relationship

If schoolwork consistently leads to tears, tension, or conflict, it may be time to pause. Preserving the parent–child bond is far more important than pushing through a stressful lesson. In these moments, seeking outside support is not a failure—it’s a gift to both you and your child.

Finding the Right Support

That’s where resources like My Learning Farm can help. We provide one-on-one support in reading, writing, spelling, and math using evidence-based, multisensory methods. We also create a safe, joyful environment through farm-based learning—so kids connect learning with positive experiences. Parents can step back into their most important role: loving, encouraging, and supporting their child without the stress of being the teacher too.

💛 At the end of the day, your relationship with your child is what matters most. Sometimes, the best way to help them grow is to let someone else guide the lesson, while you cheer them on from the sidelines.