Be sure you know your child's learning style well so that you are teaching the weakest subjects using their strongest style of learning. If a certain subject is causing your home school to seem like prison, maybe your child is weak in this area. It might help to slow the pace in this subject temporarily or permanently, and see if that helps the learning process go more smoothly. Watch and adjust to your child in this subject.
If after slowing the pace, you still feel your child is struggling in the subject; maybe you should try a different book or program. Remember that not every text you purchase will work well for your family...and that it is perfectly okay. Sometimes a different book will approach the subject in a different way which is easier for your child to understand. Don't feel like you have failed if you have to change texts, just realize that you now know a little bit more about how your child learns.
If all of your subjects are going poorly, however, then you need to dig a little deeper. Are you allowing too many interruptions in the school day? If the phone rings during school, do you answer it? Is the TV on during school? Are you trying to get other things done while you are home schooling? It is extremely difficult to do other things while school is in session and have success. Sure, it is hard not to pick up the phone when it rings. But whoever is calling will either leave a message or call back if it's truly important.
If things aren't going as you planned, you should also critically evaluate whether or not you are fully prepared for the school day. Do you know what school work is being done this week? If your children are studying a subject in science, have you read a little about it? Now you don't have to be prepared for every question that comes from their lips. However, you should be prepared for most of the questions. If all you can do is read ahead a chapter in the book your child is reading, then that little bit will help.
When home schooling isn't working, hold family meetings to find out where the problems lie and how to fix them. The solutions to these problems are within the family not within a neighborhood school. Also, give yourself permission to free the children of a curriculum or program if it isn't working. A plan that has everyone stressed out, crying, and fighting is not a good plan at all.
Take a break! If home schooling isn't working, drop what you are doing and go to the park and play. Breathing in fresh air can lend itself to a fresh perspective on everyone's attitude.
Parents must fill up their pitchers before they can fill up their children's cups. Do something for yourself. Go to the library alone for a change. Try having dinner with your best friend, go see a play, or take a dance class just for you. If you're running on empty, you have nothing to give your family.
Making alliances with family, friends, and in the community, is a good idea for you and for home schooling, in general. Asking for help may seem difficult but it can provide the spark or idea you need to push through the challenge you're facing. In addition, helping others with some of your home schooling experience is a win-win situation because that parent will be more likely to pay back the favor when you have a need in the future.