Mom, we are the unicorns in the homeschool world, or maybe not so much anymore. But it can feel like no one else knows what our homeschool day is like.
The key to a successful homeschool day is to plan in such a way that you can set your day on autopilot, and it doesn’t require too much intervention from you. Yes, it is possible.
I am a major advocate for creating routines. From morning routines to workout routines. You can create a routine that works for everyone.
When it comes to time management for moms who work from home, I know there are a lot of gurus giving advice. Time blocking, scheduling every minute of your day, time budget, and anything else you can come up with.
If one of these systems works for you, then keep at it. But if nothing is working for you and your frustration is threatening to spill over. Then take a deep breath and let’s plan a homeschool day that works for you…not the gurus.
This post is going to unlock the secret to planning your homeschool day.
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Consider the Season You are in
This is the most important thing to consider when you plan your homeschool day. Are you in a busy season? Did you just have a baby? Is your baby a high needs baby? Do you have a toddler running around? What does your work schedule look like?
If you are in a busy season or working from home with a newborn, then plan a lighter homeschool day. It is ok to pick the easy homeschool curriculum for a season. Your first grader doesn’t need to learn algebra right now.
My homeschool days have looked different each year. Yes, there are similarities, but each year brings distinct changes. I’ve made adjustments for newborns. Or kids getting jobs and needing to drive them to work. Adjustments had to be made for college schedules. Things are always going to change.
What season are you in?
Start Your Homeschool Day with a Morning Routine
I know you want to take on the world and conquer it, but that usually leads to feelings of overwhelm, and then feeling like a failure because you didn’t accomplish what you set out to do. Sound familiar to anyone other than me?
Start small and start with creating a morning routine. It is the easiest time of day to create a routine because you are doing the same things every morning.
Creating a routine will set your day on autopilot. Your kids will know what to do, and you get to keep your sanity.
Fit in Work and Schoolwork in Your Homeschool Day
Teach your kids to be independent learners. This helps to juggle schoolwork and work. It also gives them the tools they need to be successful in life. We can’t know everything, and we can’t teach them everything. But we can show them how to find the answer to their questions.
Teach them that they can learn anything from a book. This can happen even if you have a reluctant reader.
Use a homeschool all in one curriculum. There are several choices out there. We use Abeka. Everything is scheduled for you and the kids can easily pick it up and run with it.
Have office hours. Yes, it isn’t easy to work and homeschool, but it can be done. Put boundaries on yourself and clients. If you can’t hang a physical close sign on your office, then you need to hang a mental one.
The only way to work and homeschool well is to create boundaries, teach your kids to learn independently, and create routines around work and school.
They Want to Eat Again
We eat more as homeschoolers and work from home moms because we are home, and everything is available. Feeding them can feel like a momentous act. Once again, we create a routine around food.
In our house, we don’t snack all day. We do have set times to eat, so they don’t keep asking me if they can eat. It is easier to just say you can get lunch at noon every day.
I have a first litter and a second litter. The first litter gets the second litter lunch. They each have one kid they make lunch for. This empowers them to be independent in the kitchen and helps to manage the mealtimes.
Take a Break in Your Homeschool Day
Rest is fundamental for your mental self-care. Moms, we are very good at doing the next thing. It needs to get done. If we don’t do it, who will?
You need to take a break during the day. Build it into your schedule. Find the pocket of time in the margin of your day to rest. I’m not talking about hours or anything like that. Grab 15 minutes to sit quietly in your rocking chair and drink coffee. Or take a walk and listen to a book.
Whatever gives you a moment of rest and quiet, do that. Here’s the thing. When you give your brain a chance to slow down and take a break, you will come up with new ideas and creative solutions to problems.
Some of my best ideas come from taking a walk. Make sure you can write them down when they come to you.
Sample Homeschool Day
Here’s what a day looks like for working from home and homeschooling. For the kids and for me.
Morning
For mom
Wake up at 5am so I am up before the kids. This wake-up time is flexible. I may hit snooze.
Work on my blog. I have a to do list of what to get done in this time period.
Start on client work. I usually do this for an hour and a half.
Kids get up. Mom does her workout routine and gets ready for the day.
Mom gets breakfast.
Continues with client work.
For kids
Wake up at 8am.
Make beds
Eat breakfast
Brush teeth
Start schoolwork. Everyone starts independently from the first grader to the 12th grader. They all know what to do and are expected to self-start. The first grader gets some help from his big sister. The kids can do their schoolwork in whatever order they want. They have a list of what needs to get done each day. So expectations are very clear for schoolwork.
They do schoolwork until it is finished.
Afternoon
Kids get lunch
Mom grabs something
Continues working with clients
Littlest one goes down for nap time
Kids get electronic time (at the moment they get 2 hours)
They can watch YouTube on Wednesdays only
Play outside, read books, run errands
Wrap up client work around 3pm
Work on blog or creating journals https://geni.us/Jodiethemom
Mom takes a break
Depending on the day, kids or mom get dinner started
Evening
Eat dinner as a family
Start the bedtime routine
Read and relax until lights out
Conclusion: Finding Balance and Embracing Flexibility in Your Homeschool Day
Balancing work and homeschooling is a continuous learning process. And a flexible one. Just when you think you’ve found the perfect routine, something changes it. Seasons change. Plan your homeschool day around the season you are in.
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FAQs for Your Homeschool Day
Q: How do you manage interruptions from kids during work hours?
A: Setting clear boundaries and having a dedicated workspace helps manage interruptions. Homeschool and work in the same space, so you are available to your kids and they know when to interrupt. It is ok to tell your kids to wait until you finished a task.
Q: What tools do you use to plan your day?
A: Planners and to-do lists help me organize my day. However, I do not use planners with times listed on them.
Q: How do you handle days when things don’t go as planned?
A: Flexibility is key. Adapting the routine and prioritizing tasks helps manage unexpected changes. Life happens. Routines keep things flexible.
Q: What are some tips for staying productive while homeschooling and working from home?
A: Creating a routine, setting clear expectations for the kids, and using productivity tools are vital. Taking regular breaks and maintaining a healthy work-life balance also boosts productivity.
Q: How do you ensure your kids stay engaged in their learning activities?
A: Using curriculum that matches their learning styles. Introducing them to new ideas.
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