Have you ever met a busy homeschool mom?
Funny question, right? We’re all busy! We’re juggling homeschooling, volunteering, parenting, hobbies, side gigs or full-time jobs, laundry, cleaning, and meal prep. Whew.
We know that the homemaking stuff can’t be ignored. It has to get done.
We also know that the homeschooling stuff can’t be ignored. It has to get done.
Here are five tips for your sanity!
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#1: What has to get done? Ignore the Rest.
Do you have to dust once a week? Do you really need to fold the toddler’s clothes? Must your family eat from-scratch bread every weekend?
Decide what MUST get done and ignore the rest. I know, this sounds neglectful, but it’s necessary for some sanity while you homeschool.
And remember, it’s only for a season. Have realistic expectations while you’re homeschooling with babies and toddlers. The kids will grow up, and you can add more to your plate when you’re able.
#2: Automate
Setting up routines for housework is crucial. Involving the kids is golden.
I advocate setting up a kids’ chore system and requiring anyone over 4-5 years old to do their own laundry! They really can help out quite a bit and learn valuable life skills along the way.
Once you have a chore system running along, you won’t have to think about emptying the dishwasher or vacuuming the floor on a regular basis, because the kids will learn the routine and it will get done – and not by you!
You can also automate with things like meal prep. As soon as you’re unloading groceries, and you have that 3 pound pack of ground beef, throw it in a pot with onion and garlic and brown it all, so it’s ready for meals this week. You’re saving yourself the extra step of putting the raw meet in the refrigerator, getting it out later in the week and cooking it up one portion at a time.
#3: Utilize online tools
As much as possible, I try to do my grocery shopping online. This way, I’m not spending multiple hours a week walking through the store and standing in a backed up checkout line.
You can also keep your sanity by organizing tasks for you and kids on Trello. I include my kids’ chores (along with homeschool assignments) on this FREE online list-making tool.
There are dozens of amazing tools for you in The Ultimate Homemaking Bundle this year! And there are 11 categories! Shown here are just the Home Management products.
Here’s a few you might want to check out:
- Clutter-Free(dom): Ditch Clutter & Create Systems to Keep It from Coming Back (eBook)
- Home Management for the Homeschool Mom (audiobook)
- Meal Plan Makeover: Transform Your Meal Plans to Save You Time and Money (video)
- The Humbled Homemaker’s Meal Planning Printables Bundle (includes 2-week ALDI meal plan along with gluten free recipes)
- Multiple planners and organizational kits!
#4: Homeschool in your peak hours
Don’t spin your wheels trying to do five other things while homeschooling. Get a block schedule in place with homeschooling taking up your peak hours. Then you can have the freedom to do deep work in the other blocks!
The peak hours for homeschooling might be early morning when your house is full of littles. They wake up early and are ready to go, so it makes sense to go with your household flow and get school done early!
But, if you have lots of teenagers, then they might wake up late and homeschooling just doesn’t make sense at 8am. Peak hours for you might be 10-2, with 2pm and on being reserved for their independent work.
But the key is – wherever you are, be all there (Jim Elliot). When it’s time to focus on homeschooling your kids, focus. Then you can do other things (without guilt!) when it’s time.
#5: Block Schedule the rest of your responsibilities
We truly do have more time than we think. Go ahead and map out a block schedule of your week and be amazed at what you can fit in!
Check out my post on HomeschoolGiveaways.com for an explanation of block scheduling and a printable Block Schedule Weekly Planner.
