Organization is Key in Balancing Work and Homeschooling
As a homeschool mom of four children ages 20-10, I have found that working several jobs requires a great deal of organization and scheduling. I usually complete lesson plans for my two youngest children on Sunday afternoons. My 10th grader uses Bob Jones' DVDs, so I check her work each Sunday.In order to keep the house in order, the kids all are assigned daily household chores. Their chores are broken up into morning, afternoon and dinner chores. On Thursday afternoons each child is assigned to either thoroughly clean the kitchen or a bathroom. Chores are rotated monthly to keep the work load fair. Probably, the easiest way to illustrate how I balance work and homeschooling is to give you a glance at a typical schedule on a Monday, Wednesday or Thursday.
5:30-6:00- I wake up and throw a load of laundry in, fix breakfast/lunch for hubby and pick up the house a little
7:00-8:00- Wake kids up, kids eat breakfast and do household chores
8:00-11:30- School begins-I try to do math, reading and science with the 2 younger kids
11:30-1:00- Recess for the kids, We have lunch and I run errands, return phone calls or help my 10th grader with math. Kids complete afternoon chores.
1:00 -I start work (I work from home) and kids go back to their schoolwork
3:00- I take a break from work and check in on the kid's progress.
4:00- Kids are usually finished with schoolwork.
5:15- I take a break from work -fix dinner.
6:00-8:00- Kids do evening chores, practice instruments then have free time
9:30- I sign off from work!!
On Tuesdays and Fridays, my children and I attend a Co-op. I teach high school math classes while they take various music classes and have social time with their friends.
I have found that the solution to juggling work and homeschooling is to have a schedule, get the kids to help out and be organized!! Please keep in mind that my youngest child is 10 years old. I am not sure I would try this with kids who are younger.
Lauren
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Hi Lauren,
ReplyDeleteFellow homeschool mom here, and your newest follower. I have 2 graduates from our school, and one daughter still being educated at home with me. This journey has been an adventure, and I wouldn't trade it for the world! I still love every minute of every day helping my daughter develop and realize her own call in life - which is the advantage we have as homeschool parents.
I enjoyed reading your schedule and how you manage working and homeschooling. Thanks for participating in the BC this week. Hope you'll join us again soon!
ReplyDeleteYou schedule inspires me . Working and homeschooling are a delicate act to balance.
ReplyDeleteDiane - a fellow, Crewmate, former teacher and WAH - homeschooling-M