Homeschool Routine Inspiration!

Since the start of our homeschool journey 10 years ago, our routine has undergone countless changes. Sometimes, these changes occur multiple times within a month. And you know what? That’s perfectly fine! Just like the seasons of life come and go, the flow and structure of your homeschool days will also evolve with time. At the start, I would spend days and days searching for the “perfect” schedule that would align with our family’s rhythm. I would meticulously type it out, with beautiful fonts and graphics, and proudly display it on the fridge. However, more often than not, it would all fall apart within a few days. So, why do so many homeschoolers abandon strict schedules and opt for a routine-based system instead? It’s because in order for your homeschool to flourish, you need to embrace not only the benefits of schooling at home, but also the challenges that come with it. This was a tough lesson for me to learn! I desperately wanted everything to be perfectly organized. Breakfast at 7:30. Devotions at 8:00. School starts at 8:30. Snack at 10:00… and so on. However, when you’re at home most of the time with a regular family life and kids of different ages and challenges, you need to be flexible. Life happens! Sickness, work challenges, babies, groceries, playdates, field trips, family dynamics, grumpy kids, hyper kids, household chores, meal planning, beautiful weather after being cooped up for too long, winter storms that keep you indoors for days on end… you get the point. Once I accepted and worked around these realities, our homeschool days started falling into place more smoothly. We have had countless different routines that have worked well for us in different seasons. Listing them all here would take too long, but I will share a few ideas and suggestions that have worked for us, in the hopes that they inspire you to revamp your routine!

– Math and reading are never neglected. Regardless of the season, we prioritize these subjects every single day. For us, we always tackle them first thing in the morning. Even if everything else falls apart, at least we’ve covered our math lessons, practiced reading, and spent a few moments reading together.

– Circle time in the morning has been a game-changer for us, especially with multiple kids learning at different levels. You’ve probably heard of this term if you’ve spent any time on blogs or reading homeschool books. Many families incorporate circle time into their routine, although it may look different for each family. In our house, our morning time involves scripture, sometimes a memory verse, some reviewing of math facts, and discussing our goals. We then dive into several read-alouds based on our current areas of study. It’s super simple, yet a great way to cover a lot of ground with multiple students in a short amount of time. Talk about a win-win!

– Quiet time is an absolute must! What is quiet time, you ask? Basically, it’s the time right after lunch when the whole family spends some alone time in their rooms or designated areas to read, listen to audiobooks, color, or rest. Once our kids outgrow their afternoon naps, they are instantly trained to continue spending this time in their rooms or in a quiet space. Some days, it’s the only thing that keeps my sanity intact.

– Rise before the kids! This is crucial, not only for training yourself but also for training your kids. I firmly believe that the best hours of the day are in the morning. Our minds are fresh, and we’re excited about new opportunities. Taking the time in the morning to freshen up, do your devotions, write your lists, and enjoy a quiet cup of tea or coffee goes a long way in calming your mind and keeping your days running smoothly. We’re all too familiar with that inner voice that easily creeps in, reminding us of our shortcomings, the areas where we’re failing, and our never-ending to-do lists. If we let it, it can consume us all day, stealing our time and joy. But by rising early in the morning, giving my day and concerns over to God, and organizing my thoughts and plans in a journal or notebook, I can gain a sense of control over my routine.   Homeschooling our kids offers so many benefits, and we should definitely enjoy the cozy atmosphere that our homes allow. However, it’s important to remember that you can still maintain coziness without sacrificing efficiency and healthy time-management. We are the gatekeepers of our home and how we treat our time is very important. If we expect our kids to give us their best, we must reciprocate by giving them the best version of ourselves. For me, that simple means getting up early and ensuring that things are well planned up before the rest of the house starts buzzing!

– Keep lunches super simple! You can ask the kids for suggestions if you think it will help, but the key is to gather a list of simple lunch options that require minimal dishes and rotate through them. I usually make a large pot of soup at the beginning of the week and we enjoy it 2-3 times with veggies or bread. The rest of the time we pretty much rotate between scrambled eggs, wraps, oatmeal, or pancakes.

– Implement a chore plan that actually works. In our home, each child is responsible for their bedrooms, there laundry, and 1 or 2 age-specific areas of the house (bathrooms, stairs, craft desk, basement, etc.). They are also expected to be willing helpers as needed throughout the day. We do a quick tidy after lunch before quiet time, and again after dinner. On Fridays, we tackle the entire house, which doesn’t take too long if we’ve kept up with it during the week.