Our {Crazy Fun} Typical Homeschool Day

Typical Homeschool Day Mom of Many

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We have 5 kids ages 7 and under. Many days, however, we also have other kids in tow, including the 3 daycare kids we watch three days a week and sometimes a friend or neighbor’s child. We love kids! 

Today I am inviting you to be a fly on the wall and check out our typical homeschool day. Y’all, I’m about to make you feel better about your homeschool! You’ll either be relieved it’s smoother than ours, or thankful that you’re not alone. I’ll even let you in on a little of the crazy that lives in my head. 🙂 

Let the Races Begin

7 AM – I’m awake!

Just kidding. The alarm goes off and I hit snooze faster than you can say “self-discipline.” During those few minutes I read some scripture on my iPhone. Then I nurse the baby and stumble into the kitchen to make coffee and prepare mentally for the chaos. Assuming the chaos hasn’t already started.

When I’m in the groove and waking up earlier, I spend more morning time in the Word. Yet there are some seasons where I just take what I can get. 

I’m praying desperate prayers today, because I’m extra tired after a long night and just. need. sleep.

Typical Homeschool Day Mom of Many
Eeyore understands me. He brings me my coffee.

 

7:45 – The circus arrives

The kids come downstairs at when the light turns green on their alarm clock. Right about then, the daycare kids show up (if it’s a daycare day). The daycare kids sit and read while mine eat breakfast.

As they eat, I usually read a devotion or our lesson from Bible Road Trip. Except today, there’s a an epic potty accident that trumps devotion time. While I tend the mess, the kids at the table practice burping. We’re classy like that.

Before leaving the table, we recite our memory verse, sing a hymn that we are learning, and recite the family rules. Then the kids all watch a video for a half hour (yes, I’m that mom) and I eat breakfast and check my email, Facebook, etc. Ideally, I also take a few minutes to make sure I know the meal plan, homeschool plan, and any special events for the day.

I consider crawling back into bed and letting the kids fend for themselves. I amuse myself for 5 minutes thinking about what that might look like, but end up throwing in a load of laundry and drinking more coffee.

Typical Homeschool Day Mom of Many
Our homeschool area is the dining room. The kids each have a basket with their school books and supplies, and I use the magazine files to organize my work.

 

Typical Homeschool Day Mom of Many - School time!
The homeschool board has my basic homeschool checklist, the scripture passage we’re memorizing, the hymn/poem we’re working on, a visual of our weekly schedule, our family rules, and the latest completed Bible Road Trip notebooking pages.

9:00 – “School time” starts

My kids grab their work from their respective baskets and get started. We hit reading, writing, and math right away. Other subjects are on a block schedule. I dictate spelling words with a German accent (why not?) while folding laundry and trying to keep the toddlers from hurting each other. I almost succeed.

When everyone has finished their work, they run to the backyard to play. I clean up from the morning and start preparing the food for the day. Crock pot chicken tonight! The baby wakes up right about then and I spend a while feeding and playing with him.

This littlest one is 4 months old today! Where in the world is time going? Childhoods are slipping through my fingers and I’m holding on to the memories with my prayers. I make a mental note to journal about the kids more. But mostly I hold my breath and soak in the cuteness. 

Typical Homeschool Day Mom of Many

Typical Homeschool Day Mom of Many

10:30 – Snack time

Snack time is a happy time and includes our chapter book read aloud! Right now we’re working through Boxcar Children. We easily get in an entire 15 minutes before someone starts crying about some food-related tragedy.

I look around at my messy kitchen and wonder if you, dear reader, would want to see it. Maybe you need to know that someone else is messier than you (this was out half the day and the dishes were piled up). Perhaps you need reassurance that the domestically challenged among us can still homeschool and (eventually) keep the house in order, but it doesn’t have to be Pinterest perfect.  

Typical Homeschool Day Mom of Many

11:00 – It’s art/piano day!

Another homeschool family comes over every Thursday. She teaches all the kids piano, I teach all the kids art. I put the baby down for a nap and bustle about getting things ready for making ink prints with the kids. As usual, I can’t find a key piece of equipment and am getting more and more agitated. I internally rant about my inability to keep things organized. I want to cry.

The kids are scrambling about like a herd of angry monkeys. (Do monkeys have herds?) I half expect them to start throwing poo. Frustrated, I give up completely and send them back outside. The other family texts me and says they’re sick anyway. Well… that went well.

I think about how I need to tackle the bedroom in my next cleaning and organizing challenge. That’s where we store all the extra homeschool supplies, which is no doubt where the box of art print stuff is. I sometimes wish I could be more organized and with it. I’m a work in progress though!

Heading Into the Afternoon

12:00 PM – Lunch time

The kids all wash their hands and sit in their assigned seats. The lunch person passes out the food and prays. I catch up on things by reading them their missed morning devotion and we recite our memory verse again.

The toddler spills his entire bowl of chili on the floor. Again, I want to cry, but instead I pretend to be a silly puppy cleaning up the chili. Hey, do whatcha gotta do to keep from losing your cool, right?

I know this is when the crazy really comes out to play at our house. I take a moment to breathe, pray, and turn on the diffuser with something calm. This time lavender and orange. The scent is lovely, but honestly the big bonus is the rotating colors on the diffuser that distract the kids long enough for me to take a breath and go through my prayer cards

Typical Homeschool Day Mom of Many

12:45 PM – Quiet time

Quiet time starts with a (not-so-quiet) bang as everyone does their household responsibilities. I clean the kitchen while one child cleans the bathroom, one wipes the table and chairs, one sweeps the floor, and the rest do a “clean up blitz” and put all the toys and books away. The youngers then get tucked in for a nap and the olders settle on the couch for a half hour of the latest audiobook.

I’m feeliing so weary today. Too tired and too thin in the spirit. Why is it I want to cry so much? That’s not like me. Lord, help me find rest and refreshment in You so that I might have something good to give my family.  

I realize I haven’t eaten lunch and quickly rustle something up and sit down at the kitchen table. I read some of the day’s Bible reading plan and then check email and Facebook again. Too soon, the baby is up and crying. My half hour is over! (I have more time to myself on non-daycare days).

2:30 – Relaxed learning time

Everybody is now up and snack is on the table. Afterward, the kids play and I set out some activities for relaxed learning opportunities. Today it’s games and pattern blocks. I try to make it different from day to day. The kids wander from the table to the trampoline to outside. It’s chaos, basically, but at least nobody’s crying. 

I need to catch up on my Bible reading plan. I set my phone on loud playing the audio Bible and stick it in my back pocket while I work on tidying up in the kitchen. The toddler starts following me around laughing at my butt reading the Bible.

The kids are playing “Steal the Cheese.” I know this because they all have walkie talkies and I occasionally hear one whisper into them loudly “we MUST steal the cheese!” I overhear a group of them planning and talking about “distracting mom from the cheese.” Soon one child comes up and starts asking me what my favorite color is while three others run in, low to the ground and practicing their ninja stealth.

I have no idea what “the cheese” is.

Typical Homeschool Day Mom of Many

4:00 – Winding down for the evening

The daycare kids go home for the day. My kids have been overstimulated and start to get cranky with each other and I start to twitch. Finally, I pull out the megaphone (that’s right… I use one like this every day) and calmly ask the children to do quiet time either in their rooms or reading on separate chairs and couches.

I sit down to read a chapter out of my current book (Educating the Wholehearted Child) but instead need to tend to the baby. It’s all good.

5:30 PM – Dinner time!

Crock pots are amazing tools, aren’t they? Especially if you TURN THEM ON. Sigh.

So we make pizza and I let the kids help, trying to ignore the messy… everything. I put on some fun kids’ music and we have a spontaneous dance party! Then there’s that awkward moment when I’m rocking out and realize the kids have all stopped and are staring at me. LOL!

Dinner is served. The kids ask me to read to them but I’m too worn out. Instead we chat about plans for the rest of the week. After dinner we play and read. I decide to take video interviews of my kids and what they think about homeschooling for my (and your) amusement. 

This video SO does not make me look like a homeschool rockstar. LOL! The toddler interview at the end is my favorite. 😉

7:00 PM – Bed time

The kids are in bed by 7:30 except for the oldest who plays in his room until 8. The struggle is to do the bedtime process without irritation on my part. I try to make it fun but on-task. We rotate around the small upstairs spaces getting all the necessary things done.

I sing each of them their special song and pray for them. They pray for each other and sometimes they even pray for me. I say “see you in the morgenstern!” and close the doors.

As I walk down the stairs I think about I want to say “hurry” less often. I want to be a more gentle, joyful mom. I want our kids to remember the good things about today and not the places where I fell short. At the end of the day, I take comfort in knowing that God will finish the work He has begun in me, and that my kids know that I love them and Jesus loves them. 

I just can’t face the dirty dishes tonight. I am bone tired. So I leave them there to marinate for a few hours and relax on the couch. Soon my husband will be home. I can’t wait!

Our homeschool days aren’t perfect, but they’re a beautiful mess and they’re ours. We are a work in progress and are so blessed to be with each other every day! 

 

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This Post Has 43 Comments

  1. Tracy

    Your day sounds much like mine with more little people! Hugs a prayers for us all. God’s got this, we know, but sometimes it’s still very frazzling.

    1. Tauna

      Hugs for us all indeed! 😀

  2. Jen Stinson

    I love following your blog and all the fun ideas you share….but this….it’s like God had you write it for my heart!
    A homeschooling mom of three(oldest is 6.5) and daycare provider. I’m in a season of overwhelmed and feeling like nothing is going well. Thank you for the reminder that I’m not alone. That God will fill me up and fill in with my kids what they need.
    Now I’m off to handle a 3 year old who is crying because I won’t let him have candy for breakfast….

    1. Tauna

      You are so not alone and I’m incredibly glad I could encourage you today! I completely understand how you feel. Praying for us both today. 😀

  3. Rachael

    Loved, loved, LOVED this post! I am a single gal, but my dream is to have a family to homeschool someday–and this post hasn’t dissuaded me from that! I love your sense of humor and your heartfelt honesty. Your kids may or may not remember the particulars of each day, but I think they will remember your overall efforts at making it fun and interesting. And I think it’s absolutely great that you are teaching them true priorities and what really matters about life. Keep up the good work, mom! I think your family is blessed, and someday, I hope you see the results of Proverbs 31:28-31.

    Have a nice day. 🙂

    1. Tauna

      Thank you so much Rachael! What a wonderful encouragement this is to me this morning. 🙂

  4. Lisa R

    What a beautiful glimpse into your homeschool day! I love your ‘thoughts’ – it shows your hearts desire and sounds like your right on track!!!

    1. Tauna

      Thank you Lisa! 🙂

  5. Bethany

    Thank you for being so real and genuine!

    1. Tauna

      Thank you Bethany! 🙂

  6. Lisa

    Thank you so much for this post! Not only did I find a few helpful tips, much needed encouragement, and I felt I could relate to your way of running things, but I also found a few tears as your transparency and honesty really touched my heart. (I love the rock out session and butt-reading Bible!) I truly needed to see your focus at making life better and being a better mom, rather than getting caught up in your known failures……sometimes those failures are all we can see past our noses. Thank you for the reminder!

    1. Tauna

      I’m SO glad someone could be encouraged by the mess Lisa! 😀 Thank you so much for your kind words. They mean a great deal.

    1. Tauna

      Thanks Erin! 🙂

  7. Meredith

    You made me feel so much better about our craziness! I have 5 children of my own ages 16 down to 2 and I watch my 6 month old nephew 3 days a week. I am homeschooling 3 of my kiddos and entertaining 2 toddlers and a baby. Its messy and I dont get much done most days. We have accidents and arguments….I often remind myself that God will give me grace in every area I am lacking. Thank you for your honesty and for making me feel normal for the first time in a long time. I am so glad I found your blog.

    1. Tauna

      I’m so glad Meredith! It does get SO crazy! But it’s worth it and has its rewards as well, right? 🙂 Nice to “meet” you.

  8. Jennifer Altman

    looks like you are doing a great job! Love the photos, especially of that littlest one! Time does go so fast, my baby is almost 18mos! Yikes…I miss those days!

    1. Tauna

      Thanks Jennifer! It does go by fast.

  9. Bethany

    I must admit, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. Sounds so much like a day around here! 🙂 I’m 33 weeks pregnant with #6, so I’ve been spending a fair amount of time on my couch. We (usually) get our stuff done we need to get done…..usually…….then there are days when I figure as long as they have food and clean undies, we are doing good. 🙂 Keep up the good work mama, and don’t grow weary in well doing.

    1. Tauna

      I’m so glad Bethany! Oh yes, being pregnant adds a whole other dimension to the chaos. LOL! Thanks for the encouragement!

    1. Tauna

      Thanks Michele! 🙂

  10. Machelle

    Thank you so much for your posting this! I have 4 kids (8, 4, 3, 8 months) There are days I feel overwhelmed and want to cry as well! Dishes and laundry don’t always get done here either and I just want to sit and do nothing for a little while.
    This was a great reminder to me to remember to rely on God, pray more than I do and have some fun and remember the good times with the kids instead of getting caught up in what hasn’t gotten done or what has gone wrong.

    1. Tauna

      Thank you Machelle for the encouraging comment! Sounds like you know exactly what our day is like. 🙂 God bless you and your family!

  11. Jennifer S.

    I cannot tell you how much I love your megaphone. There are days I need to yell to be heard above the chaos, and I hate it. I could whisper into a megaphone and still get their attention. I am going to seriously consider doing this.

    1. Tauna

      You should! It might seem ridiculous at first but it works! 😀

  12. Manon

    Hi Tauna! I loved your article, sooo funny and so encouraging! I have days when I just want to give up, I feel so tired and not up for the task but in the end I thank God for everything, including you and your articles. May God bless you and continue the good works in you! Lots of kisses and hugs coming your way!
    You rock girl!

    1. Tauna

      Thank you so much, friend! God bless you as well. 🙂

  13. Morgan

    Just a quick note to say I SOOO love this post 🙂 Thanks for sharing!

    1. Tauna

      Thank you so much Morgan!

  14. Dee

    Tauna! This so blessed me. Thanks for sharing your day and your journey with us. I’m not alone!!! Cheers, Dee

  15. Cristy

    Thank you for your encouragement! I was laughing so hard I was crying – partly because I think I’m exhausted, too. My 6 kiddos are fabulous, including my 10 month old. I, too, am “domestically-challenged” and feel like life is chaotic at times. Thank you for sharing your true picture of daily living. May the Lord bless you in your efforts to please Him!

    1. Tauna

      Thank you Cristy! 😀 Glad to know I’m not the only one who laughs till I cry when I’m tired! Lol!

  16. Maritza

    I love the part about your toddler following you around laughing at your butt reading the bible!!! LOL, hahaha!! It is a beautiful mess, you made me laugh and I feel better about my own beautiful mess. God bless us all ladies!!! Together in the trenches even when distance is between us!

    1. Tauna

      Thanks Maritza! 😀

  17. Laura Meyer

    Your posts are what I would to have loved to see when I had littles! But that was the era of SUPERMOMS. I quit my career after 10 years to become a full time mom when I finally got pregnant. I worked up to 2 days before delivery. Everyone was astounded that I quit to be a full time mom,,,,I mean , what woul I do all day , wouldn’t I be bored & bets were on I woul be back soon.. I never looked back! Unfortunately I was one of a very limited number which left me out there with little or no support.
    No internet then, no car , no extended family, much smaller income and no neighbors at home at all! They all had jobs outside of home.. My husband had seasonal work remodeling
    & subcontracting. He graduated from University to be a teacher, but at that time there were no jobs for teachers…they were then tearing down schools& laying off teachers. Many seasons have come and gone and I am so blessed to be able to see what a great support system there is now and that my grandchildren are getting extra blessed by you❣ Miuch love
    MIL

    1. Tauna

      Love you, MIL. 🙂

  18. Gwen

    So glad I read this post. I’ve been homeschooling for 18 years (6 children, eldest 23, married and about to be a mum herself down to 8 years) and am also domestically challenged. Your kitchen looked just like mine often does! Hang in there!!! It’s worth all the struggles and feelings of failure when your adult children hug you and say thanks for the way they were raised. The eldest 3 are 23, 21 and 18. They look at their regular schooled age-mates, many of whom lived in display homes, and are so thankful for our crazy life. It’s easy to feel you’re the only one struggling but the day you’ve described is more typical than many are willing to admit! Thanks again so much for the courage to be real.

    1. Tauna

      Thank you so much Gwen for your encouragement and wise words! It’s always SO helpful to hear form someone who has already been there and survived. 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to comment!

  19. Leah

    Awww, the video is so precious, Tauna. Your babies are beautiful. All those giggles. My house sounds the same, lol, and my kids are 4, 9, 11, 12, 15, and 17. I also watch my niece and nephew who are 1 year old, and 5 years old. It’s crazy, everyday. I definitely know what it feels like, to just want to cry. But, isn’t it so amazing how the Lord keeps blessing us with eyes to see the amazing treasures we posess? Then, we cry anyway, out of joy, lol. You are so funny!! You gave me a few good chuckles. 🙂 Thanks for the peek into your day. We loved it!

    1. Tauna

      Ha! You definitely know how it is, from the sounds of it! Thanks for the encouraging words 🙂

  20. Marie-Rose

    The reason I love this post so much is how you’ve got the routine thing down. I know that it’s probably crazier on some days and maybe it doesn’t work perfectly,, but you’ve got lots of good things you do throughout the day that I want to incorporate for myself. I like the way you outline your day. I have a hard time with making a routine stick and it ends up being pretty disorganized. Which I’m working on. So anyways, thanks for this. I already feel the chaos and have accepted it as my reality, but you have shown how to make the chaos work. 🙂

    1. Tauna Meyer

      I am SO glad to hear that Marie-Rose! Thankful it can be a blessing to you. 🙂

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