Homeschool Day in the Life (with a 7-, 5-, and 1-year-old)
Some of my favorite blog posts to read are day-in-the-life
posts. I love to see how others manage
their day, especially when mine seems so crazy all the time! It is nice to see that I am not alone in that.
Today I am going to take you along on what our day is actually like. This isn’t an ideal day,
this isn’t a “most of the time this happens” day, this is straight up exactly
how our day went. I would love to hear
about your day in the comments below!
this isn’t a “most of the time this happens” day, this is straight up exactly
how our day went. I would love to hear
about your day in the comments below!
5am – My alarm
went off. I don’t normally wake up to an
alarm, I more often wake up on my own or by kids, but today I did. Somehow I was able to make it all the way downstairs with not one of my kids waking up. Brush teeth, make coffee.
went off. I don’t normally wake up to an
alarm, I more often wake up on my own or by kids, but today I did. Somehow I was able to make it all the way downstairs with not one of my kids waking up. Brush teeth, make coffee.
5:15am – Lucy just
woke up, and so I am back upstairs nursing her and trying to get her settled
again. Miraculously it works. It doesn’t always work, I would say 50% of
the time I can get her to go back to sleep, the other 50% she comes down and
plays in the living room.
woke up, and so I am back upstairs nursing her and trying to get her settled
again. Miraculously it works. It doesn’t always work, I would say 50% of
the time I can get her to go back to sleep, the other 50% she comes down and
plays in the living room.
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After I get back downstairs, I pour my coffee and do my
Bible reading and quiet time. I am
trying to read through the Bible this year, it has been a few years since I
have done that, and I am using the SheReadsTruth app on my phone. I also read the Proverb of the day. I spend some time writing out my prayers and
then fill in my to-do list in my Erin Condren Life Planner.
Bible reading and quiet time. I am
trying to read through the Bible this year, it has been a few years since I
have done that, and I am using the SheReadsTruth app on my phone. I also read the Proverb of the day. I spend some time writing out my prayers and
then fill in my to-do list in my Erin Condren Life Planner.
6:15am – usually everyone
is awake at this point. Today, for some
reason, everyone is still in bed. I
thank my lucky stars and start writing my blog post for the day. I take some video – we are trying to do more videos these days, for ourselves and also the blog. I am on cup of coffee number 2!
is awake at this point. Today, for some
reason, everyone is still in bed. I
thank my lucky stars and start writing my blog post for the day. I take some video – we are trying to do more videos these days, for ourselves and also the blog. I am on cup of coffee number 2!
7am – Everyone is
still in bed, I think that perhaps my family has been teleported to another
dimension, because they are never in bed this late. I continue to go with it. I look through my Erin Condren Teacher Planner
which is where I write out my plans for each week. I gather up the books that I am planning on
using for the day and set them on my table for easy access.
still in bed, I think that perhaps my family has been teleported to another
dimension, because they are never in bed this late. I continue to go with it. I look through my Erin Condren Teacher Planner
which is where I write out my plans for each week. I gather up the books that I am planning on
using for the day and set them on my table for easy access.
I spend some time reading e-mails and answering some blog
comments because I don’t know what else I should be doing. My kids never stay in bed late, and while I
love it, and have been praying for them to sleep later, it is so outside of the
norm, and I don’t know what to do with the extra time!
comments because I don’t know what else I should be doing. My kids never stay in bed late, and while I
love it, and have been praying for them to sleep later, it is so outside of the
norm, and I don’t know what to do with the extra time!
7:49am – Everyone
is up now. The breakfast time
begins. They start with apples, then
oatmeal with bananas, then they want toast with blueberry jam. They are starving this morning, so I am
assuming they are all going through a growth spurt. While they play with Lucy, I jump in the
shower and get ready for the day.
is up now. The breakfast time
begins. They start with apples, then
oatmeal with bananas, then they want toast with blueberry jam. They are starving this morning, so I am
assuming they are all going through a growth spurt. While they play with Lucy, I jump in the
shower and get ready for the day.
9am – We
typically start school now, but with the kids waking up so late, we don’t start
on time, instead the kids have a little free time, and we end up starting
around 9:30.
typically start school now, but with the kids waking up so late, we don’t start
on time, instead the kids have a little free time, and we end up starting
around 9:30.
The first thing on our list is Bible. Each of the kids reads in their Bible. Jack is reading The Beginner’s Bible and
Emma is reading the Discoverer’s Bible.
Emma is reading the Discoverer’s Bible.
After Bible we move on to reading. Emma is reading Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew. She got a box set of these books for
Christmas and has really been enjoying them.
Jack is reading Frog and Toad All Year. We move onto writing, both kids use Handwriting Without Tears, and both are almost done with their respective books, so
I need to make sure I order the next ones.
Emma will be doing cursive next, I can’t believe it! Then they move onto Math. Jack just started Singapore 1A and is
enjoying it, and Emma has about 5-6 weeks left of Singapore 2B. Jack loves Math, Emma does not. She doesn’t have trouble doing it, but doesn’t
want to sit down and actually do it.
Christmas and has really been enjoying them.
Jack is reading Frog and Toad All Year. We move onto writing, both kids use Handwriting Without Tears, and both are almost done with their respective books, so
I need to make sure I order the next ones.
Emma will be doing cursive next, I can’t believe it! Then they move onto Math. Jack just started Singapore 1A and is
enjoying it, and Emma has about 5-6 weeks left of Singapore 2B. Jack loves Math, Emma does not. She doesn’t have trouble doing it, but doesn’t
want to sit down and actually do it.
We use the book lists from Sonlight. Jack is starting Core B and Emma is on Core D.
Jack is usually done with all of his school in about 30
minutes. He then goes to play with Lucy,
while I sit and work on anything Emma needs help with. Some days they will take a break between
reading and math to do Cosmic Kids Yoga and have a snack,
but we didn’t take a break today because we were running behind.
During this morning time I try to get some chores done,
laundry, dishes, general picking up.
Nothing too complicated so I can stop when the kids need help.
laundry, dishes, general picking up.
Nothing too complicated so I can stop when the kids need help.
12:30pm – We are
done with the bulk of our schooling now, and the kids are off playing. Now is when I would typically put Lucy down
for a nap upstairs, but the neighbor is re-siding his house, and the bedroom is
on that side of the house, so instead I try to put her to sleep down on the couch
– surprisingly it works! Of course this
means I have to keep an eye on her so that she doesn’t roll off.
done with the bulk of our schooling now, and the kids are off playing. Now is when I would typically put Lucy down
for a nap upstairs, but the neighbor is re-siding his house, and the bedroom is
on that side of the house, so instead I try to put her to sleep down on the couch
– surprisingly it works! Of course this
means I have to keep an eye on her so that she doesn’t roll off.
The kids play on their kindles (playing Minecraft) while
Lucy sleeps. We started having “rest
time” again while Lucy takes her afternoon nap.
I take this time to work on blog stuff as well as take time for myself
to read and/or knit. I realized taking
this time was really good for me, and helps to recharge me for the rest of the
day. I am finishing up The Lifegiving Home by Sally Clarkson and Sarah Clarkson. I really enjoyed it!
Lucy sleeps. We started having “rest
time” again while Lucy takes her afternoon nap.
I take this time to work on blog stuff as well as take time for myself
to read and/or knit. I realized taking
this time was really good for me, and helps to recharge me for the rest of the
day. I am finishing up The Lifegiving Home by Sally Clarkson and Sarah Clarkson. I really enjoyed it!
2:30pm – Lucy is
awake, so we start having a late lunch and snack. We also decide to make peanut butter blossom
cookies. The kids had a great time doing
this. My plan had been to make bread in
the morning, but with our late start, we didn’t have time, instead cookies!
awake, so we start having a late lunch and snack. We also decide to make peanut butter blossom
cookies. The kids had a great time doing
this. My plan had been to make bread in
the morning, but with our late start, we didn’t have time, instead cookies!
We sit down to do our read alouds. I am currently reading The Long Winter by Laura
Ingalls Wilder. I wanted to read it in
the winter, because our Maine winters are usually long and cold, and I wanted
to remember that they are never as long and cold as that winter was for Laura
and her family! Surprisingly this winter
doesn’t seem like it has been long or cold…so maybe the positive thinking has
worked! I am reading The
House on Pooh Corner for Jack, and he really enjoys it.
Ingalls Wilder. I wanted to read it in
the winter, because our Maine winters are usually long and cold, and I wanted
to remember that they are never as long and cold as that winter was for Laura
and her family! Surprisingly this winter
doesn’t seem like it has been long or cold…so maybe the positive thinking has
worked! I am reading The
House on Pooh Corner for Jack, and he really enjoys it.
The rest of the afternoon we all play and hang out. It is a nice relaxing afternoon. The kids have been really well behaved all
day, and that is nice.
day, and that is nice.
5:45pm – Matt gets
home, and the kids are very excited because he is going to let them play Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. It is
one of our favorite games, and we downloaded it on our Wii. The kids don’t usually play video games at
our house (that is saved for Nana’s house), but Matt and I really love some of
the old Nintendo games…and the kids are getting a little older…so we may be
incorporating them a bit more!
home, and the kids are very excited because he is going to let them play Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. It is
one of our favorite games, and we downloaded it on our Wii. The kids don’t usually play video games at
our house (that is saved for Nana’s house), but Matt and I really love some of
the old Nintendo games…and the kids are getting a little older…so we may be
incorporating them a bit more!
6:15pm – Usually we
are done with dinner by this point, but I am so behind on the entire day that I
am just figuring out that the chicken spaghetti I had planned to make was not
going to be done. Instead we opt for
bean burritos and green smoothies. This
is my fall back meal whenever I don’t get things together during the day. I’m kind of disappointed I used my fall back
meal on Monday…
are done with dinner by this point, but I am so behind on the entire day that I
am just figuring out that the chicken spaghetti I had planned to make was not
going to be done. Instead we opt for
bean burritos and green smoothies. This
is my fall back meal whenever I don’t get things together during the day. I’m kind of disappointed I used my fall back
meal on Monday…
7:30pm – We put
the kids to bed. Lucy takes a while to
fall asleep tonight. It might have been
the cup of coffee I had in the afternoon.
Everyone is settled by 8pm though!
the kids to bed. Lucy takes a while to
fall asleep tonight. It might have been
the cup of coffee I had in the afternoon.
Everyone is settled by 8pm though!
8pm – I come
downstairs and start editing my DITL video.
Matt is watching a new show on Hulu called 11/22/63 by Stephen
King. He read the book a while ago and
was really excited that they made it into a show. We hang out a bit and chat and go over our
days.
downstairs and start editing my DITL video.
Matt is watching a new show on Hulu called 11/22/63 by Stephen
King. He read the book a while ago and
was really excited that they made it into a show. We hang out a bit and chat and go over our
days.
10pm – I am going to bed, although I am
wired and not quite ready to sleep, so I look for new books on Kindle Unlimited
that I can read. Of course I don’t find
one, and instead download a bunch of samples, but it wears me out enough to
fall asleep. My alarm is set for 5am,
and I will start the day again!
wired and not quite ready to sleep, so I look for new books on Kindle Unlimited
that I can read. Of course I don’t find
one, and instead download a bunch of samples, but it wears me out enough to
fall asleep. My alarm is set for 5am,
and I will start the day again!
What does your
day-in-the-life look like? I would love
to read about it! Please leave a link
below.
day-in-the-life look like? I would love
to read about it! Please leave a link
below.
*If you sign up through this Erin Condren link, they will e-mail you a code for $10 off your first order!
Thank you! This is one of the best things I’ve read! It blessed and encouraged me so much. Thank you for sharing your day!!
Loved your post! Sounds a lot like my days with my 4 … 7 year old, two almost 5 year olds and an almost 2 year old. Homeschooling is one of the best decisions we've made for our family! My 7 year old is strangely smart (she reads and comprehends on about a Jr high level). I love being able to give my identical twin girls the environment to develop their own identities but stay together. I love that they're all home to develop strong relationships with each other and their baby brother. Every day is busy and chaotic and loud and fun!! Keep it up! 🙂
Looks like you don't get enough sleep each night… how do you keep going?
Everything Erin Condren makes is magical, that teacher planner is adorable! Thanks for linking up at the Get It Together Link party!
Thanks for sharing your day. I really enjoyed reading it. I live in Maine too and find the winters can be long and dark. This year has been so mild. Maybe last year would have been a good time to read "The Long Winter." =)
Cookies, The Long Winter, such good stuff! I can't seem to find anything to read on Kindle Unlimited either (thankfully I'm just doing a free trial right now). Thanks for sharing your day!
We love the Little House on the Prairie books! We recently finished On the Shores of Silver Lake and I'm tempted to wait until next winter to start The Long Winter.
You are a very organized mom! I'm so glad you shared your homeschool day. I enjoyed watching the videos.
What would homeschool be without home-baked treats?!? Thanks for sharing…looks like a beautiful day!
This was a fun read. My day starts early like yours and I then spend my day teaching 6th graders. Keep up the good work!
5am? That is early. You are a wonderful, dedicated mom. Your kids are so very lucky!!
If my kids sleep past 6:30 I assume they are sick… my kids are just early risers! Your day reminds me a lot of our even though I have no babies. We are early to rise, get 99% of our schooling done by lunch and then have our afternoon to fill with "fun" things like building, baking, and playing.
As a teacher, I've often been curious about homeschooling and what it entails. It looks like you have a great schedule in place! I'm not sure yet what schooling route we'll choose when we have kids of our own – it'll depend on what state we're living in. (We move a lot with the military and let's just say education is not the same in every state!)
My little one is only six months old so we are far away from any thoughts of school, but I am so fascinated by the idea of homeschooling! Thank you for sharing a look at how you structure your days (you are superwoman! I'm tired just reading about it! 🙂
Very cool to see a behind the scenes look of homeschool. I know so little about it.
wow! Kudos to you for home schooling! What a sweet gift to them. My kids are in elementary and middle school and are often up getting themselves ready before I come home. I work nights so my morning starts at 3pm…and of course always with a cup of coffee..my favorite part of the day.
Wow you have a very very long day! I don't have kids yet so I have this all to come – making me worry a little haha!
Wow, this just makes me tired. Of course, I am tired all ready because I am a mom, but wow, you are super woman!
My kids all go to public school and we have an exchange student as well! I work a full time job as does my husband so we are very busy!
I might seriously stalk all of your posts about this. I am thinking of home schooling for my little guy.
Sounds like our family, almost the same ages and everything, except no one wanted to before 7! We start around 9 worth school work too though, and my lessons are a lot less organized. Nice knowing others out there are doing things just like me!
Ooh the peanut blossom cookies look delicious! I know what you mean about full days it seems like we never have enough time in the day!
The cookies were delicious, thanks! Yes, full days seem to be the norm for me recently. I love them, and enjoy every part of the day (even the hard days) but it would be nice if we could slow down a bit once in a while 🙂
My kids go to public school but our days are very very full.
With piano and soccer lessons and Bible study some days it feels like just a race to bedtime.
While the kids are at school I am busy trying to maintain the house and do all the chores. There isn't much time some days!
Yes, it seems like there are always activities and things to keep up with! Our "very long winter" is speeding right by us this year!
I need to do one of these Day in the Life Of posts again! Thanks for sharing your day! I read that Stephen King book and didn't know they made it into a mini-series! I have that planner and I love it! I write in pencil in it tho, because I change things so much!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
I love to see other people do DITL posts, they are so fun for me to read!
I loved reading your day in the life. It brought back some sweet memories. And it also reminded me how busy those days were! We have a lot in common, minus one kid and fast forward a few years. It doesn't seem that long ago that I was homeschooling my kiddos (and using Sonlight).
I have two kids, who are five years apart in age. They're now 17 and 12 and they go to public school.
Thank you! We love Sonlight, it is fun to cuddle on the couch with all those books!
Video games teach problem solving! And hand-eye coordination! And, if co-op, cooperation! xD
I mean, uh, I didn't grow up playing video games at all, noooooo xD Though, I am not very coordinated, it works for some people (I blame my lack of good depth perception, ha).
They can also teach you patience…or, how to use Google best so you can find a good walkthrough for when you are stuck 😉
Oh yes, I wish they had google when I was growing up – that would have made life a lot easier! what did I do before google??? Oh yeah, I asked my little brother to help 🙂
My kids go to public schools, so I have all day to myself while they are away to get everything done that I need to 🙂