Are your homeschool days feeling like a blur? The struggle to stick to a schedule is real, and we’ve all been there. But don’t worry! We’ve got the ultimate guide to not just surviving but thriving in the world of homeschooling chaos. Get our FREE HOMESCHOOL GUIDE here!
Ever find yourself thinking, “Do the days even have names anymore?” Well, you’re not alone. Homeschooling can easily throw your plans into disarray, but don’t let that happen! Let’s embark on a journey to reclaim our schedules and make every day count.
In the realm of parenting, schedules bring order to the chaos and provide a roadmap for the day ahead. It turns out; children are secretly big fans of routine. Lucky for us, as the grown-ups, we hold the power to create the perfect schedule that caters to both their needs and ours.
8 Homeschool Tips to Stay on Schedule
Setting up your homeschool curriculum doesn’t have to be hard…anything is possible if you can set and follow a homeschooling schedule.
1. GET UP AT THE SAME TIME EACH DAY
One of the luxuries of homeschooling is not having any sort of schedule to adhere to. However, this can be a bad thing. Getting up at different times each day can be an issue, which is why you should try and get your kids to wake up at the same time every day in order to remain on schedule.
2. WRITE DOWN YOUR SCHEDULE
When it comes to trying to stay on schedule, write down your schedule. I use the Erin Condren Planner because it’s such a high-quality planner and has plenty of room to write in. You can even get a dry erase board to help you write down what is going to be happening next. By writing down a schedule, the kids will be more prepared as well because they know what to expect next.
3. HOLD YOUR FAMILY ACCOUNTABLE
To make homeschooling work well, parents should create a schedule and make sure everyone sticks to it. This means being on time for lessons and staying committed to learning. When parents show the importance of following a routine, it helps kids learn responsibility and stay organized. Having a consistent schedule not only helps with schoolwork but also teaches important life skills. By working together to stick to the plan, parents and kids can make homeschooling a positive and productive experience.
4. TIME YOURSELF
This is one that we do around here a lot and that is timing our work. Instead of taking two hours to do one task, we have found that timing ourselves is actually a better solution. You can use the timer on your phone or even use a kitchen timer. I love these magnetic visual timers! Setting timers can help you stay on task and show you how much you’re actually getting done in a short amount of time!
5. STAY ON TASK
Another great way to stay on schedule is to stay on task. It can be hard to manage a schedule when your family cannot stay on task. Challenge your kids to stay on task as well. We’ve had a lot of success with this kid timer! Give them some sort of incentive for staying on task and getting their work done.
6. REST WHEN YOU CAN
Keep in mind that a schedule is one thing, but everyone needs days where they don’t have a schedule. Allow your kids to “rest” a few days a week. Give them time off from schoolwork and just let them relax. This will reset them and allow them to be ready for when the new week approaches. Learning is hard on kids, just like work is hard on adults. Show a little compassion and grace.
7. KEEP RULES IN PLACE
Kids that have rules and boundaries are much likely to stay on schedule. Adults like to have those boundaries and so do kids.
8. FOCUS ON ONE THING AT A TIME
Another way to stay on schedule as a homeschooler is to focus on one thing at a time. Don’t get too caught up in doing too many things. Focus on one task at a time to help make staying on schedule a lot easier.
Staying on schedule as a homeschooler is not always easy, it can be downright hard. Using these tips, you can ensure your family at least has some sort of schedule in place. Schedules make families feel secure and confident.
Homeschooling Questions and Answers
Sometimes, there are questions about homeschooling that you might have. These might help!
How can I make homeschooling more fun?
Setting a schedule and sticking to it is one great way that you can make homeschooling a lot more fun. Your kids will notice that you’re in a better mode and more excited to follow your curriculum schedule and that will trickle down to them as well.
How do I motivate my child to be homeschooled?
If you’re noticing a bit of resistance from your child, sit down and talk to them about your homeschooling expectations. They might have feelings of resentment or be scared that can be cleared up quickly with a simple conversation. Talk to them about all the fun things that you’re going to be learning throughout the homeschooling year so that they know what to expect as well.
