Our daily homeschool rhythm (with multiple kids)
When I first started homeschooling, I thought there was no way that I could ever be equipped enough to actually teach my kids. I came from the brick and mortar system and homeschooling seemed so overwhelming to me! I thought I needed a perfectly planned schedule. Something structured. Organized. Done “the right way.”
That didn’t last long. With multiple kids, a toddler, animals to take care of, and a full home to run—our days don’t fit into a perfect schedule. As much as I wanted to execute that perfect schedule that I had created in my head of what homeschool would look like...morning time reading, crafts, science experiments, fun memorization games and have it all done by noon, the reality was...I just couldn't make that happen. What we have now isn’t a strict routine. It’s just a rhythm that works for our home.
Our mornings start with real life
We don’t start the day with school.
We start with what needs to be done.
Farm Chores (chickens, dogs, milking the cow)
Breakfast
Cleaning up
That alone takes time—and that’s okay.
I used to feel behind before we even started school. As if I was trying to meet the deadline of someone else's schedule. Now I see it differently. This is part of their education too! I am teaching them to be on time for a job that needs to get done. The kids have set alarms that they are responsible for waking up to. This can be a hard task, but it's an important one. It teaches them discipline, and to show up even when they don't want to...and trust me, there are lots of times that they don't want to.
When we actually start school
After everything is done, we start homeschooling. There’s no exact time every day.
Some days, when the sun comes up by 5am, it's earlier. On those short winter days, it’s later. We start when the house is ready. There is nothing more chaotic than trying to start your day of school with a kitchen full of dishes, half of the kids still sleeping and eggs still smeared on the table. Again, this is teaching them discipline to have order and cleanliness. Not only does it help mom think, but gives them an atmosphere worthy of learning in.
How I manage multiple kids
Most of my kids do independent work.
I outsource math and English, which has made a huge difference. It allows them to work on their own while I focus where I’m needed most, which right now is with my 6 year old. Teaching him how to read takes the most time and is my main focus during school time. Of course I help the bigger kids get through some of their work when they are stuck, but they mostly can finish it all on their own.
What about the toddler? That is always the tricky part! The best hack I have found is going to the dollar store and stocking up on some fun activities that he/she can play with while we are doing school. These activities are only for that toddler, and only pulled out during school hours. Be OK with allowing the toddler to make a mess of his/her space. If you are fortunate enough to have a homeschool room/area, allow the toddler to free rein in that area with the activities and be OK with the mess! If you are like me, and don't have a homeschool room, well, that's one of the things that I have had to be OK with! Yes, during school hours my living room is a mess! It's filled with the toddler activities! Sometimes I have stations that I set up so the toddler can rotate between different toys. Sometimes, a few mixing bowls filled with some water, a mixing spoon, and some duplo legos will buy me 30-45 minutes of quiet play while I teach the others! Will there be water on the floor after the toddler is done with that activity? You betcha! But guess what? Now my floors are clean when he is done! Add a few soap bubbles to that bowl of water and you can consider your floors mopped for the week!
Ok, but what if you have a newborn? Or a newborn plus a toddler? The best thing that I have found for a newborn is fairly easy...contact napping! Nurse that baby while you teach, wear that baby while you teach. Take your lessons to the carpet while baby has some tummy time. It's all a juggling act so to speak, but it does not to be a chaotic one. You can juggle many balls with control...you just need a few tools in your belt!
This is probably the hardest part. Some days the toddler plays independently.
Some days… not so much. When I need to, I set up simple stations or activities to keep him busy while I’m teaching. Whenever I finish with the 6 year old, he then can entertain the toddler while we do our family time together. It’s not perfect, but it works well enough.
What we do together
Once independent work is done, we come back together for Bible, History, and Science. We use My Fathers World curriculum which works as a one school room style where the little ones can color a worksheet while we talk about Napoleon Bonaparte.
This is one of my favorite parts of the day because we’re all together.
And then—we’re done. Some kids have more independent subjects to finish, others have music to practice like piano, guitar and violin, but that concludes the chunk of our day.
That’s our school day
It’s not long. It’s not complicated. And it’s definitely not perfect.
But it works for our family. It may look different for your family...in fact it should! The goal isn’t to copy someone else’s routine. It’s to find a rhythm that works in your home—and stick with it. And when life suddenly changes, as it has a tendency to that often, be ok with tweaking your schedule so it makes sense, makes you feel less crazy, and doesn't feel like you have failed your schedule. Remember, its not about being a slave to your routine or schedule, it's about the structure working for you.
What I’ve learned
I don’t need:
a strict schedule
hours of school
a perfectly quiet house
I just need:
consistency
a simple structure
realistic expectations
and LOTS of flexibility
If your homeschool feels overwhelming
You’re probably trying to do too much. Homeschooling doesn’t have to take all day.
It just has to be intentional. Kids need academics yes! They also learn in so many different ways so it's ok if your school day doesn't look like the way the kids are doing it in the public school. There is a reason why you homeschool, and one of those reasons is probably because you want a different education than you had. Let the kids play legos on the floor while you read to them the history lesson. Let them listen to a lesson on audio as you are all driving to the dentist appointment. Let them skip a lesson in the science text book to go study the new birds that just hatched on the tree outside. When the kids are younger it's all about discovery and wonder! They will have many years of practicing how to read, so let them discover while they are young!
