Homeschooling 3 children with a baby and housekeeping is very challenging but not impossible! In our first year of homeschooling, we would complete our school work but the house would be a mess and I kept finding myself awake till late hours into the night trying to complete my chores. I would wonder how can I homeschool my child and do housekeeping without taking away hours from my sleep? Well, it takes planning, patience and technique to manage your time as a busy mum and homeschooler. Here are a few tips and techniques that have worked for me.
Make a schedule
To be able to complete your household chores while homeschooling you need to have a homeschooling and housekeeping schedule. This schedule should tell you approximately what time your homeschool will start, when it will finish and when you have spare time. For example, during your child’s copy-work or writing work you do not have to be present, they should be able to sit down and complete their work, during this time you can squeeze in a chore. Let your child know the schedule you have created and the different subjects you have set for the specific time of day. Set a time in the day for quite play, this will give you some time to finish a chore.
Distribute the chores
Once you have decided the best timings, look at all the chores you need to complete and distribute them throughout the week.
Get your children involved
Now, depending on the age of your children, you can get your children involved to help you with the chores. Let your child know how important it is to keep the home clean. Also let them know that mommy needs their help, she can’t do it all by herself! My 5-year-old daughter helps to set and clear the table at meal times, she helps to clean her room, make her bed, help fold the laundry, put away toys when done playing, dusting, vacuuming, take out the recycling, and even help with prepping meals. Your child might not be as small as you think and they might not get the chore done perfectly but it is a learning process and it takes practice to master it.
Combine the two: homeschooling – housekeeping
Getting your child to help with chores is a great way of implying what the child has learnt, for example, ask your child “how many plates do we need at the table” or “I need four apples for the pie, could you count me four apples”. By doing this they are practicing their numbers, counting and learning about the different objects.
Don’t forget the rewards
Create a chore chart and reward your child for helping, this way they will be encouraged to help out more and do not forget to reward yourself too.
Learning does not only happen from books and worksheets, be creative and fun and enjoy the early years with your child.
Salam,
NurturingEmaan.
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