Finding Balance: Homeschooling and Housekeeping
Homeschooling, Housekeeping, and Alleviating Stress
In the hustle and bustle of our homeschool lives, we often find ourselves juggling multiple roles and responsibilities. The demands of educating our children alongside homemaking duties can feel overwhelming. Nevertheless, with a few practical strategies and a shift in perspective, it’s possible to alleviate some of the stress and find harmony in the chaos.
Two Full-Time Jobs
Us homeschool moms undoubtedly wear two hats – that of educator and homemaker. While the rewards of both roles are great, the workload can feel daunting. The challenge is compounded because our children are home all day, every day. It sure isn’t easy to keep a house clean and orderly when our children are making messes faster than we can clean! However, by reframing our approach and enlisting the help of our families, we can navigate this challenge with grace. Well, at least a bit of grace!
Expectations
One key realization is that our spouse’s expectations may need to be adjusted. In homeschooling households, the division of labor often follows traditional roles, with the wife primarily responsible for homemaking. However, where one parent is actively involved in directing their children’s education, it’s essential to communicate openly and set realistic expectations. It is important to emphasize the shared nature of household responsibilities. This will foster a spirit of cooperation and understanding.
It’s hard for some of us to accept that we cannot keep a spotless house while homeschooling, but we must do just that. Take it from me: The empty nest comes fast enough, and you’ll miss those messy littles. Your children will grow up and move out, and your house will be beautifully clean. In the meantime, rejoice in knowing that real learning is happening in your home and learning is messy. (See our podcast episode: Messy Hospitality.)
Assigning Responsibilities to Children
Getting children involved in household chores is not only practical but also educational. By assigning age-appropriate tasks, children learn valuable life skills, develop a sense of responsibility, and contribute to the functioning of the household. From tidying up their rooms to helping with meal preparation, involving children in household tasks can foster a sense of ownership and teamwork within your family.
Yes, it will take young children far longer to do chores than you would, but it pays off in the long run. You’ll likely need to tolerate a less-than-perfect job for the time being.
Add It to the Transcript
Moreover, we homeschooling parents can leverage housekeeping to our advantage by incorporating Home Economics into our curriculum. Teaching children basic cooking, cleaning, and organizing skills not only equips them for independent living but also lightens the load for you. Including Home Economics on the transcript ensures that these essential “adulting” skills are recognized and valued alongside academic achievements.
Meal Planning
When it comes to meal preparation, time-saving appliances like the Crockpot or Instant Pot can be invaluable allies. These versatile kitchen gadgets streamline the cooking process, allowing you to prepare wholesome meals with minimal effort. By planning ahead and utilizing these tools effectively, parents can ensure that nutritious meals are on the table without sacrificing precious time or energy. For more, see Phillip Campbell’s article: Tips for Easy Meal Planning When Homeschooling.
Reduce Clutter
The more you own, the more clutter, the more to dust, the more to organize. Regularly clear out the stuff. Here are some ideas to get you started
- Rotate Toys. Package up half of the kids’ toys and put them in the attic or garage. Six months later, bring them out and put away the other half. It’s like Christmas every six months, and you don’t have to bring anything else into the house!
- Give Experiences. For special occasions, give an experience instead of a material gift. This can include concert tickets, zoo or water park passes, trips to see friends, cooking lessons, etc.
- High Quality Items. Instead of buying many small, cheap items for your home, focus on a few high-quality toys, appliances, etc.
- Purge. Occasionally, go through your home and donate items that are no longer used.
Manage Clutter
Now, to be honest, with kids and homeschooling, you can’t get rid of ALL the clutter.
Once, when my dad visited, and I had a houseful of littles, I found myself apologizing for the mess. My dad replied, “There’s no reason to apologize, Maureen. The house is clean. What I see is clutter. But the clutter is books, newspapers, and toys. That tells me that there’s learning, fun, and life happening here.” His positive attitude did make me feel better. Yet, I was still stressed by the clutter and had to work on getting it under control
Here are just a few helpful ideas to get you started:
- Create clutter-catching areas. For example, a basket by the door just for winter gloves and scarves or a crate in a corner just for library books.
- The five-minute tidy. Just before dinner, set the timer and have a contest to see how fast the kids can tidy the room.
- Schedules and to-do lists. Break down cleaning tasks into daily, weekly, and monthly tasks, and assign them to children on specific days of the week.
- Morning ritual. Have children tidy their bedrooms or bathroom before breakfast.
Conclusion
Finding balance is an ongoing journey in the grand tapestry of homeschooling and homemaking. It requires patience, flexibility, and a willingness to adapt to changing circumstances. By collaborating with your spouse, involving children in household tasks, integrating Home Ec into the curriculum, and leveraging time-saving appliances, you can alleviate some of the stress and create a more harmonious home environment.
As we navigate the joys and challenges of homeschooling while keeping house, let’s remember that we are not alone. Together, as a community of homeschooling families, we can support and encourage one another. I invite you to join me and other homeschooling parents in our Homeschool Connections Community or our Facebook group to continue the discussion!
