school @ home: staying sane

Good Morning, girlies :)

I'm continuing on with my mini homeschool series this week.

Yesterday I talked a bit about getting started and gave some tips on that.

Today I'm talking about what I get a lot of questions about:
How do you stay sane when you're homeschooling??!

Well, that's easy...I'm not!  Just kidding, I am...I think.

There are definitely days where I feel like my life is completely out of control, but

I've learned a few things over the last several years about keeping my cool...

although, I'm always in need of a reminder on how to do this.

So, here's a few ways you can keep the sanity flowing in your home once you've decided to do school at home...

Duh, right?
No really, it's not so easy.

I've decided that wherever kids are a lot of the time is undoubtedly NOT organized.

SO, our school room is an area that I'm constantly having to organize.

A few things that have helped me is:

~Throw right away!  Don't save 17 fact sheets and let them drive you nuts.

After your child is done with a worksheet, check it over, make corrections and throw it or file it.

~ Everything in it's place. If you AND your kids know where things go, it's a lot easier for everyone to keep it picked up.

~ Don't leave it a mess.  Every. single. day after we're done doing school, I have everyone pick up their area...pencils in the cup, crayons in the jar, puzzles back on the shelf, books where they belong...

If I let them scatter, them I'm left picking it all up...which I feel like, teaches them nothing.

And then it's all neat and tidy for the next day.

I usually do my lesson planning on Sunday night.

I make sure I have everything I need for any projects we might be doing and make copies of whatever I need.

BUT I always plan in pencil.

I'm not too sure if I've ever had a whole week go according to my original plan...but that's ok.  That's part of the beauty of homeschooling...we don't HAVE to get done every single thing...we can always make it up another day.

Also, I mostly leave our Fridays open so that we can make up anything we didn't get to.

Kids need a routine, that's for sure.  But I do know that in order to avoid school getting boring, you've got to have a little spontaneity.

If it's nice, do school outside....if it's not, do school by the fire.

A few times last winter when it was reallllly draggin' on, we loaded up all our books and did school at the library.  Just a change of scenery can help to rejuvenate everyone...thus avoiding insanity. :)

When I say change it up, I also mean that if something isn't working for your family stop using it.

I'm really bad about this because if I've paid for something, I want to use it...but if a certain curriculum is boring or non-challenging, quit using it.

You can always sell it online.

This bit is really important to me because I think it's so important for the younger kids that aren't being schooled to be part of the action.

Even though it's busier with the little ones around, it's such a great bonding time for your kids.

For Sophie, who's just barely 3, I have little games that are ONLY for school time.

I say ONLY for school time so that they remain special...

like the pattern blocks she's playing with in the picture,

lacing shape thingies, certain puzzles and coloring books...

these are things that have a special place in the school room that she can play with quietly while I work on school with the boys.

The little kids are also involved in the read-alouds I read for Noah's history...

so right now we're reading through Shakespeare for Children, and Jack (5) is the one asking for one more chapter.

I've been so amazed at what these little minds can pick up!

That's another reason why I want them in on the action...they are such little sponges!

I do buy workbooks for Jack and Sophia to work on while I'm working with Noah.

My very favorites are called Kumon books.  They are excellent for little learners.

There are all different types of books for all different ages.

Although I love the little ones being involved, there have been days where they are just NOT cooperating and then they are escorted to their rooms until school is over. :)

I think joining a homeschool group is so SO important.

If you don't have a group in your area, start your own!

It doesn't have to be anything fancy, just organize some field trips and activities with some other moms.

If you're new to the area and don't know any other homeschoolers, a quick google search will probably do the trick OR go to the library during school hours and there's bound to be another homeschool mama there :)

I love being part of a group for so many reasons, like:

~ the support of other moms

~ getting ideas and inspiration for other moms

~ the activities and experiences for my kids

~kids learn a lot and so do I!

~ being able to connect with like-minded mamas

~ getting my kids around other kids so they're not completely weird ;)

~ a break from the regular school day

I mean this in the sweetest way possible, mmmm k?

I love my kids, but seriously...I am an adult and my life cannot purely revolve around

 sippy cups and baby carrots.

I am a person that thrives on alone time.

I like quiet.

Kids are not generally quiet.

SO, usually after lunch...when Sophie's napping, I have the boys do something quiet...like read, watch a short video, play Lego's, or go outside...

then, I get my tea :)

I just need that time.

I think, if nothing else...that 30-45 minutes keeps me sane.

It doesn't work out every single day, but if I can swing it, it's a beautiful thing!

So there's a few ways we try to be sane around my parts.

What about you?  How do you stop the insanity?

I'll be back tomorrow with the last part of my mini series and talk about why we chose to homeschool and answer your questions.....

so if you've got 'em, ask 'em! :)

till then,

{alicia}