A Day in the Life of Annie, Homeschool Mama of Three
Hi all! I’m Annie, mama to three, ages 2, 5 and 7. I grew up in Colorado, went to college in California where I met my husband, and moved to Oregon 18 years ago. I’ve been married for 16 years to my husband Aaron who is a high school woodshop teacher at one of our local public schools. I would have never imagined homeschooling my children, but it’s been the very best thing I’ve ever done!
Our homeschool is imperfect, fun, creative, and full of good books. Some days I feel like a winner, and others I feel like a failure. But I wouldn’t trade a single one of them. Thanks for choosing to follow along with me!
Good morning Learning Well Community!
I’m so excited to share our day with you today! I am an early riser, making sure to be up at least a couple of hours before my kids. I find that I’m more prepared, more patient, and more joyful when I get a good amount of time to myself before the day begins. I grab a cup of coffee (preferably topped with whipped cream!), and sit down to a stack of books.
I have always loved to read but it seemed to take a back seat once I started having kids. So about a year and a half ago I made a goal to start using my in between times to pick up a book instead of my phone or the remote and it has been the best thing I’ve done for my well being. Here is my current stack. Leave a comment with the best book you’ve read in the last couple of years and I’ll add it to my list!
My kids usually sleep a little later, so when they do finally make their way out of their rooms we hit the ground running with breakfast and our read aloud. We often read aloud other times during the day, but breakfast time is consistent. My kids are a captive audience when they are eating a meal, plus they are all still a little morning groggy, so I find it to be the easiest time to make it happen.
Learning Well LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Affiliate links from Amazon or other programs are used on this website. For more info, please refer to our disclosure statement.
Reading aloud has been an important part of our daily life since my first was very little. We started by using it as a part of nap time and bedtime routine and soon enough they all developed a real love of books.
We are currently reading The House at Pooh Corner which we’ve listened to on audio (the Peter Dennis version is our favorite!), however this time through we are using the Bravewriter Arrow guide. I would love to hear what your favorite family read aloud has been! Swipe to see some of ours!
Morning Chores
After breakfast I give the kids about 45 minutes to get dressed, brush their teeth and pick up their messes to get ready for the day. The kids help out a lot around the house, however we do not have a formal chore chart or routine.
Get the 6 Secrets to a Simpler Mom Life
That might change as they get older, but for now we work on more character training, which ultimately flows into sharing in the household duties with an uncomplaining attitude and a cheerful heart. If I’m being honest I work on this right alongside my kids because cleaning bathrooms is the absolute worst.
Starting our Lessons
We try to sit down and start lessons around 9:30 each day. We use a curriculum called Konos as our main spine and absolutely adore it. Anything that falls under this we try to do together, meaning all of us being a part of the discussions, projects, etc. Even though my middle child is in preschool she gains so much from this time with us and for the most part she really likes it!
For math and any extra language arts studies I work one on one with my oldest. During this time my middle one might play, color, or look at books.
My youngest spends this time on blanket time which has been an absolute lifesaver in our home for all three of my kids. It gives me the time I need to really focus on whoever I need to without having to worry that the toddler is off eating the remainder of the jar of cinnamon and sugar, which absolutely didn’t happen last week.
My youngest has been the hardest to train in this practice, so some days I get a glorious 40 minutes and others I get 10. But regardless, we continue to work on it as a way of teaching boundaries and independent play.
Swim Lessons
All three of my kids participate in swim lessons once a week at the same time. We live in an area that has a lot of recreational lakes and rivers so it is something we invest in to make sure they are as equipped as possible in the case of an emergency. My oldest has been taking lessons for five years now and it has been so much fun to watch her progression! It’s great exercise, provides many opportunities for physical endurance, and it’s a way for them to learn to take instruction from someone other than their good old parents.
Quite Time
After lunch we all take a 90 minute quiet time. The intent is for everyone to have time alone, but I admittedly let the older two do theirs together a few days a week. Today they chose to work on some pictures with Art For Kids Hub. They also use this time to listen to audiobooks as well. My youngest still naps, and I either kick up my feet with an afternoon cup of coffee and a book, or use the time to get a few things done around the house while listening to a podcast. If you have a favorite podcast share below! I’m always on the hunt for a new one!
Afternoon Time
On mornings where we have commitments outside of the house I find it hard to get done all the things I’d like as far as school is concerned. So after quiet time we either finish up those things, or go outside to play. Today they are all jumping on the trampoline to get some wiggles out before we read our history book together. Once my husband gets home I start dinner while he plays with the kids.
Evening Time
After dinner is more outside play time, baths and their dad spends time reading to them. They have been working through The Chronicles of Narnia for the last few months, but tonight was a stack of new picture books from the library. Once the kids are in bed my husband and I usually watch an episode of whatever Netflix show we are currently binging, and I prep for the next day.
It has been an absolute joy sharing with you all today! This community has been so life giving to me. Thanks for following along friends!
Thank you so much to Annie for sharing your family’s day with us!
If you want to see more Day in the Life photos and videos, be sure to check out our Instagram profile. There are highlights of each takeover at the top.
Leave a Reply