Working from home is very common now, but it didn’t used to be! Y’all wanted me to talk about where I find the time to be a work-from-home homeschooling mom who still manages to take care of her home and cook from scratch. For those of you who don’t know, Barry and I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit. I love to homeschool our kids, keep our home, and cook everything (or almost everything) from scratch. But in addition to that, Barry and I run multiple businesses from home. I get asked ALL the time how I do it all.
But the truth is – I don’t! I can’t be 100% a stay at-home mom and 100% working woman.
I have to do one or the other at a time in order to do either thing well. And y’all may recall that I have said I think trying to balance it all is kind of crap. I try to be giving 100% to whatever I’m doing at each time. When I try to do too many things at once – I am not a good mom and I don’t accomplish much as far as working goes either.
In the past, I felt guilty if my children saw me working.
When I first started blogging and working from home, there was actually a whole movement about, “Don’t work when your kids are awake!” And, “You’re wasting their best years!” But y’all – I think it’s good for them to see (and help) me work! If I am not working, I am bored. And the work I do brings me enjoyment! But I no longer feel guilty for working because my children are home WITH ME. And bonus, now that they are getting older, my kids can help me with a lot of the things I need to get done in a day.
Barry and I are working really hard right now. We have a really big goal that I am not sharing about on social media at this point, but just know it is BIG. It’s important for me to work really hard NOW, so that later, my family can see the amazing benefits from it.
I know some of you get up early and work before the kids and some of you stay up later after the kids go to bed. This doesn’t work for me! If I don’t get enough sleep, my health is DIRECTLY affected. When I stay up too late and/or get up too early – I am not my best self in all the ways! What do I do each day instead?
Our “normal” daily routine looks a bit like this:
Barry and I both wake up around 6:00 and exercise. I like to be showered and have my makeup on before the kids get up. I like to get ready because it makes me feel better about myself. It doesn’t matter what everyone else thinks about me – I feel better about myself when I look my best and I am ready for the day.
I feed my kids breakfast, clean it all up, and then I eat breakfast. I know people think this is weird, but let me set the record straight… this is not weird. It’s something I’ve learned over the years and it is awesome! I get agitated when I try to eat at the same time as my kids. I sit down and EVERYONE needs something. Whether it’s ketchup, more water, a different fork… you get the idea! While they are little, I’ve learned it’s better for me if they go ahead eat and then head off to play so that I can eat my meal in peace and quiet. It’s one of the simple pleasures in the life of a work-from-home homeschooling mom.
After breakfast, the kids and I do whatever chores need to be done that day and then we begin our homeschool.
Some days we have more chores than others – but it’s usually an hour or less. After chores, we begin our homeschool. We try to get all of our schoolwork out of the way before lunch. It’s been our goal since we started homeschooling for our kids to be independent learners, so that’s what I’m striving for.
I make Annie a list of what she needs to get done each day in her lessons, work with her on things that require me, and then get her going. She comes back to me if she has questions or concerns. I don’t walk her through each lesson or assignment. But to be clear – I couldn’t get to this point until she learned how to read (and read well). Kindergarten and first grade were much more hands-on for her, and will be for all the others as they get there as well.
We still do some things together, like certain history lessons or science experiments. I get asked a lot about her math. Math is not my strong suit, and her lessons for math are on the computer. Thankfully, that means she doesn’t need me much. I just have to go check her work once or twice a week to make sure she is doing well and getting the correct answers. If she’s struggling, we revisit those topics one morning to make sure she grasps the concepts. And it’s not like I’m off somewhere! If my kids need me, we are all together in the same room (or close) – all they have to do is ask me for help!
Our morning goal is to finish chores and school by lunchtime.
After lunch, I am able to work off and on for about 3 to 3-1/2 hours. During this time, the kids are downstairs playing quietly or watching a movie, and if they want it, taking a nap. This timeframe is when I typically churn out the majority of my work. A dedicated quiet time for them is a welcome break for us all. Plus, let’s be honest – the kids love getting a chance to watch a little show. At some point, when the kiddos start to get antsy to do something else, and if the weather is nice, all of the kids will go outside and play for the rest of the day. They only come inside for a dinner break (and then they usually head right back outside).
After dinner until bedtime is family time.
In the evenings, I very, very, rarely work. I will occasionally have to answer calls or texts during that time, but not often. This is also Barry’s only time during the week to spend with the kids, so we try to make the most of this time to be together. Once the kids are all asleep, Barry and I finish up the rest of our work: mailings, easy projects, outside or yard work, etc. Our goal is to be done and ready to relax by 9:00. Then we relax – usually staying up until about 10:00 or 10:30 pm. And that’s a day in the life of Stacy!
This is where we are at right now, but life is always changing!
The seasons of life are full of trial and error. You figure out what works and what doesn’t. You have to be flexible when your seasons of life change. I realize my approach to being a work-from-home homeschooling mom isn’t for everybody. But no matter what stance you take with your family – embrace it and ignore the naysayers. Don’t let someone make you feel bad about your choices. You need to figure out what works best for you, your family, your financial situation, your profession etc. You’ve got this! And as always, I’m just a message away if you need me!
Would like to know what the big goal is that you and your hubby are trying to reach
Stacy you really have it going on! Excellent discipline, a consistent schedule, and good habits. I’m in awe of this and kind of reading with a bit of a cringe when I look at my own day!
Every single day is different.
The good news is my oldest has finished PSEO which is free college for two years- and my second-born is driving with my first born to the same College. One is starting her PSEO, the other is paying for his own schooling and books. My husband takes the bus and train so my older two can take themselves to Community College Freeing me up of about 2 hours in the day. Whoohooo!
Today I took my youngest to the gym with me after the two older ones had breakfast and took off. We did cardio and weights together. After, we sat visiting, I bought him a coffee (a rare treat). I felt like I’d been on vacation. All of this was spur of the moment.
We picked up my daughter, from there I worked on my own work, did some house cleaning and worked with both of my children on their homework while we made dinner.
I think I kind of have a skeleton of the day of must dos and then fill it in with extra things.
I too have included my children in my work, bringing them to help out at health fairs. They have helped me to put together displays and greet people as they come in and help in explaining the display and doing some teaching to people about whatever topic I have going.
Due to their own work, swim team, school assignments, my own evening work as a nurse… I don’t have a set routine it’s always in flux but that kind of fits my personality. But it is also my downfall because I need to be more organized and disciplined. But 6 in the morning? That is mighty early Stacy!
The way we do dinner is someone makes something and everybody comes in and eats as they are compelled. This way if someone comes home from school and is famished but not everybody’s home, they can still eat. If someone isn’t hungry, they don’t have to eat. Sometimes I’m not home and they’ll find dinner on their own. I know this sounds like a renegade way of doing dinner, but it takes a huge amount of stress off of all of us. Dinner time tends to be the busiest time of the day with all our different schedules. My three children have become good at finding healthful choices in the refrigerator if I don’t make something.
My daughter has discovered that she loves cooking. Often times she will take this up and make something for everybody. This is something I’ve let go of -thinking that it’s up to me to make this big dinner ahead of time.
I love, love, love, how you have incorporated a routine and order into your day giving everyone more freedom ultimately. This gives your children security and something to count on each day that they will take into their adult lives. I am inspired and I’m considering which of these good habits I can embrace. Maybe not 6 in the morning !!!:)
I can’t wait to hear what you’re up to with your new Venture with Barry and the family.
I am so sorry for the late response to this wonderful comment! We’ve had an issue with SPAM eating all our juiciest comments!! Thank you so much for taking the time to share – I really appreciated hearing all about a day in your life.
Julie, Humorous Homemaking Team
I’m beginning my work from home journey – We have a lot of outings in our week & there’s not a lot of routines I like but your routine is really good. I have a preschooler, a year 4 and one on the way – your post is very inspiring.
So glad to hear that Emma! Thanks for the kind comment 🙂
Julie, Humorous Homemaking Team
Ok. I am so glad you said you don’t eat with your kids. I always end up eating after everyone (even the hubs when he is actually home for dinner) and I always get frustrated. I have never though to INTENTIONALLY plan to eat after everyone else stops bugging me for stuff. What an amazing idea!! Thank you!!
Hoping to be a WAHM soon. Your tips are amazing and will help me start on the right track.
Thanks for the comment, Jennifer. So glad to hear you appreciated the idea!
Julie, Humorous Homemaking Team
I work part-time and homeschool as well! The majority of my work is cleaning jobs and I’m able to take my girls with me. Some days our schooling is on the goal, and other days we get to stay home. I also do some VA work, run a blog, and occasionally work in St. Louis as an inspector, when needed (I have a lot of time at this job to grade papers ?). Thankfully it’s all flexible and we can make it work! I’m like you- I have to have my sleep so I cannot get up super early.