We all know how important the homeschool schedule is. Without it, our lives are often chaos and confusion, with sometimes hours of the day wasted just trying to figure out who’s going where when, what’s coming up next and where did I put the reading comprehension sheets again.
As with most aspects of our life, we get thrown curve balls and have to deal with unforeseen and definitely unplanned circumstances in our homeschool. For example, our very first day of school in September, I fell and sprained my ankle. I was down for a week and a half, no school. Then, the three kids took turns getting colds all through the month of October. November came around, and it was the flu and bronchitis (another two weeks down). Finally, when we were all better, and ready to get back into the swing of things – we only had three weeks left until Christmas break.
I am the kind of person who likes to have most things planned out. If not on paper, then at least in my brain. But when you’re struggling with pain, fatigue, illness, daily routine, groceries, and a billion other things that we moms have to think about, things start to break down.
As much as I love scheduling, I still find I have a hard time getting it done. It isn’t that a schedule takes hours to complete – no, it’s more like 30 minutes tops. I have the great editable Homeschool Planner from Jolanthe at Homeschool Creations, and I just love it! But sometimes, when things are hectic and we’re recovering from illness or vacation, I just don’t get around to the schedule by Sunday afternoon.
So, what are we to do if our schedule doesn’t get, well, scheduled, and we’re flying by the seat of our pants every day trying to remember what comes next?
A good, simple, short-term solution, is to create a “shoestring” schedule! A bare bones, minimum “this is what we need to do to make it through” list to help you get your head back in the game.
It’s a great solution if:
- You’re back from vacation and you want to continue with schoolwork (but are trying to get things organized)
- You’re recovering from sickness and haven’t quite gotten back up to full strength
- You’ve started headlong into the week after a busy weekend and you just can’t seem to catch a break to schedule in the pages for daily subjects.
Just spend a few minutes in the morning writing down what you want to accomplish for each child that day, and go from there! Simple, right?
Another idea for helping make the next day even less stressful: as you finish each lesson, take a moment to write down the next day’s pages, and ta da! You’ve relieved your mind from the stress of thinking ahead and trying to remember everything that needs to get done. You will also find yourself to be in a much better mood and frame of mind to actually teach rather than zip through lessons to just get the check mark.
I find it also helps to keep a list of ideas for younger ones handy, in case I don’t get around to planning out our activities each day. Large Families on Purpose has a SUPER comprehensive list of ideas for young kids, which is great for planning or last minute, quick-I-need-something-to-keep-the-toddler-out-of-the-pencil-shavings!
While a “shoestring” schedule is okay for short term, I wouldn’t recommend continuing without a more comprehensive schedule for a long period of time. You may find yourself stressed out and behind on the work you had planned to accomplish.
If you aren’t sure where to start with scheduling, there are some great posts already here on the site. Also, consider getting a homeschool planner. Some great options are offered from Donna Young, Homeschool Creations , and The Old Schoolhouse.
Whatever you decide to do, make sure you give yourself a break after the unplanned interruptions of life – unload your goals and desires onto that piece of paper or into that word document, then work toward them so you can get everyone back on track and continue enjoying your homeschooling journey.
Lauren can be found writing at Serving from Home.
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Great Plan! My “shoestring” schedule is having the kids do anything they can do without being taught by mom. I may still have to give instructions, but I don’t have to plan or teach. Then I try to plan a day or two to get back on track with the things we’ve missed.
Suanna´s last [type] ..Mirror Writing?
We’ve definitely hit a need for a shoestring schedule… I’m pregnant, fell down the steps and broke my arm, and the flu just hit our house… thankful that we are still in the preschool-kindergarten years… the ideas for young kids should be helpful to keep us doing something besides cartoons until we can get life back on track!!!
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