Not Enough Time
We're new to homeschooling and loving it, but I' m having one big problem. How does everyone else manage to continue doing all the regular things they've always done---housework, volunteer work, hobbies, more housework, and so on--while adding homeschooling to all of that? There just aren't enough hours in my day.
Relax--you’re no worse off than all the other homeschooling moms who wish for more hours or shorter "to do" lists! In some ways, starting to homeschool is much like adding the first baby to the family. It's challenging to adjust to different schedules, more expenses, less sleep, new problems. There are days when it seems like we've got it figured out, and days when nothing but the necessities get done. So we make changes. Maybe we alter some of our patterns and techniques. Maybe we revise our standards a little. Maybe we drop a few things off our list. Maybe we get some help. Eventually, we all find a way that works for us, and it does get easier with time and practice.
If you're doing a structured school-at-home type of program, your situation may be similar to that of any mother who is employed outside the home and who has to work all day and squeeze home and family things into evenings and weekends. The advantage is that you can be somewhat more flexible--running errands during the day or taking care of a few jobs while the kids are working on their projects. Having more people at home all day may result in more housework to be done, but it can also mean more people to help do it. Helping out can become a normal part of the kids' daily routines. Some families even include household chores as part of their curriculum.
Sometimes we do have to change the way we've always done things, or alter our standards a little. Home-made spaghetti sauce is the best, but store-bought will do if we're short on time. We've never left dirty dishes in the sink before, but it won't hurt to let them soak overnight once in a while. And it is okay to leave the Lego castle standing in the middle of the living room for a week, even if it means we can't vacuum as usual.
Sometimes we also have to drop things off our activity list, which only makes sense. If our schedule was comfortably full before, it’s probably going to be overloaded when we add another full-time responsibility like homeschooling. It's okay for moms to say no when people want our time and help. We can contribute baked goods to the fall bazaar instead of organizing the whole event like we have in the past or we can do Meals on Wheels one week a month instead of every week. Another option is to include the kids in our outside activities, maybe even making these activities part of our curriculum. The kids can help out at the Friends of the Library book sale or come with us to the art show reception.
Unfortunately, too often the things that get dropped from our list are our own hobbies and personal activities. Our painting studio becomes a school room; our yoga class turns into library story time; the only things we read are children's stories and parenting books. Sometimes we’re able to continue to follow our interests on a slightly different scale, such as taking our crochet project along while the kids are in swimming lessons or running early in the morning while dad is still home with the kids.
There are many different techniques to try and get more done in less time. Some people find it helpful to schedule more--such as housework and errands first thing in the morning before schoolwork or play. Others need to be more flexible--working on a project whenever there's a free minute. Some people are lucky enough to find another family that they can share childcare with. This way both moms get some "free" time without having to worry about the kids or add childcare expenses to the budget. Some families may also be able to share chores such as cooking extra food and trading with each other or running errands for each other so only one person has to go out each day.
If we do have to give something up or change our standards, we should remember that it's only temporary. While some days it may seem like we'll never be anything other than a full-time mom, in reality our kids are home with and dependent on us for a relatively short period of time. Just like we have to change our wardrobe when we're pregnant, we sometimes have to temporarily change our lifestyle when we're raising our kids. But before long we will be able to get back whatever we've missed--whether it's a spotlessly clean house, a full calendar of community events, or a special hobby. The most important thing is to not worry about it. As long as your family is fed, clothed and sheltered, the bills are paid, and your kids are doing whatever educational projects you think are appropriate, you're doing okay. After that it's a matter of matching your priorities to your available time and energy. It will probably take some trial and error to figure out what you can do and the best way to do it, but that's okay. Homeschooling is a learning experience for the whole family--and the learning is definitely not limited to reading, writing, and 'rithmetic!
Copyright © 2007 by Barbara Klapperich Senn