Have you found your homeschool rhythm?

Are you new to homeschooling? Have you found your rhythm yet? Lots of families are new to the homeschooling world this year, including us. We found our rhythm very early on and wanted to share it with you to help inspire you to find yours.

What is your ‘rhythm’ you may be asking? Your rhythm is the pulse of your homeschool and your family's day to day routine. It allows a sense of order and expectation for you and for your children.

For our household we found that having a schedule doesn’t really work for us, but having a routine or rhythm does. It allows for the days to flow naturally and not feel forced. It also allows for more autonomy amongst the littles, which can sometimes help the day go smoother.

Let me preface this post with one thing. I do not work. I am a full-time SAHM. I can not imagine trying to work from home or otherwise and homeschool. I applaud all the moms and dads out there who can do both. Homeschooling, especially during COVID is a full-time job! I also have an only child, which I believe probably makes homeschooling easier, but also comes with its own struggles…

Here’s a sample of our daily rhythm:

Morning: Wake up organically. We don’t set alarms or get up at any prescribed time. We are all naturally early risers in our home, so even when Hawkins was in ‘regular’ school, an alarm was unnecessary. I typically wake up much earlier than everyone in our dwelling. This is MY time. I drink my coffee. Read the news. I catch up on Facebook, Instagram, email and I work on my blog.

Once Hawkins wakes, he typically stays in bed and reads. This is often his ‘independent reading time’. He plows through books. There are mornings where he’ll lay in bed and read for over an hour. I encourage his ferocious appetite for books as much as I can and even go as far as to serve him breakfast in bed so he’ll continue reading. Admittedly, this is selfish on my part - it allows more time for ME.

If he comes down for breakfast he typically reads, plays legos, or works on a project while I prepare breakfast.

Once breakfast is complete we clean up and start school. I let Hawkins pick what subject he wants to start with. We are currently studying math, history, language arts, and Spanish. We add in art and science projects spontaneously and organically. Hawkins is also starting piano lessons soon and he attends a Forest Homeschool Program two days a week at the Wauhatchie Forest School.

We usually do one or two subjects (depending on how long they take) and then take a break. Our breaks consist of a bike ride, walk, or some sort of play. I find getting outdoors is a wonderful way to break up the morning and refresh our bodies and minds. If the weather is particularly nice we may even do our school work outside! After our break we come back and do one or two more subjects, depending on time. I don’t force it. If Hawkins is struggling we take more breaks, if things are flowing really well we get it done so we can have the rest of the afternoon to play!

Wauhatchie School T/TH: This is the highlight of Hawkins’ week. He loves Wauhatchie. He attends Forest School two days a week from 12:30-4pm. There he is with a small group of children ages 7-11 playing outdoors, exploring nature, and learning about Mother Earth. The above picture is of the fields where he gets to spend his days, and I couldn’t be happier about that.

Afternoon: Typically by lunch we have most of our school work completed, but not always. If it’s a Forest School day or a day when the weather is forecasted to be nice in the morning and rain in the afternoon, we may put off school until after lunch or late afternoon. That’s the great thing about homeschool, you make the schedule! I also may arrange Hawkins’ school schedule depending on play dates. Since he is an only child it is a priority to me that he gets play time everyday with friends.

Evening: Once play time is over we start dinner preparations. One of Hawkins’ jobs is to help clean up the kitchen from the day's activities and then to set the table while I prepare the food. I am working on being more intentional with chores for Hawkins. This is a weakness for me and him.

Family dinners are very important to me. We eat together as a family most nights, unless Robert is working late. After dinner clean-up, if the weather is still nice, we head back outside and swim, golf, or take the dogs for a stroll. If the weather is bad we will watch a movie, play games or read.

Bedtime: Our bedtime routine has been the same almost since Hawkins was born. The three of us pile into bed together and read. When Hawkins was younger we read to him. Now we all grab our books and have family independent reading time. We have been trying to read to Hawkins aloud still, as it is still a tremendous learning tool to be read to, but Hawkins usually prefers to read to himself. Eventually, I tear the book out of his hands, turn out the lights, kiss him goodnight and the next morning we do it all over again.

As idyllic as this all sounds, we have our struggles. There are days when Hawkins is being extra sensitive and not only school, but the whole day is a struggle. When that happens I try to get us outdoors. I find nature soothes the mind, body, and soul.

I hope that if you haven’t, you find your rhythm soon, and if you have already found it that you’re able to keep cruising along the homeschool road without too many twist, turns, or bumps.