One of our most frequently asked questions is, “What does your average day look like as a homeschooling, stay at home mom?” To be honest, we run a pretty tight ship. It didn’t take long to realize the kids do SO MUCH BETTER with set structure, expectations, and schedules. When they can predict their days and have limited time for chores, play, etc. nothing becomes too overwhelming, and the day moves along nicely! Our day is never exactly the same, but here’s a sample of our usual schedule to get the feel!
5:15am Mom wakes up, has coffee, reads the Bible, does whatever she wants to feel ready to welcome 5 little ones to her day 😉
6:15am The kids wake up. Whoever is sleeping in can sleep in, but whoever is up earlier can’t come down until 6:15am when their lamps turn green. They know that Bible and quiet time for mom is a priority and they are welcome to read or relax until it’s time to start the day.
6:15-7am Eat breakfast, brush teeth, make beds, tidy rooms, and get dressed. They are expected to tidy their room every morning and every evening.
7am-9:00am School (Morning Meeting, Language Arts + Math. We always do the most essential and the things that require the most brain power first. If it’s a day we go to daily mass at 8am, we skip this portion of school and do these subjects when we get home.)
9:00-10:00am Snack + Play Break (always outside unless the weather doesn’t allow it)
10:00-11:30 School.
11:30-12:00 Chores. Tidy the house, switch the laundry, put away any clothes, fold any towels, empty the dishwasher, load it up, and we start to make lunch.
12:00-1:00pm Lunch + Play
1:00pm-3:00pm Quiet time. The younger ones usually nap for 2 hours. The older ones are expected to read or rest quietly in their room for one hour (they have watches or timers) and then quietly play for the second hour)
3:00-4:30pm Free Play
4:30-5:00pm Chores. Tidy, switch laundry, do dishes, start dinner prep.
5:00-6:00 Dinner (After dinner we make a point to stay at the table and have conversation. Some times we let each kid take turns asking everyone one question, sometimes we bring trivia like Brain Quest, etc. so there is a guided conversation that sparks thought).
6:00-7:00pm Family Game Night or Family Movie Night
7:00pm Bedtime List (brush teeth, clothes in hamper, put on PJs, tidy room)
7:10-7:30pm Dad reads aloud chapter book series + says prayers
7:30pm Bedtime (they can read or chat with each other or rest until their lamps go out at 8:45pm)
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