The only reason is: it wasn’t easy to build a routine that allows me and my husband to work, homeschool my year 2 son and take care of a very active 2 year old. We finally found a way to do it, so I’m not stopping now, because I know that going back to it would be too difficult.

How do we do it?

We have family meetings every morning Monday to Friday, when we plan the learning for the day, chores and free time for all of us. We plan every minute from 8:45 to 4:30, which really helps to cut down the screen time for the kids, plus the older one doesn’t ask all the time ;”What shall I do now?” - which in his language means “Can I watch?”

Our schedule

We colour code the plan so we can easily see the breaks and free time- in orange; mummy’s “free time” (well, I still have the toddler on the radar) -in green; learning with mummy’s support - in white. When it’s free time the kids come up with their own games and things to do, they can also watch tv. I leave it for them to decide.

I keep learning as fun as can be. I always start with a little intro of the goal that we want to reach. For example "telling the time up to 5 min using past and to". We watch parenTutor video tutorials, or I explain how to do it. Then we practise together. After 20-30 min it's my child's turn to practice on his own. He can play a specific online game, follow online tutorials or do appropriate activities in his workbook. This gives me 20-30 min "free time". YAY!!!

I keep learning as fun as can be. I alway start with a little intro of the goal that we want to reach today, for example "telling the time up to 5 min using past and to". We watch parenTutor video tutorials, or I explain how to do it. Then we practise together. After 20-30 min it's my child's turn to practice on his own. He can play a specific online game, follow online tutorials or do appropriate activities in his workbook. This gives me 20-30 min "free time". YAY!!!

Ok, the learning that we do is not the old school learning. We do a bit of hands on maths (baking with fractions, tally charts and bar charts to count how many Easter eggs they found), free reading, power writing (about a cartoon that he has just watched), book reviews, hands on science, some geography with real or online maps, we enjoy audio stories and stories that we read together.

In the house I have created rich learning environment with measuring vessels and jugs in a water tray (roasting tray), balancing scale in a sand/pasta tray, diy number lines on the wall and lego people count real coins. I give them toys that facilitate learning.

After 4:30 it’s family time - we play together, go for a walk, cycle, prepare dinner and enjoy activities made up by the kids.

Summary

This plan works for my family, I am not stressed that I need to work, homeschool, be a music teacher, do all the chores, meals and take care of a toddler.

I’m not telling you what to do, or that this option is the only good option. I simply share my experience and what works for my family. Will it work for yours?

Please share your thoughts or maybe you have tips that I might be able to adapt to my wild schedule.