Creating a Daily Schedule
- rstinson10
- Mar 4
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 8
Hello! We are veteran homeschoolers. We invite you to browse our website for articles about navigating the homeschool world, encouragement when making friends and limiting screen time for your family.
Even though this is written for homeschool parents, I truly believe everyone can benefit from this information.
Being a SAHM (Stay At Home Mom) or a homeschool parent is a full time job. It takes time and its a necessity to organize your calendar to plan for it.
If our family only hung out at home, watched TV, did schoolwork and played, homeschooling would be very difficult. Instead, we use a daily semi-flexible schedule which helps us stay organized, creates balance, helps avoid burn out, and helps our home run smoothly.
Having a schedule creates balance in our life. With too little planning our familiy may feel idle and bored. Conversely, too much planning makes our life feel rushed and too busy. Time management is an important skill that everyone should have, not just homeschoolers. It can be easy for things to "fall through the cracks" and forgotten if you are not proactive about making them a priority. By creating a semi-rigid schedule, you can both: a) set aside the necessary time to cover the subject matter that needs to be taught each day, and b) still enable free-time and creative play, so that homeschooling does not become a straight (like in the public school system).
If your child went to a day care, school or even a summer camp, those places will likely have a strict daily routine. Lunch time, recess and other activities would be planned throughout the day. As homeschoolers, we have a daily routine with designated times for school work, screen time, and snack times, (etc). However, we are also flexible and make changes as other priorities arise. We have it posted on the wall so our children know what to expect and are able to stay on task.
Notable events when organizing your calendar
Our family has a calendar on our computer to manage appointments and activities. It is easy to see everything and edit if needed. We talk about plans with our children to give our children adequate notice so they can be dressed appropriately, help pack their water bottle and snacks, and help prepare for activities. A few of our children have chosen to have their own calendar in their room so they can see our plans.
I have a spreadsheet like the one pictured below to keep track of annual events and activities. Home maintenance, drivers license renewal, the parade that happens each year, birthdays etc for example should be prioritized.
August | September | October | November | December |
First day of school- Aug 28 | Labor day- Sep 2 | Eye checkup | Thanksgiving- Nov 27 | Christmas day-Dec 25 |
Farm day | Harvest festival | B-day- Nov 8 | Live Nativity show at farm | |
Plan Birthday party | Election day | New Years Eve Dec. 31st. |
Vacation
Generally, Homeschoolers do not go on vacation during the summer months or during school breaks. Traveling off season will save you money on flights and hotels. Resorts and theme parks are less crowded with little or no lines for attractions in the off-season.
Homeschooling year round vs. following a school calendar
Would you rather follow the traditional school calendar or homeschool year round. There are benefits to both. Do what is best for your family.
Create margin in your life
We live in a culture that embraces busy-ness. As homeschoolers, we have the freedom and flexibility to avoid the "rat race". We can have a "Lazy Tuesday" if we want. It helps to have few commitments so we have margin in our life for other important things. If a friend invited you to a party or you learned about a volunteer opportunity, would you be able to participate, or would you be "busy"? If the refrigerator broke, would you have time to appropriately handle the situation? Here is a news segment of how over busy children are: link.
Familiarize yourself with your local school district's calendar
When there is a school vacation, local businesses might offer activities. For example, the local ice skating rink might have public skating and the local art school may have art classes available. This is also a good time to meet-up with friends who attend public school. When school is out, you may want to avoid any public places like museums, zoos and your vacation plans because they will be be crowded.
Consider adding these to your daily schedule.
Current commitments and priorities
If your child naps or attends a weekly art class or sports, your other activities may be scheduled around those.
Appointments
The dentist, doctor appointments, and haircuts (or others) all take time. What time during the day would the ideal time be for those? One benefit in homeschooling is that you can schedule them during the weekday. For example, the hair salon is not as busy and you have more selection of availably vs. going on the weekend or evening
Wake up time and the morning routine
As homeschoolers, your children do not have a bus to catch; however, you might have decide to have a designated time where everyone is out of bed and getting started with their day. Would you have them get dressed or is it ok to be in PJs during the day? Its up to you.
Meals and snacks
Having designated times for meals and snack times prevents children from "grazing" and eating throughout the day.
School work
One of the ways our children are able to stay on task doing their school work is by having designated times for it. One of the benefits of homeschooling is that you chose when school time is. Your child might do better sitting down for math at 7 pm, 10 am or when Dad is home on the weekends. We keep track of school work completed and attendance using a teachers planner as a diary, which is also a legal requirement in nearly every state.
Quiet time and self care
Our children do not take naps but we still have a designated "quiet time" after lunch for them to do something quietly by themselves. We provide them with books and activities if they wish. Adults need that time too. This is a good time to text a friend, read a book or catch up on laundry. We invite you to read our article about other self care tips.
Devices and screen time
We limit screen time in our home by having designated times for when they can watch TV or take out their video games. The children are old enough to know when the time is up, to put it away and it's time to do something else.
Play time and recess
Having time for children to ride their bikes, play with the dolls, care for their pets or play a board game with each other is important.
Chores
Cleaning the kitchen, doing laundry, vacuuming the living room, and preparing meals all take time. It is helpful to have an idea or plan of when these tasks would be completed. Our children also have designated chore time for them to complete age-appropriate chores.
Errands
Shopping for kids clothes, grocery shopping, and Amazon returns all take time. When would those happen?
Friends
Texting friends, meeting up for coffee or a playdate and RSVPing for a party invite are also important.
Bed time, lights out
Children need a scheduled time for bed time. Us parents do too.
Make time for your spouse
Having time and energy to connect at the end of the day is important. Also, having regular date nights to go to a restarunt, see a show or go on a shopping trip are important as well. If your husband works evenings, you may connect for a day night "lunch". We invite you to read our article about the benefits of having a babysitter or nanny.
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