Life is an adventure. Each family goes through life with their own successes and struggles. Our family has chosen to homeschool our children, after much prayer and petition. This works for us. It is hard. It is worth it. Did I mention it is hard?
Choosing to homeschool my three active boys is an adventure. Learning to be flexible, patient (which I am not), and organized with all the daily tasks we have as a Mom and then adding in teaching… is an adjustment. Finding time to fit in fitness during our busy homeschool day is also an added adjustment.
Finishing out this month we are really having to buckle down and focus on finishing the school year strong. Like most families (of young children) this time of year is hard to really focus on school work when all we (I!?) want to do is go outside and play.
Our homeschooling day is filled with learning through play. We do our lessons and take breaks often. If we can do school outside or on the go, we do!
You can find them doing math while playing with their cars (dividing them evenly between each other). They might even create patterns with their cars or learn social skills while playing with them.
We love and use our trampoline for many uses beyond bouncing the wiggles away. My youngest often practices his writing: letter and number identification, shapes and imaginative drawing using sidewalk chalk on the trampoline.
Having the boys do separate school work, independently, is also a must. While one is on the trampoline with me (above), another is on the computer doing his Lexia or Odyssey school program.
Enjoying the sunshine and gorgeous spring weather, I try to encourage the boys to use the world as their classroom. Breaking out of the traditional desk or table and going outside to fuel their creative juices. My oldest is doing his journal prompt outside (while I am nearby with T).
Of course there is exercise and outdoor fun. I love being active, and love that my boys enjoy joining me for exploration and adventure fun! We always make sure to take at least 30 minutes for our P.E. for exercise and movement. Whether we are moving and playing at our neighborhood park or on the trail we are moving. Bike riding has been their favorite fitness activity as of late.
Finding time to fit in fitness during our busy day takes planning, communication, and sacrifice.
Something has to be dropped in order for the fun to happen. Truth be told, often times it is household chores: dusting, laundry, bathrooms, etc. Or even gasp a shower for Mom.
There will always be housework … but making memories with my little guys is more important. Teaching them the value of hard work and play. The importance and how good they feel when they get fresh air and exercise. That is important to me.
My life as a homeschooling mom is busy. Finding time to fit in fitness is a juggle… but we make it work.
Wow I can’t imagine having had the patience to home school my kids! It takes a special kind of mom for that and I don’t think it’s me-LOL. It was hard to fit in workouts when they were young. I took them to the gym which had child care.
I think as a mom everything becomes a juggling act: family, household, fitness, self-care, alone time, marriage, etc. 🙂 I am a SAHM and struggle to fit it all in… I can not imagine how much more of a challenge it is for those working mothers! 🙂
Kudos to being able to homeschool, I am not sure I would have the patience or organization. I like to go on hikes with my kids and now that they can both ride their bikes on the gravel roads we do that a couple of times a week too.
I struggle with patience and organization too… I LOVE to organize but with three little people it is hard to stay on top of things. 🙂
Aren’t family bike rides fun 🙂 Yay for you enjoying that with your family! 🙂
Wow, I’m a teacher and, even still, I don’t think I have enough patience to do what you do! I commend you! 🙂
Thanks. I was a classroom teacher BEFORE having kids… and I HONESTLY think teaching 25 little people is SO MUCH easier than teaching MY OWN children in my home. Separating the MOMMY hat and the TEACHER hat is such a struggle. But for now… this is what I feel our calling is. Who knows what the future will hold.
I cannot imagine doing all that you do but it is amazing that you do it!
Thank you. 🙂
I admire how you make it all work! I know that I could never home school my daughter- in part because of our personalities and also because as an only child, she needs the extra socialization that school provides but I am always envious of the travel flexibility that home school families have to make the world their classroom.
Thank you. Yes, honestly, there are some days when I feel that I *can’t* homeschool my children too. <3
The flexibility of on the go learning "field trips" are always fun and an added perk to our homeschool life. 🙂
I have a respect for home schooling. I have lots of friends who do it & am impressed how well their kids are & how well it works for their family.
FYI – you probably already done it, but I sent an award your way on my blog 🙂 Fun little game
Thank you! 🙂
For you to have time and capability for home schooling with your children, it means you MUST be well meaning parent. I have been doing home schooling for my children foe the past 3 years. I realized that they perform better than when i was just depending on school teaching alone. Everybody should try it.
I homeschool my 2 boys and am a fitness coach. It is a LOT of work but SO worth it. Some days are a super struggle and the others just seem to flow. I latch onto the memories of the easy days when the hard ones strike. Congrats to you on your homeschool success!
Hi. Thanks for affirming my homeschooling and fitness juggle. Love “meeting” other homeschooling mamas who are in to fitness. 🙂