Homeschooling From a Full Time Working Mum… How To Survive!
Well, this is different! Being a fulltime working mum, homeschooling wasn’t something I had planned for and if you’re here reading this, I doubt you did either? But here I am and I’m trying my best to keep some normality as much as I can considering what’s going on in the world right now.
I have two children, one of Primary School age and one in Secondary School, my challenge is to keep them entertained and somewhat educated while I work full time, from home (mostly).
Keep To A School Day Routine
To keep disruption to a minimum and help keep the kids focussed on their schoolwork, try sticking to a school day routine as much as you can.
We are starting school at 9am each school day, and I‘ve found a fantastic YouTube channel ‘The Body Coach’ who are streaming live PE videos each school day. Take a look here – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAxW1XT0iEJo0TYlRfn6rYQ
What better way to keep the kids active and get them ready for learning? If you want to know why exercising in the morning is so beneficial, this is a useful read: https://www.myactivesg.com/read/2018/2/6-reasons-why-morning-exercise-is-important-for-your-health
Scheduling The Kids Day
Most schools have provided a good number of online resources, so why not structure your learning day/week into a school timetable. Evidence shows that children do best when they can follow a routine, this will also make it easier for you to keep on top of things.
| MONDAY | TUESDAY | WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY | |
| 09.00 – 09.30 | PE | PE | PE | PE |
| 09.30 – 10.15 | MATHS | MATHS | MATHS | MATHS |
| 10.15 – 10.30 | BREAK | BREAK | BREAK | BREAK |
| 10.30 – 11.45 | ENGLISH | ENGLISH | ENGLISH | ENGLISH |
| 11.45 – 13.00 | ART/CRAFT | ART/CRAFT | ART/CRAFT | ART/CRAFT |
Shhhh… I’m thinking of doing the Science bit at the weekend so I can have some fun too!
Don’t forget, it’s also important to allow time for the kids to have fun and to entertain themselves, all work and no play is going to make this a long journey and well, we’ve got work to do too.
If you are looking for more inspiration from an education point of view, below are some other links to a wide range of websites with homeschooling ideas.
https://www.homeschooling-ideas.com/home-school-ideas.html
https://www.homeschool-activities.com/
https://www.theschoolrun.com/home-education-step-by-step
Ways to Keep Your Kids Entertained
Are you looking for ways to entertain the kids that isn’t YouTube or computer games?
Make the most of your garden or outside space, we all need some fresh air and sunshine, yes, it is out as I sit here writing this, stuck in the office and looking out of the window. As we all need a bit of a break from work and learning, I thought I’d also share a range of websites with ideas for fun things to do, so here you are:
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/craft-ideas/how-to/g1389/diy-kids-activities/
https://www.toucanbox.com/activities/fun-things-to-do-at-home-with-your-kids
https://www.itsalwaysautumn.com/best-indoor-kid-crafts-activities.html
https://www.verywellfamily.com/absolutely-free-activities-for-kids-2997490
http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/gardening_with_children/
https://www.rhs.org.uk/education-learning/gardening-children-schools/family-activities/Activities
YouTube Channels:
- Crash Course Kids
- Science Channel
- SciShow Kids
- National Geographic Kids
- Free School
- Geography Focus
- TheBrainScoop
- SciShow
- Kids Learning Tube
- Geeek Gurl Diaries
- Mike Likes Science
- Science Max
- SoulPancake
This isn’t going to be easy by any means, I’ve already needed to remind my kids that this isn’t a holiday but hopefully, this will help keep you sane that little bit longer and at least give you some ideas to help you through it.
My Own Personal Favourites;
- Home economics – Teach them how to make a cup of tea, for me of course, as I’m busy working!
- Science – How washing up liquid removes grease from the saucepan and other cooking utensils
- Mechanical Engineering – How to operate a hoover, the kids always think it’s a hard job!
Written by Vicky, Commercial Marketing Manager and Full Time Mum
