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A little about myself and my kids. My kids have never been to school. They are now 18, 13, and 12. It does get easier as the kids get older and toys do not magically end up on the floor moments after you put them away (I am thankful to Toy Story for explaining that mystery)

Something has to give! Homeschooling is a full time job, as is motherhood. If you have to chose between playing a game and sweeping the floor…..chose the game. My oldest is 18 and talking about moving out with a friend. Trust me they grow up too fast. My grandma (95) says “you will ALWAYS have laundry, dishes and something to clean. You will NOT always have kids to raise.”

I have been homeschooling for a long time now. And I can tell you that NO homeschooling and housework do not go easily together. You can slack on housework or education.

If you can afford help get it! Most of us cant and those who can should NOT be ashamed of it. Just realize that we have more important things to worry about.

Now I hope that has all made sense. I have been up since 2 am with sick kids and I am taking my self to my unmade bed that probably has a pile of clothes that needs to be folded and I am going to try and sleep.

The beauty of homeschooling is doing what works for your family. We are a late morning crew, not starting “real” school work until 10 or 10:30. Breakfast, devotions, and chores all happen before then, and that’s what works here. Because of juggling the little guys, much of our school work is done between 3 and 5 p.m. Unconventional, but it works for us, so who cares?

Carmen- Yes! You’re right!

I do have a question though. I read on one large-family mom blog that they do not start school (seat work) till the house is fully tidy and passes her inspection. A tidy home was the foundation of her day. When I embraced this, our days began going a million times better. Before, I was stuck on the idea that I had to start school at the crack of dawn “like everyone else” (i.e. public schools), while the house fell apart around us.

But what is a reasonable time to begin seat work after morning chore time? My children are all fairly small, I cook a hot breakfast every morning, and we are blessed that husband’s job does not require him to leave too early. Adding those things together, sometimes we don’t begin school until what I consider “late” (9 or later). I feel kind of guilty, like I should be starting earlier, but if I start earlier then the house is trashed, even if I get up early. Any tips?

Or second child was premature by 6 weeks, and our first born is as I call it the tornado (yes she is a girls but she makes as much noise and mess as any boys~ maybe she is spending too much time with her 5 young uncles!!! My husband comes from a family of 12)

Anywho, you guess it! I try to get thing as clean as possible but with having our inlaws living 5 minute walk from here I have more then our 2 kids to pick up after (not that it’s bad I love having them over!!!) But my house is not PERFECT!!!

My dear husband knowing that my pregnancies are a concern health wise limits me to certain house chores and hires someone to come once a week to help out.

It’s a real blessing, and yes at first I was ashamed to have people over when our hired help was here!

What would they be thinking?!!! They will think I’m lazy etc… But as I read Prov31 I’ve notice that she has servant (or hired help) and that she was not alone trying to be a super women!!!

Thanks for sharing this post with all of us!