Managing our home while homeschooling can often seem like an impossible task. It seems like we can either have a clean and organised home and do no school or we can have a successful homeschool day but leave the house looking like a tornado has run through it.
Is it really possible to have both?
Yes, and YES! You really can have a clean home and homeschool. They are not mutually exclusive.
But, of course, nothing of value comes easily. We will have to put in the work. However, it isn’t as difficult as we think it is. I know because I have been doing this since 2004.
About Me
In case you are new here, here’s a little bit of information about me.
I am first and foremost a Christ-follower and have been since 1994. I am married to Henson and we have seven living children here on earth and four angel babies. My oldest is 21 and my youngest 10.
We have been a homeschooling family since 2004. And by the grace of God, three of the children have graduated from our homeschool. The two oldest are currently in Year 1 of our local university while the third is waiting to be enlisted as part of our country’s requirement for male citizens and permanent residents, aged 18 and above, before he can start NUS in 2022, God-willing.
Henson is the founder of Archippus Awakening, a ministry that is dedicated to the awakening of the saints to know and fulfil their God-given kingdom assignments. Find out more at Archippus Awakening.
Oh and just in case you are not aware, we are born and bred native Singaporeans. Our grandparents came from China but we are second generation Singaporeans.
Before Children
Before becoming a full-time stay-at-home-mother, I worked in journalism, public relations and advertising.
I grew up not needing to lift a finger in my home because my mother did everything for my brother and I. We only had to focus on studying and getting good results.
So learning how to manage the home was a tough call but it was relatively easy when it was just my husband and me. Then I became a stay-at-home-mother. And then we started homeschooling.
I had to learn real fast and set in place systems and routines to make it all work without me dissolving into a puddle of tears daily.
If you want to know more about me, you can read My 4 Nevers
#Write28Day Challenge
In this 28-day series, as part of the #Write28Days Challenge, I will share 28 tips that will include mindset and attitude shifts as well as practical tips that will enable us to juggle homeschooling and housework without going mad.
I will draw upon my own experience of juggling homeschooling and housework since 2004.
We used to have a part-time helper come in once a week when we had three children, aged five and below, but due to certain circumstances, we stopped that by the time we started homeschooling.
And looking back, I am glad we did. Not only did we save money, it also made it necessary for the children to learn how to chip in and learn basic life skills early in their lives.
Pick What You Need
As you read this series, I hope that at least one or two tips will work for you or get you thinking out of the box.
Of course, I hope that all the tips will work for you but I am aware that our families and circumstances are very different and there is really no one-size-fits-all method.
So, pick what you need, adapt what I share and make it work for your family.
What Do You Need to Start?
Nothing.
You don’t need fancy gadgets and resources to do this. But you will need to have a willing heart and open mind.
See you tomorrow!
Related Links
If you want to know the Hows and Whys of our Homeschooling Journey, check out the posts.
Why Do We Homeschool?
How Do We Homeschool?
And if you are considering homeschooling, please read Considering Homeschooling? Here are 7 Things to Consider Before Homeschooling.