10 Productivity Hacks for Homeschool Moms
Having experienced different lifestyle as a mom, I truly understand some of the crazy moments in motherhood. I once was a working mom with endless hours, then became a mompreneur and a homeschool mom some years ago when my life took a big turn. It was time for a change, and I entered a completely different season of my life! I can honestly say that there are similar and different challenges a mom will face on any path we choose. But today, I am here to share about some productivity hacks for homeschool moms.
Being a homeschool mom is far from easy and unless you have a very good idea of how to manage your time, plan ahead, and find balance, things can get pretty crazy. To be productive, you need to stay motivated. Here are just a few ways to find the motivation you need to boost your productivity as a homeschool mom.
Get up Earlier
It can be very tempting to hit that snooze button especially as an exhausted mama but try not to do it. Try to get up before everyone else so you can have some time to yourself to; have a shower, drink a cup of hot chocolate or tea (or coffee of course,) catch up on emails, do yoga… or simply do nothing and be still. Even just a few minutes to gather your thoughts before the daily activities begins can make a huge difference in how you feel and set you up for a successful day! Take a look at my other post on “8 Daily Reminders for Parents to Start Your Day Off Strong” for an extra boost of motivation.
Get Ready for The Day
Life as a homeschool mom can sometimes leave you feeling like there’s no point in changing out of your pajamas and honestly, sometimes there really is no point. But if you’re feeling blah, sometimes just putting on a fresh, cute outfit and throwing some mascara on can you give you a boost! Try it at least once a week and see what it does for your morale! I do try to get myself and my kids ready even though I am working at home and they are homeschooling right outside my home office.
Prepare the Day Before
People always give working Moms advice on how to prepare in advance for the next day to save time and energy, but the same advice should be given to homeschool moms. Just because you are at home, doesn’t mean you can’t prepare for the next day. Lay out everyone’s clothes so they’re ready to be worn, prepare lunches so they’re ready to go the next day without much effort, pack a bag of essentials if you know you’ll be out of the house. It will help you feel in control of your day while saving you lots of time. I remember those mornings when I didn’t prepare for my day and how we rushed out missing my daughter’s lunchbox and my son missing a sweater that was a part of the school uniform (they used to attend a private school and a charter school.) Yes, we’ve tried different school system and am very happy with online homeschooling.
Find Opportunities throughout the day to Relax
Often times, we just go 200 miles an hour. Remember a little Self Love for Moms each day goes a long way. You would get breaks if you were working outside the home, right? The same should apply as a homeschool mom. Even if it doesn’t feel like it to you, you’re working your butt off everyday and you deserve time to relax – even if it’s just a few minutes here and there.
Set Nap Time or Quiet Time
Have a set schedule for nap time and even quiet time if you’re little one is done with naps. Setting aside that time everyday will not only be great for you to catch up on whatever it is you need to, but it’s also setting your child up for individual “Me” time. Even if your kids are older, set aside quiet times where they play or read quietly. They have to pick something that does not require running around or playing loudly. My kids choose to read their favorite books, work on their art creation, and even do yoga sometimes.
Teach Independent Play
You don’t need to play with your children all day. Letting them learn to play by themselves when Mommy needs to get some work done will help them use their imagination and be creative. This helps build confidence when they do accomplish something on their own. Not only that, it teaches them to appreciate what you do more. If we don’t teach them correctly, they will feel a sense of entitlement and not be thankful for what they have.
Make a Schedule
Some people are planners and are better at getting things done when they have a plan written down and set in place. If you think this is you – go ahead and schedule your day and see if it helps your productivity. I am a planner kind-a-girl and uses to do lists like crazy. It helps me to keep track of my productivity and time management. I value my time a lot and do not like it when I feel like I’ve wasted my hours away not completing any tasks I was set out to do.
Delegate Chores
Just because you’re a homeschool mom does not mean that you have to do everything all the time. If your kids are old enough, let them know what they can do to help you out. Get them to unload the dishwasher, show them how to do a load of laundry. This will not only teach them responsibility but will also take some things off your to-do list. Kids can handle more than you think at times, so delegate and guide them through their chores they are helping with as a member of the family.
Embrace The Chaos
Positivity is a choice!
Some Days will just be crazy. The house will be a mess, the laundry will be piled up, the dishes will need to be done and that’s ok. If it doesn’t get done today it will get done tomorrow. Allow for a bit of chaos and you will find yourself less stressed about it.
Ask For Help
Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Whether it’s from your partner, family or a close friend – never feel ashamed for feeling worn out and needing help with any part of Motherhood. Remember, it takes a village. Ask for help. My family stepped in to help me when I had two kids at baby and toddler age, and it helped me to get through the exhaustion and kept me balanced by having those extra support.
Enjoy your motherhood daily as they do grow quickly in a blink of an eye. In the meantime, use the above hacks to make each day a better day as a Mom.
Let me know if you’ve tried any of these hacks and how did it work for you? Maybe you have some hacks for homeschool moms that you would like to share with our community down below.
Cheers,
