Combining Homeschool with Housework

Project 365 – #095

One of the things that I quickly learned as a new homeschooler is that I can’t do it all. Seriously!  When we are living in a house pretty much 24/7, our home is not going to be as perfect as someone who works and has kiddos in school.  It’s just how it is.  We have craft projects and science projects around the house.  School books and supplies rarely seem to completely find their way back to the official school room because we have a habit of schooling all over the house.  That is our life, our reality.  It’s not to say that a very clean/organized house isn’t possible because I’ve seen families really make it work.  It just means that for us, it’s not happening.

Why do I tell you all of this?  Well, basically because I want it known upfront that I’m not the best person to ask for advice on how to balance homeschool and household tasks.  I can only say what works for us.  Even then, it may not always work for us.  Just sayin’.

Housework and homemaking aren’t necessarily independent from homeschooling.  In fact, I would say that they are actually part of homeschooling.  To be successful in life, our kiddos need to have not only academic skills, but also social and life skills (such as taking care of a house).  That means that learning to cook, clean, and run a household is part of homeschooling.  Very few homeschools have home economics classes these days as they are seen as extras.  I would argue that they are not extras, but rather, they are essentials.

What was I talking about again?  Oh right, combining homeschool and housework – aka getting it all done.

Teach Our Kids How to Clean

First, we need to teach our kids how to do the tasks that we assign.  Usually, this involves step-by-step instructions with careful supervision until they really understand the task.  We need to make sure that we’re encouraging them and helping them to do it right.  We shouldn’t be demanding perfection as that will be self-defeating.

Make Homemaking Part of Our Homeschool

Second, we need to incorporate homemaking into our schooling as much as possible.  Homemaking is not just for girls.  On the contrary, everyone should know how to clean the house, do the laundry, and make at least simple meals.  These are critical basic life skills.  Cooking/baking involves lots of math and science.  Doing the laundry and cleaning can also involve science and math.  Get a little creative with these tasks to make them more fun for the kids.  Make a volcano in your sink with baking soda and vinegar to clean your garbage disposal.  Have challenges to see who can get the task completed the fastest.

Get the Whole Family Involved

Third, get the whole family involved in cleaning.  Each person can get assigned certain chores or areas of the house.  Some tasks can be posted on a “help wanted” board which can allow the kids to earn a little extra money or maybe t.v./video game time.  Have a field day were everyone comes together and tackles really getting the house clean together.  This is one of those times when Munchkin wishes that she had siblings as she’d love to be able to share chores/responsibilities with someone. lol!

Life Happens ~ The Lord is my strength

There are times that no matter how organized you are with your homeschooling and homemaking your house will fall apart.  Life happens, and there is nothing you can do about it.  When momma gets sick, it’s pretty hard for the household to keep running like normal.  When you have to keep running back and forth to the doctor, it’s hard to keep on schedule.  Moving throws plans completely up in the air.  Life’s craziness comes in more forms than I could possibly write here.  Sometimes, it’s not even something bad – good things can throw every day life into a tailspin as well.

In times like those, you just do what you can to keep the house running.  You have everyone chip in at whatever level is possible.  You come together as a family and get things done.  Above all else, you don’t try to do it all in your own power.  You run to the Lord and ask for His help and strength.

Homemaking and homeschooling don’t have to be two different areas in our lives.  They tend to mesh together more than we realize.  They both involve teaching and training.  They both require guidance and discipline.  They both need patience and the Lord’s help.  In the end, we need to make choices about what things are most important to us on a day-to-day basis.  Based upon those choices, we can determine what our day will look like within our homes.

post is part of the TOS Crew Blog Cruise.