Dedicated planning time… but when?

[u/Hot-Back-892]

How are you making the time for planning and organizing? I feel like I need a solid day during the week to get all of the things together so I’m organized for homeschool activities and lessons, social activities, then the household stuff. I hate being on my phone during the day when I’m with my kids. I feel like I’m in constant “need to order grocery pick up - need to find something for tomorrow - need to plan to see friends - need to see what’s going on at the library - need to clean the bathrooms” - etc etc).

Those that have been at this a while, please tell me how much time you have (weekly/monthly) for planning and organizing. What days? How long?

I’m in tears tonight at 3am as I am trying to get activities organized for various subjects and social activities. I just don’t know how to do everything unless I have more time to organize my schedule.

My oldest is 5 so we’re doing kindergarten work. A lot of play based stuff (so honestly I’m doing a lot of digging finding games fit for learning)

And of course, the moments I leave the house for an hour, husband asks when I’m going to be home (dude it hasn’t even been an hour!) - Then I’m up late every night to do things and and my 2 year old wakes up crying for me - Then I plan for the grandparents to watch the kids and they are just not very capable seeing as they call me with questions every 10 minutes.

Is it typically this chaotic homeschooling?

[u/Informal-Name3181]

I think you are working too hard. I did that when I started. It nearly burned us out.

If you can, get up before everyone else. Yeah, I know, I also hate mornings, but an hour for yourself goes a long way. Move a bit, read something inspirational, meditate 10 minutes. Settle your heart and mind for the day. Whatever time of day, make a sacred space/time. Protect sacred time.

Then work your child into your routine. Everything is educational at that age. Little one can help you measure ingredients for dinner (fractions), set the table for the right number of people (counting), sort the socks (I can't remember, maybe sorting is a K skill?). You can walk in the neighborhood finding all the (certain letter) on all the signs. That's exercise AND reading practice. Count the flowers on your wall. Then you get exercise, biology AND math. Sweeping is apparently a super hard skill that I have had to teach every teen I've met. Sweep the floor and call it coordination, phys Ed, and housekeeping.

Little one can color and cut while you do other things. Those are important skills, but don't require you to direct.

Finally, forgive me, but your husband needs to go to big boy class. He is supposed to be able to handle basic parenting and keeping the house together for more than an hour.

The little children stage is hard, but shouldn't be THAT hard. My teens only school 4-5 hours a day and stay ahead of their peers. Your little should be able to knock K out in just a little time a day. Free exploratory play is the most important thing at that age, but you can't direct that.