Ever wonder what homeschooling really looks like?
Let me paint you a picture.
We once lived in a 1,200 sq ft home—three bedrooms, two baths. There’s my husband, me, and our three boys: one in kindergarten, a two-and-a-half-year-old, and a newborn we welcomed in December. Our living room doubles as a playroom, with a giant 6 ft by 6 ft bookshelf. The first three shelves are stuffed with toys, the top two shelves with books and school supplies.
Our first year of homeschooling was…well, trial and error. Throw in a newborn, and suddenly I’m teaching kindergarten, keeping a toddler entertained, and caring for a baby. Did I mention chaos? Yeah. I had no idea what I was doing at first. I didn’t even know homeschool styles existed until after our first year. And when I did, I based our approach mostly on my learning style rather than my kids’. But hey, I was swimming in the deep end, so cut me some slack.
I had no idea what I was doing at first. I actually wrote about our messy, real-life homeschool journey in my book, where I share more tips, laughs, and lessons learned along the way. Find it Here.
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If you’re in a similar situation, you’re not alone. Here’s what a homeschool day could look like—not what it should. Because in homeschooling, there really is no “should.”
What Counts as School?
Learning happens everywhere. I’ve written about real-life learning that totally counts as school here.
Other fun ways to sneak in learning:
- Board games by subject (see my favorites here)
- TV shows that are educational (check the list here)
Yes, I said TV. And yes, I used to feel guilty about it. Now? I embrace it.
How to Schedule Multiple Kids at Once
It depends on their ages and learning needs. Older kids can usually work independently. Littles? Not so much—especially if you have “neuro-spicy” kids who need stimulation or body doubling.
Start with a group game to get everyone relaxed and engaged. Continue with to subjects that don’t require individual attention. Then move onto subjects that need one-on-one time.
For example, in our home:
- We might start with a geography game, which the kids love because they get to quiz me (and I usually win).
- Next, my oldest goes to his room to work quietly (he has APD so being alone really helps), my youngest heads to the dining room with his laptop, and my middle child stays in the “school room” with me sitting beside him for support.
The middle child often wants to see if I’ll answer his quizzes for him—my side-eye says it all.
Incorporating Babies and Toddlers
When our newborn was tiny, the pack-n-play lived in the living room. The baby slept there while my two-year-old played on the floor with toys, and my kindergartener and I worked at the coffee table.
Eventually, the two-year-old wanted to “do school” too, so I introduced coloring books. And yes, I leaned on TV sometimes—Team Umizoomi, Wallykazam, Super Why, Numberblocks. It felt like cheating, but it worked. Now that same youngest child is seven and better at math than I am and does it for fun (shudder).
Other options:
- Busy baskets for toddlers
- Nap time for subjects needing focus
- Flexible scheduling depending on kids’ attention spans
There are tons of ideas on Pinterest.
Materials and Space
You don’t need a dedicated classroom. Many homeschool in RVs, tiny apartments, or converted sheds.
Must-haves:
- Paper
- Pencils
- Printer (optional)
- Curriculum (whatever you’ve chosen)
Extras help, but aren’t necessary—shelves, carts, or special baskets work perfectly for supplies and make life easier, but anything works.
Handling Core Subjects
Honestly? However you want. Workbooks, online courses, YouTube videos—whatever works for your family. And here’s a little secret: you don’t have to do it all yourself. You can hire tutors, ask your partner for help, reach out to other homeschool moms, or join a co-op.
When we start homeschooling, there’s this pressure to do everything perfectly, like if we don’t, we’re failing our kids. Hogwash. I’m not particularly strong in any subject, and that’s okay. I can teach the basics, but if I get stuck? I get help.
Take science, for example. I know random facts—but teaching the same loops over and over? Snooze. Then my kids started asking about coding and tech…let’s just say tech and I are still working on our relationship. Enter a local STEAM-based co-op, and suddenly the stress melted away. Problem solved, and my kids got to dive into stuff I couldn’t teach. Win-win.
How Do Field Trips, Nature Walks, and Outings Fit Into the Day?
Yes! Say yes to the trips.
Field trips—where to start? Museums, science centers, parks…all of it counts. Your kids are learning whether they’re counting fossils, exploring exhibits, or just figuring out how to play nicely with other humans at the park. Nature walks? Don’t underestimate them. Give a kid a rock, and suddenly you’ve got a mini-geologist on your hands—or at least a pocket full of “treasures.” All of this is learning. And the best part? It’s organic.
Fitting them into your day is easier than you think. A little planning goes a long way:
- Check online for local spots
- Join Facebook groups and tag along on trips other families organize
- Turn family vacations into learning adventures
A couple of our favorites:
- Alaska vacation: From a city of 40,000 people to a tiny town with 1,000 locals. The boys learned how to “rough it” in the wilderness.
- Annual beach trip: We visited the local science center and marveled at Megalodon teeth, turtle shells, and more.
A little research and planning, and these experiences become seamless parts of your homeschool journey—fun for the kids and honestly, kind of a break for you too.
How Flexible Can Your Day Be?
- Strict schedule: Works for families who thrive on structure
- Routine: Subjects in a set order, but timing is flexible
- Rhythm: A checklist or flow of the day with wiggle breaks
In our home, we use a checklist. The boys see what needs to be done and complete their work in the order that works for them. Flexibility is the secret sauce.
Curious about how to create a homeschool routine that actually works? From flexible schedules to daily rhythms, I’ve shared practical tips, real-life examples, and strategies that make homeschooling smoother for families with multiple kids.
Check out my full blog post here: How To Create A Homeschool Routine That Actually Works
A Homeschool Day: Then vs. Now
Then:
When we first started, we tried to replicate public school at home—lesson plans, workbooks, schedules—the whole nine yards. We focused on the basics: letters, numbers, and reading. My kindergartener was already reading, even if it was just sight words, so we finished the basics quickly. Then came the baby. Suddenly, we had finished workbooks, a toddler running around, dishes in the sink, laundry not folded, a baby needing feeding… and a kindergartener learning mostly from Team Umizoomi. Chaos? Oh, yes. And guilt? Even more.
Now:
Things are calmer and more balanced. Our mornings start with breakfast, getting dressed, and a little active play or a game to kick off the day. Then the kids disperse to tackle online lessons independently, while I sit with my middle child for support (though he occasionally tries to get me to answer his questions for him—cue the eye roll). After online lessons, I work with each child one-on-one on spelling, reading, and math.
Quick Tips
- Start with a game to engage everyone
- Incorporate TV learning when needed
- Use nap time for focused work
- Flexible spaces work just fine
- Ask for help—tutors, co-ops, or partners
- Field trips and outings count as school
Homeschooling isn’t about perfection. It’s about making learning work for your family, in your space, at your pace. There’s no “right” way—just what works.
Before we move on with the series, I want to take a brief pause. Something has been weighing heavy on my heart, and I felt the need to share it. I’ve written about the quiet ways mothers can lose themselves while homeschooling—and how it’s possible to reclaim identity, passions, and creative space even in the midst of chaos. You will be able to read Motherhood Isn’t All You Are next week.
After this reflection, we’ll continue the series with the next post, How Many Hours Should Homeschool Take?, and then move on to practical strategies and guidance for your homeschooling journey.
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