I’ve often been asked how I manage to homeschool two girls, blog five days a week, and do the housework and other things required of a wife and mom. (Some days I wonder that myself!) So I thought I’d think about what does work and try to share it with you.
Find a routine.
With school starting up again this month, we’ve been settling into a new routine of programs, schoolwork, and playtime / Mommy time. Most mornings, we get up and have breakfast, and then I pop onto the computer for 15-30 minutes to promote my day’s post and check email for anything I need to respond to later in the day. Then we sit down to do school together. When the girls are on a break from school, I’ll do some housework or get back on the computer to answer email or do social media.
Use planners.
I find it helpful to have a big picture and a checklist, so I use a planner for both my blogging and homeschooling. I try to lay out the homeschool week on Sunday or Monday, so that each morning I can pull out the planner and see at a glance what we’re trying to accomplish that day. This keeps us on track, as I can check off each subject and make sure that we’ve covered everything each day.
Similarly, when I sit down to blog, I can glance quickly at my planner and see what reviews or sponsored posts I need to work on and promote, or what idea I’m going to write about. That way I’m more productive with the time that I do have to write while the girls are playing.
(I’ve thought about starting a housework planner as well to keep track of stuff like cleaning, grocery shopping, etc, but haven’t done that yet!).
Be flexible.
I think the most important part of being a work-at-home mom is being flexible. I don’t have a schedule that’s set in stone. Some days, the girls play Mega Blocks or Hot Wheels all day and I just need to feed them when they get hungry and I can get lots of blogging done. Other days, we have lots of errands to run or school takes longer or something else comes up, and the blogging doesn’t happen. I try to write my blog posts at least 2-3 days ahead of time so that if family things comes up, I can ignore the computer for a day. At the same time, if the girls are busy with their own play, then I take advantage of that time to get some extra writing done.
That’s what works for me as a WAHM. What works for you? I’d love to hear about it! This post is the start of a new series, WAHM Wednesdays, in which work-at-home moms share how they do it. If you’d like to contribute, email me at bway_writer at yahoo.ca. Or come back next Wednesday to hear from another WAHM!
11 Comments
Appreciate your tips. I’m fairly new to blogging and am trying to find my balance. We’ve been a homeschooling family for 26 years, so that is routine ;), but making time to blog, or remembering to blog is the issue. I’m trying to set aside 30 minutes a day. Do you write one blogpost a week?
Some great tips! I did struggle when I had kids home to find the time to write. But I would just cut back on blogging when my balance was off and focus on my children.
Now with them off to school I struggle with the silence….
Tammy – I agree! I sometimes wish I had more time to write without the kids, but then if they are out for the day with Daddy or doing something else, I find it too quiet too. 🙂 I like the fact that blogging is flexible so I can work it around them.
Great tips! I definitely need to start using a planner. I have really fallen off the tracks lately and I’m trying to get back on schedule. These tips come at the perfect time for me.
Kelly – glad they could help! No time like the present to get back on schedule. Fall seems to help with that as other things are falling back into place… kids’ programs and school and other regular events. 🙂 Good luck!
I’ve done various online checklists and apps, but I’m thinking I need a real paper planner, like you suggest in your post. Routine is key for me. I get sidetracked and then I get overwhelmed with how much I have on my plate, and that’s without even adding homeschooling into the mix.
Deanna – I find the planner helpful because I can look at it when the computer isn’t on, and make notes (like when a parcel arrives in the mail for review). Or it sits on my desk beside me for me to track things, instead of opening another program or window on the computer. 🙂
Thanks for the tips! I’m going to find this series EXTREMELY helpful. I work in the home as well as out and find balancing the two plus taking care of the kids and housework to be nearly impossible.
Amanda – it can be tough. I think it also depends on the ages of your kids. I’m finding a bit easier now that my oldest two are a bit older and can do more things for themselves. And they all play really well together, which helps. It was harder when they were both toddlers and needed more attention – but of course, at that stage, one of them napped, so I guess there’s trade-offs… I hope you figure out something that works for you!!! 🙂
These tips are so simple yet SO IMPORTANT. And easily taken for granted. On the days that I attempt to work without any of my basics (Just like you – schedule, routine, flexibility, and of course my checklists) – I am all over the place. NOTHING gets done. Having structure is actually freeing for me. Great post!
DeBalino – I agree that a structure is helpful. A rhythm to our days helps get everything accomplished. Both the girls and I know what to expect and everyone is happier. 🙂 I have days when I’m all over the place too but focusing on my planner and what needs to get done helps prevent that and makes me happier (which makes everyone else happier…). 🙂 Good luck!