Do you wonder how to balance caring for the home, homeschooling, family, and caring for one’s self? This is a common issue for moms, in today's world. Many moms who do not homeschool struggle with these same issues of balancing caring for the home, family, work, and caring for one's self. Some are dealing with little children's messes. Some are dealing with big children's messes. Some are dealing with chronic illness, as well. Struggling for balance, having a clean home, being with family, and replenishing ourselves leave many moms overwhelmed.
You might ask, "Where can I find time to do it all?" Yes, you can do it all, just not all the time. All things that call for our attention are not of equal value. It is not about balancing. Balancing brings to mind things of the same weight. Finding the time requires us to prioritize.
Five Ways Homeschool Moms Can Prioritize and Find Time
1. Learn from the Example of Martha's Sister, Mary
In Luke 10, the story of Mary and Martha, Jesus said, "But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."
Martha's serving was not the issue. What had Mary chosen? She chose to prioritize time with Jesus. Mary sat at Jesus' feet and learned from Him while He was there to minister to them. Mary had chosen the good part, and we can too!
We do not have the same constraints that Mary and Martha had. They had precious moments to sit at his feet. We, on the other hand, can pray anytime. We choose our commitments and schedules, bedtimes, and wake-up times. He is available to us 24/7. If we have a computer, tablet, or cellphone, we can access scripture, anytime. Whether you arise early, as the Proverbs 31 woman did, to bring meat (spiritual nourishment) to your household, or take time during an afternoon quiet time, prioritize time with Jesus. As you do, you will find your heart is lifted, and strength and encouragement to help you through the day.
2. Tame the Digital Monster
When my children were young, social media did not yet exist. We had a computer and a TV on lock, but we rarely used them.
We can fake ourselves out on social media. We may plan to limit ourselves to two posts each day. Posting may lead to more engagement. Responding may distract us. We intended to only make two posts.
A simple way to find more time is to tame our social media use.
Keep a log of your social media posts and interactions, or check your Facebook Activity log for interactions. When was your first post? When was your last contact? What is your total? This can be very sobering.
If family time, homeschooling, or caring for the home is being bumped by social media time, it may need to be tamed. If good habits and good routines are lacking, one can work to develop them. Humans are creatures of habit. Those habits are either good or bad. Why not work on habits that help to create one's desired life? If one fails, one just needs to keep getting up and trying again. Taming screen use will help one find more time.
3. Establish Simple Routines
Waiting until something has to be done will leave you forever overwhelmed. It will seem like those things are an annoyance because they interrupt your life. But to work on those things early, such as meal prep and laundry will leave you with clean un-rumpled clothes when you need them. Meals will be served before you are starving and everyone goes crazy. Establishing simple routines is work at first, but once established I find more time.
4. Train-up Your Children
Having less, by thinning what we have, can be helpful. But there will still be frustration if you do not train your children to put things away. Training children to pick up and put away can diminish a lot of chaos. While it seems like a lot of effort to train them, once they are trained, you will find more time!
5. Set Some Personal Rules
Here are some that helped me:
- No checking email until after homeschooling.
- Turn off the social media notifications during the routines of the morning and homeschooling.
- Place the phone in the bedroom and lock the door. Children at home do not need it either.
- Give your children a 90-minute quiet time. Use some of that for connecting to other women online or on the phone.
- When talking to people face-to-face, turn off phone notifications. Leave the phone in a pocket or purse, and do not look at notifications.
- Leave screens away from the dining table and interact there.
- Shut off your phone ringer and notifications while you sleep.
Less is More!
There is less chaos because you prayerfully prioritize.
Less screen time means more time for living.
The home has less mess because your children are habit-trained to put things away.
You have less dinner-time craziness because you planned early. If we are smart Martha we plan ahead of time and you have more time to spend with family and guests.
There are fewer belongings to care for because you have streamlined and gotten rid of unneeded stuff.
Laundry is less struggle because you keep it in rotation, instead of letting laundry pile up
This means more time to homeschool and more time with the family.
You can do this!
Enjoy the journey!
Please share how you find the time?
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