10 Steps to planning a great school year!

Ok, so you've had your mom and me meetings with your cute little kiddos... now it's time for MOM Planning!

And before we get into it all, I need to put a big old disclaimer in here. If this is your first year of homeschooling, start SLOW. Don't try to duplicate what school at school looks like. Everybody will hate it. Don't go buy school desks. It's a waste of money. Most of our school time happens either at the kitchen table, snuggled up on the couch, or another creative place the kids feel comfortable.

Also, it doesn't take the same amount of time to teach your kids at home as they spent at school every day. Not even close. Plan to start with one or two subjects for the first month or more. You don't have to and shouldn't try to do all the subjects all the time. Also, if your kids have already been in school, they will probably need some adjustment time (often referred to as detox time). Spend time (we're talking weeks or a month), reading books they enjoy, going to museums and parks, cooking together, playing games as a family, doing art projects, etc..

And my biggest advice. Limit electronics. No really. It will make the biggest difference. This includes for yourself. When it's learning time, just turn it off and put it away so your brain can focus on being present with your kids. I'm struggling with this myself. No judgement. Just some advice from a mom who understands.

I know not everybody has a brain like me... but I can be easily distracted by all of the different things going on, and all of the interruptions that happen throughout the day.

Because of this aspect of myself, I like my "mom planning" time to happen on a day when either the kids are away from home or I am! I like to have a full day to sit and think and pray and listen. That's how my brain works best. But some years, that just isn't possible and I've had to plan in the little chunks of time... or sometimes (often), late at night when the kids were in bed. So don't get too caught up on finding a day if that doesn't work with your life. These are all just suggestions from my past 10+ years of homeschooling.

Before my planning day comes, I make sure I'm prepared with my planners, pens, scriptures, notebooks, computer & charger, sometimes some curriculum or books to look through, water, meals, etc... I treat it like a little planning retreat for myself.

When that day comes and I'm all set, I start with a prayer for guidance (and often just keep on praying throughout the day). I have my notebook ready and usually have pages for our family as a whole, each child, one for me, and one for my marriage. My mind tends to bounce around, so if a thought comes, I can go to the appropriate page and jot it down so I don't forget it.

I think about the vision I have for our family long term and for the current school year. What habits need to be learned or fine-tuned? What skills need to be taught? What needs to happen to help things run more smoothly? What relationships need to be strengthened?

For each child, I dive a little deeper, and referencing the notes I took during the "mom and me meeting", I think through their learning year. I think about their current level of proficiency and what they'll need for math & language arts. I think about what we can study as a family as far as science, history & art go. I consider what each child needs for music, electives, etc....I look over what classes they're taking at our commonwealth school. I search for curriculums, classes, supplies, make notes of what I need to purchase if I can't do it right then...

But I also think about their heart and their spirit. What do they need to learn spiritually? Character-wise? What books, music, or art might touch their heart and help them understand truth better? How can I support them in the their own special talents? What are they doing really well at that I can recognize and acknowledge more?

I think about what skills each child needs to master. Especially for older kids & teens. I've noticed that time goes by so fast... there are so many things to take up our time and our kids' time. So many activities we can enroll them in. It's easy to over-schedule them because of the worry that they might miss out on something. I've realized it's better to slow down. Simplify. I've seen so many young people grow up, graduate, and then realize they don't know how make a proper meal or do a lot of things that in the past, most people would have at least been familiar with if not have mastered... think budgeting, meal planning, grocery shopping, cooking, & cleaning. Add to that list house and car maintenance, yard care, making appointments, paying bills, etc... We haven't been perfect at this, even though we were aware of it and have tried to do it with our kids. But we keep trying... Life skills can and should be part of a yearly learning plan!

I get out a weekly and monthly planner and jot down the different classes and activities that the kids, me, or my husband are involved in. Then I decide what the days and weeks are going to look like... or what I'm hoping they'll look like. It has changed over time. Do I have a baby that needs to nap in the afternoon? That might be the best time for one-on-one learning (language arts and math for younger kids). Do I have older kids that can mentor younger kids? Is Dad available to help out after work? (Dad time? Yes, please!) When can we do family reading time? Personal reading time? Will a rotation schedule work best this year (where the kids rotate between working one-on-one with me, practicing piano, doing math, handwriting, free time, etc...)?

We usually have some learning time together at some point (in the morning, or after lunch when the littles are napping). This is a great time for memorizing things together, learning songs, doing some history or art... even science.

I do my best to guess what's going to work. And then I'm prepared for the need to adjust if (when) necessary. I try to schedule about 6 weeks on, then 1-2 weeks off. Off weeks are for family trips, appointments, family projects, dejunking... basically getting things back in order.

(okay, to be honest, I'm laughing right now... because things never work out as nicely as I plan them out... but I promise, planning helps. Just don't get too bent out of shape when the plan gets thrown out the window)...

I also think through what I need for the school year. And actually, I should probably suggest doing this first.

I remember sitting in the kitchen as a teenager and telling my mom that when she was unhappy, everybody was unhappy.

Pretty bold, looking back. But wise words from my teenage self. I wish I could have remembered them and acted accordingly, but no. I've had my own journey of unhappy days as a mom that affected the atmosphere of my home. But I've learned from those days and have realized that I need to schedule time for myself. I need to allow myself to do things that I enjoy and not feel guilty about them. Do I want a date with my husband? Well, I probably need to plan it then. Do I want to take a few days and go away with friends on a quilting retreat? Guess what? It's probably a great idea for both me and the family. I get my bucket filled up and the kids have some epic days with their dad in charge.

Do I want to pick up an old hobby, learn a new skill, get in better shape, train for a race? Am I eating well and taking good nutritional supplements? This has made one of the biggest differences in my physical and mental health.

Putting yourself on the list isn't selfish, it's vital. These things are just as important as anything else!

What do YOU need this year or semester, Mom? I'd suggest a day every 4-6 weeks for regrouping and reviewing learning plans. I'd suggest a night with friends that lift you once a month. I'll be writing about that a little later. I'd suggest a mom's retreat away once a year for a night or two. And last but not least... I'd highly recommend getting away with your husband for at least one night. Ideally at least two. No kids allowed. Rekindle your friendship and your romantic relationship. It's amazing what a couple of nights away (or more) can do for a marriage. Here are me and Matt, well rested after our anniversary cruise to Alaska last fall. It's about time for another get-away (please?? Traveling is my favorite).

Please remember that the most important ingredient in a successful homeschool is a happy mother and father. Actually, that applies to home in general. Make sure you're taking care of yourself...put on your oxygen mask first, mama. Or nobody's going to enjoy the flight.

To re-cap:

1) If possible, schedule a day away from the kids to plan.

2) Prepare what you'll need for the day with supplies, food, etc...

3) Start with a prayer to invite the spirit to help you plan.

4) Consider your vision for family and your homeschool year.

5) Plan out what your family will be learning together (History, Art, Science, etc..)

6) Plan out each child's individual learning plans. Academic and spiritual. Don't forget to think about life skills they need to learn

7) Put the classes and activities on the calendar and make sure you aren't over-scheduling your child or yourself.

8) Plan out what you want your days and weeks to look like for learning time.

9) Make sure you schedule in times during the week and days during the semester for yourself and your marriage.

10) Look over everything and see if it all feels correct. Make adjustments.

I'm excited for you and your family! It's a crazy time right now, but this can be an amazing year. Plan for your plans to not go perfectly, and you'll be a lot happier!

You can do it, Mama!

~Angie