The following is a guest post written by Donna Ashton of The Waldorf Connection.
We are eight years into homeschooling and having “tweens” is a bit different than when I was schooling seven-year-olds.
Also, running a business from home definitely has its challenges and rewards.
We are not perfect, but we get to what needs to be done, most of time. I have an established rhythm/schedule to our days so things ebb and flow nicely now.
Here’s my life today.
8 a.m. — It’s rainy and dark so we all slept in. Hubby works from home some days, but today is off visiting customers.
9 a.m. — Handwork. We all started crocheting beanie hats last week. This has been so much fun! We each did a round before I started breakfast. When it is not raining we take a morning walk before school. Instead, I made cheddar muffins and one of the girls unloaded the dishwasher.
10:30 a.m. — Circle & Lessons. Our circle has become less sing-songy and more mental math, word problems, music practice and yoga. We still say our opening verse and light our candle most days. Today the girls wrote story summaries in their main lesson books and worked on fractions.
Lunch: They ran off to play while I prepared lunch. I also checked email, put laundry in the dryer and gave my elderly dog eye drops. Not glamorous, but needed.
1 p.m.- 3 p.m. — Work time for Mom. This is my dedicated (mostly) time to work on my business.
Today, I will drop the girls at our local library for “Homeschool Bookworm Club.” Another benefit of older children is being able to drop them off at activities in the afternoon. They love the librarian and get to check out some cool new books.
4 p.m. — Back Together: This is our afternoon in-breath activity.
Sometimes we paint, or maybe run errands. Reading has become a favorite pastime for Brooke. This is her reading chair and don’t even try to sit in it. She usually has two or three books going at once.
Lily practices her cello in our school room. We actually use this as our “craft room/school room” and we love it. It’s the busiest room in the house.
6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. — Dinner & Bedtime. I like to eat by 6:30 so we have time for Family Time. We play cards, music, games or take a walk. It is such a great time connecting all together after a busy day.
The bedtime ritual has evolved to them snuggling into bed around 8:00 and then reading quietly until lights out at 8:30 p.m. Then, it is free time for me to read a book, do more work or watch a movie with my husband.
By having an in and out rhythm, it breaks up large chunks of sitting still for hours or running and playing so long that they won’t come back down to relax. It helps me as mom connect with them for a little while, then I get some time to do what I need to do.
Two days a week we have music lessons/library and homeschool co-op in the afternoons, but the remaining days I try to be home to keep a balance.
We may have dirty dishes in the sink, but we connect and share our lives and schooling each day.
Interested in learning more about Waldorf homeschooling?
Donna has recently released an educational guidebook that specifically caters to the homeschooling family.
The Waldorf Home School Handbook is a simple step-by-step guide to creating and understanding a Waldorf-inspired homeschool plan.
This comprehensive 122 page manual guides parents through the Waldorf method and reveals how to educate their children in a nurturing and creative environment.
Find Donna’s book at her website or through Audrey Press.
A Day in the Life of a Waldorf Kindergarten
What a wonderful day.
Blessings, Dawn
I love the creativity! I’d love to incorporate more handwork into our day. I’m looking for a good sewing machine so the girls and I can learn to make clothes. I’d also love to learn to crochet and knit.
Shelly’s latest post: Weekend Review- Still Learning to Let Go
Shelly,
My girls love handwork and have recently taken over my sewing machine 😉
Donna
I’m new to home school and have enjoyed seeing how other moms schedule their school hours ! Thanks!!!
Paris,
Good luck with your journey! It is totally do-able. 🙂
Donna
Donna’s latest post: Waldorf with little ones
I love how relaxed your day is. That is what I am wanting in my homeschool.
Jennifer,
It’s all in the rhythm. That is truly the key.
Donna
Your girls are beautiful! Love the flow of your days and the bond that it creates.
What would you say to someone who loves the Waldorf philosophy but who’s son is wanting more in math? I try not to push at this age (my son is almost 6) but he knows many multiplication problems and wants me to challenge him with more! I certainly don’t want to hold him back, but I’m not sure how to move forward. Thanks!
Mary,
Well, your son is very young to be doing multiplication according to Steiner’s
philosophy. That being said, it is hard to curb a child’s enthusiasm. Perhaps you could use math games? there is a great book Games for Math. Try to get his body into movement in relation to math. You want to be numbers something that he feels, not just memorizes. 🙂
Donna
Donna’s latest post: Waldorf with little ones
Thanks, I’ll check it out!
Donna,
I am so blown away! Yes you have an extremely full day, but yet you seem to keep things flowing and on track! I am so impressed. I have two daughters as well and they go to public school, but we’re not as organized as you are. You have given me inspiration and some great ideas! thanks for a really great post, I loved reading it!
Glad I could be inspiring for you! Just know that my days are not “perfect” by anymeans. 😉
Donna
Donna’s latest post: Waldorf with little ones
Enjoyed the insight! Just wondering, when do the girls get academic work done? Do you do that on alternate days perhaps? Are they planning on pursuing tertiary studies (or maybe they are leaning more towards arts or music or home making which don’t require entrance exams )? So many ways to live a great life! Best
I have home schooled my two old daughters 32 and 21. My youngest is 9 and a boy. I couldn’t handle him. We fought all the time. So i put him in school. Now we have to deal with the STAR test. He is A-B Honor Roll seance 1st grade. The teacher says that if he doesn’t pass the STAR he will be held back a year. I’m 51 and going to college. Do i home school again? Do i put him in our church school. My husband is 60 and ready to retire. Its my time. I confused. Help please.
I *love* the idea of in-breaths and out-breaths. Beautiful.
I noticed the Learnwell Home Education Collective was added to your Lifelong Learning Tools list. Have you used it? I submitted the questionaire and the results for suggested curriculum were intriguing. I love the Waldorf/Unschooling philosophy but we are avid history lovers, Story of the World, in particular. I am just looking for reviews or thoughts on Learnwell. Thank you