Never let your schooling interrupt your education.

A Homeschool Day in the Life ~ January 2011 on Simple Homeschool

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Written by Jamie Martin, editor of Simple Homeschool and founder of Steady Mom

It’s a new year and that means time for new beginnings. It seems natural to reflect–setting goals for your family and thinking about your homeschool day. It can also feel a little scary if you’re not quite sure where you need to head or how you’re going to get there.

For new homeschoolers or those transitioning into a different phase with their kids, these reflections can be especially concerning. How do I know if I’m doing this right? How much school is “enough?” Can’t I just get a glimpse into what others do during their homeschool days?

Most of us feel this way from time to time–I know because you mentioned it back in October when I asked what type of content you’d like to see here on Simple Homeschool.

Several of you requested “day in the life” posts, and this month, that is just what you’ll be getting. Each of our contributors will be writing to share a peek inside their typical homeschooling day.

From mothers of young children all the way through to those with graduates (and all the ages in between), this January we’ll be providing plenty of practical goodness to give you ideas that will make a difference in the nitty-gritty of your own homeschool days.

This series is shaping up to be one of the best on Simple Homeschool thus far–I can’t wait to see what I’ll learn throughout the month, and I hope you’ll tune in each day as well.

Here’s to a fabulous year of homeschooling!

What part of your homeschool day could use a little mentoring at the moment? What part flows like clockwork?

About Jamie C. Martin

Jamie is an introverted mom of three, who loves books, tea, and people (not always in that order), and avoids answering the phone when possible. She co-founded SimpleHomeschool.net in 2010 and began IntrovertedMoms.com in 2020.

Jamie is the author of four books, including Give Your Child the World (reached #9 on Amazon's Top 100 Best Sellers list), and her latest release, Introverted Mom (an ECPA bestseller). Her work has been featured by LeVar Burton of Reading Rainbow, the Washington Post, Parents, Today Parenting, and Psychology Today.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Caroline

    Wow, this series sounds fantastic. I look forward to reading these posts. I’m so interested in homeschooling and am really just in the researching phase right now (no preschool-age kids yet). I’d love to hear, too, if any homeschooling parents out there also work part-time (at home, especially, but also elsewhere) and how they balance that with homeschooling.

    Thank you for all the practical advice you give here at Simple Homeschool.
    Caroline’s latest post: The Year Of

  3. Cari

    I love this idea! Before I started teaching my daughter from home I actually visited three different homes of three very different women I knew homeschooled and asked to see how each of them lived life in this regard. It was incredibly insightful, overwhelming, encouraging and ultimately empowering; I would say that cumulatively this was the thing that allowed me to muster the courage to take the plunge. Thanks for providing your readers with this inside view.
    Cari’s latest post: Wisdom From the Sea

    • Jamie

      Wow, I would have loved to have the opportunity to do that way back when, Cari. It would have been such an encouragement!

  4. Diana

    I love ‘day in the life’ stories! Even though we are in our 3rd year of homeschooling (has it really been that long?), I’m still learning and always tweaking how our days work. I often gain many ideas from other families, even if they are completely different from us!

    Looking forward to this series!

  5. Sharnee Torrents

    I’m sooo pleased that i’ve come across this blog, I’m sooo excited about what you’ll be sharing in Jan and appreciate that you’re going to take the time to give us some insight!!
    This is my 4th year of Homeschooling and I still constantly think about those points you raised! YAY! Look forward to it
    Smiles Sharnee 🙂

  7. Sarah Gainey

    I’m so excited about this series. My little guy is only 6 months old, but I know I want to homeschool and am looking forward to hearing how other moms do it. I have loved reading the posts by Jena from Yarns of the Heart. She makes homeschool sound like such an approachable and wonderful task. I hope she contributes to this series as well!

  9. Sarah B.B.

    Oh, how lovely. I am homeschooling my first grader, and even though we also homeschooled in kindergarten, I still feel like a newbie and I am often unsure if we are behind, or if we are doing too much and burning out.

    I realize this is a common problem, but I have always wanted to hear from other homeschoolers about how they structure their days. I am SO EXCITED to read this series.
    Sarah B.B.’s latest post: Consumer Anarchy- Dishwasher Soap Edition

  11. Chinonye

    Really looking forward to this series! As a new home schooling momma it’s great to have some insight into what others are doing…passing some wisdom on! Thanks

  13. Elle

    It was a book about day in the life of homeschoolers that gave me the courage and inspiration to start homeschooling because I realized that the ability to truly tailor the day to my family’s needs was within actual grasp. I look forward to these posts.

    The part of my day that could use some mentoring is our transitions from activity to activity. We seem to get a bit stuck in the mud with interruptions and such. I’d like to hear how others handle the transitions–by either posting a schedule so the kids know what is coming up and are ready or putting in “hard” breaks. Any ideas?
    Elle’s latest post: Jolly January 1st

  14. heidi

    I am so excited about this series! It sounds like just what I need. I have three little kiddos (ages 6, 4, and 2) and while we have great fun with circle time & stuff we do together, I have a hard time working in one-on-one times for reading lessons.

    Really looking forward to the insight!

  17. Julie

    I love this idea! I am homeschooling my first grader and also have a 3 year old and a nine month old. I struggle most with the mornings. It’s difficult for me to get started with “school” right away but I feel like I am wasting some time when the boys are fresh and receptive. I look forward to seeing how others structure their mornings.

  18. Brookiej

    I wish anything went like clockwork — the only thing I can say happens every day is LOTS of complaining from the kindergartener! I feel very overwhelmed starting back up after Christmas. We took off from the 23rd to the 3rd of January & things went anything but smoothly. It’s our first year homeschooling, and my 5-year-old daughter is so strong willed. I’m feeling very defeated most days. To say that I’m looking forward to this series is an understatement. Thanks for all the inspiration & valuable info! 🙂
    Brookiej’s latest post: happy- happy new year!

  19. Jenny

    I find reading what others are doing very helpful. There are always new ideas for new homeschoolers like myself. I posted our “day in the life” in honor of SimpleHomeschool’s series!
    Jenny’s latest post: a day in the life

  22. Judy Spady

    I was so thrilled to hear about this! I have been thinking about the idea of homeschooling for a few years but feel I am almost there. My family is ‘considering’ homeschooling our 2 boys (8 & 5) next year so this discussion would benefit us EXTREMELY!! My hubby is still not quite on board because he worries that I won’t have the organization necessary to do it. I know that I’m not the best at organizational skills but isn’t that part of the beauty of homeschooling, too? I realize it needs some structure but I can do that and I would need to follow some sort of plan but its also okay to just ‘wing it’ some days, right? I can’t wait to learn from all of you!

  23. Mary @ A Simple Twist of Faith

    We are back from Christmas break, and I am looking forward to the “Day in a Life” series. This is our second semester of kindergarten for my five year old. I feel we have a good handle on Reading and Math, however need help in science and social science topics. I also have a three year old who participates in anything but the reading.
    Mary @ A Simple Twist of Faith’s latest post: Pantry Challenge Week 1

  24. Leslie

    These are pretty good so far, but I would like to see someone who is trying to juggle this with an infant and toddler thrown in the mix as well… that’s when things get crazy for me – it’s so hard!
    Leslie’s latest post: How to proceed

  25. Jenn @ Beautiful Calling

    I just want to say that I am loving this series. Though my tots are just-turned-four Chloe and 2 year old John and our “homeschool” is more play and reading, I’m loving the ideas and seeing how everyone does it as our little school grows (with the addition of a spring baby) and evolves.

    This site is such a blessing!
    Jenn @ Beautiful Calling’s latest post: Winter Follower Giveaway Tour Starts!!