Secrets of an Organized Homeschool Mom

Are you stressed? Constantly worried about the things you’re missing out on or forgetting to do? Have more things to keep track of than space on your calendar? Yeah… me too.

Sometimes I wonder if it’s even possible to be an organized-homeschooling-mom.

Rest assured, moms, it is possible to have an organized home and a life that runs smoothly at least some of the time. Here are some secrets to get you started on the right foot.

Secret Number 1

A place for everything and everything in its place.

Determine the best place to store things—and put them away when you’re done using them. As an added bonus, you’ll know where to find things the next time you need them. You probably know this, but do you consistently do it? Moreover, do you train your children to do this and hold them accountable for doing so? Teach your kids early on where things should be kept and expect that they will put them there. Your kids will rise to your expectations if you stay consistent and practice what you preach.

If you use small items in multiple areas of the house—like scissors in both the kitchen and the craft room—buy multiples. You can keep one in each of those rooms and minimize the back and forth of putting away.

Secret Number 2

Create routines to help your day run smoothly.

A smooth-running morning begins by having a great routine and doing as much as you can the night before. Go through your homeschool plans, and set everything out or write important dates on the calendar. Make lunches the night before and keep them in the refrigerator – you can do this too, homeschool moms. Cut up cheese, veggies, and fruit, and just set out the platters with crackers at lunch time.

Easy-peasy…

Make routines for other parts of the day as well. The more you can get your family used to doing without thinking about it, the better organized you can be.

Secret Number 3

Purge often.

The more stuff you have, the more disorganized you feel, even if you really aren’t. Decluttering needs to be part of your seasonal routines.

Children outgrow clothing and shoes so quickly. Unless you have children who will grow into clothes, get rid of what is outgrown. However, don’t throw everything away. You can sell clothing, toys and shoes at consignment stores, on the internet, at yard sales or you can donate them to charitable organizations.

Go through your own things as well. If you’re not using it and haven’t in quite a while, someone else might be able to use it.

Secret Number 4

Ask for help.

There’s a saying that No man is an island; entire of himself. This means you can’t do everything, and you shouldn’t be expected to. Delegate tasks you don’t have the time to do or simply don’t want to do yourself.

Enlist your family’s help in doing tasks they’re better at doing. Teach your children at an early age to help around the house. Give them chores to do and expect that they will get done. If everyone in the family pitches in – even young children can do something—mom won’t have to do everything by herself.

Secret Number 5

Plan your meals ahead of time.

If you only do this one thing, you can save money, time, and headaches. By planning your meals for a week at a time you can make one shopping trip to get everything. You can also save money by matching what you need with coupons. You’ll save yourself headaches by not having to run to the store in the middle of the week to pick up something you don’t have. Or desperately call your husband to stop on the way home.

About the Author

Colleen is a former teacher of gifted children who hoped for nice, average kids. Since things never quite work out as planned, she now stays at home to homeschool her highly gifted kids, trying desperately to stay one step ahead of them while writing about their adventures {and messes} at Raising Lifelong Learners. You can find her avoiding housework by playing on the trampoline or going for hikes with her kids.