A Day in the Life of Homeschooling: Practical Strategies and Inspirations

The Current Experience

Our kids are in 9th and 11th grades now, so they are a lot more independent with their studies than they used to be. Three days a week, the youngest starts her day at the neighbor’s barn letting out horses and cleaning stalls. When she gets home, we all do English, Economics, and Spanish and Philosophy together. This takes 90–120 minutes, followed by a 20-minute drive to a kettlebell class. On the way home, we sometimes stop at the library. The youngest works on Algebra online, Science, and English, while the oldest and I go to class. After class, I help the youngest with any remaining Algebra work.

The other two days, after a kettlebell session, we do English, Economics, Spanish, and Philosophy together, eat lunch, and then the kids do Science and Math online, with English and Spanish homework. We are on a break from History this month, but we started it early since they enjoyed it so much. I am currently gathering history materials for next year, to be integrated into our schedule in April.

We homeschool year-round to travel or ‘Sun Days’ when the weather is too nice to stay indoors. Our farm’s livestock and large garden also play an important part in our schedule.

The Graduation Experience

Our daughter has now graduated and is attending university on the other side of the world. During her high school years, we had no ‘typical’ day. She might have spent all day reading or hanging out with friends, or we might have gone somewhere interesting like an aquarium. She might have spent most of the day studying chemistry, helping out in a lab, or teaching Taekwondo. Or she might have watched movies. No two days were alike.

The Son's Weekly Schedule

My son, now a home-schooled sophomore, doesn’t drive yet, so I am usually on the road. Here is a snapshot of his weekly schedule:

From 6:30 to 7:30 am, everyone gets up, is ready, and has had breakfast. Each child has a book they read for pleasure while eating breakfast. From 9 to noon, at least two of the kids do online work, one-on-one Skype tutoring, or study math drills, writing exercises, or foreign language flashcards. I always work with the younger ones during this time. Often, we take a morning hike or spend an hour at a giant playground before turning to the books. We visit the library at least three times a week for two to three hours. Each child has the work they need to complete, typically math, science, or history reading, in a quiet and undistracted space. After library time, everyone quickly chills, goes crazy carrying on in the yard or basement, and snacks before heading out to their sport or social time, such as track, rowing, gymnastics, band, or swimming. Home by 7 or 8, where we have dinner together and read until bedtime.

Exploring the Benefits of Homeschooling

I did not know how wonderful home education could be until I was 'in it.' It was very different when I was home educating four kids, and while there is no standard way to do it, it can be deeply enriching. Each child felt a sense of agency and control over their lives, which made a significant difference. My first two kids graduated from an Ivy League university and are thriving in their careers, while my third is at the US Naval Academy. My youngest is currently busy, as he follows the schedule above, spending the next year abroad. Each of my kids lived away from home for five to nine months in foreign countries, which pushed them to discover the limits of their comfort zones. They gained fluency in a foreign language and learned to navigate and rely on themselves, not me.

Practical Tips for Successful Homeschooling

When designing a homeschooling schedule, it is essential to focus on personal responsibility and treat your kids as valued members of the homeschool team. Involving them in the design of each week’s schedule can lead to greater cooperation. Ensure they get enough rest, eat healthfully, are outside in fresh air and sunshine, move and exercise, and do not spend too much time on screens. These four things alone can help create a super-learner!