Time Management Tips for Homeschooling Parents
Balancing homeschooling, household responsibilities, and personal time can be challenging, but with some structure and strategies in place, you can manage it effectively. Here are some time management homeschool tips from EZ-Teach to help with time management in homeschooling, including our #1 tip which is to create a schedule:
Table of Contents:
Click on the links above to learn more or keep reading for our top ten tips! Or, if you wish to chat with someone for help with your time management, contact us at EZ-Teach.
Follow these time management homeschool tips from EZ-Teach to keep your household healthy.
(Image Source: Anke Sundermeier)
10 Tips For Time Management Homeschool
1) Create a Schedule
First, block out time. Dedicate specific times for homeschooling, household chores, and personal activities. A clear routine can help you stay on track. Would you like a homeschool planner? Click on this link to download it for free!
Use a planner or digital calendar to set daily, weekly, and monthly goals and break tasks into manageable chunks. Remember to add buffer time between activities to handle unexpected disruptions. It is important to accept that our plans don’t always go as smoothly as we envision which is a lesson in itself. Also, you can even enter in everyday tasks like “make coffee” or “do dishes” as this may help prevent you from overextending yourself and overestimating the time you have available.
Use our FREE homeschool planner to create your homeschool schedule and prioritize tasks.
2) Prioritize Tasks
Next, identify key tasks. List your most important tasks each day. Focus on the non-negotiable tasks first (e.g., homeschooling, important chores), then tackle less urgent ones.
Consider the 80/20 Rule. This rule, also known as the Pareto Principle, is a concept that suggests that roughly 80% of results come from 20% of efforts. When applied to time management, it emphasizes focusing on the few tasks that will give you the greatest returns, rather than spreading yourself thin across numerous tasks. So prioritize the 20% of tasks that will bring the most results, whether in homeschooling or home management.
Learn more about the Pareto Principle in this video above.
3) Set Realistic Expectations
It is important that you don’t over-schedule. It’s easy to get overwhelmed if you try to do too much. Be realistic about how much you can fit into your day, and leave space for self-care. If possible, involve your children in household chores or let them work on tasks independently while you focus on other responsibilities.
You can also delegate tasks. Delegating tasks in homeschooling can be a great way to make your routine more efficient, especially if you're managing multiple children or other responsibilities. Let’s look at an example below.
Scenario
Say you're homeschooling two children, one in Grade 1 and another in Grade 4. You also have other duties like managing meals, errands, and organizing activities. For your Grade 1 child, the most critical tasks might be building foundational skills like reading, writing, and basic math. However, for your Grade 4 child, the tasks may include more advanced subjects like grammar, social studies, or science.
Solution
Grade 1 Child: While you’re working with your older child on more advanced lessons, you can delegate some reading practice or simple math exercises to your Grade 1 child. You could even give them a workbook or an educational app that they can work on independently for short periods.
Grade 4 Child: Older children are often capable of taking on more responsibility. You can delegate subjects like independent reading or certain homework tasks to them, especially when they can work on their own. You can also give them the responsibility of organizing their materials or setting up learning stations for both children.
By prioritizing what is important for each child and delegating work, you can all get more accomplished in the limited time you have.
See how one homeschool mom uses flexible time blocks in her homeschooling schedule/routine.
4) Use Time Blocks
Just as in a public school, homeschooling can include time blocks. While you don’t have to mimic a traditional public school schedules (see the video above), you can set specific time blocks for lessons, activities, and breaks. This helps kids know what to expect and can also provide clear boundaries for other responsibilities. You can organize your household chores in the same way, in blocks.
Whether you want strict time blocks or loose, more flexible ones, time blocks help you and your family visualize what you need to accomplish in a day.
You can also set a timer for tasks and chores (e.g., 30-minute cleaning sessions). It helps create a sense of urgency and can keep you focused. Timers can also help ease transitions and help you move from one task to another without feeling rushed or scattered.
Schedule lessons, activities, breaks and chores in time blocks to help everyone stay on track.
(Image Source: Uwe Kern)
5) Multitask
When appropriate, multitask by combining activities. This will help you use time efficiently. For example, you can prep dinner while overseeing a child’s homework, or listen to a podcast while folding laundry.
Involve the kids. If they are old enough, assign age-appropriate household tasks, so you can manage homeschooling and chores simultaneously.
6) Embrace the Power of “No”
Somehow we tend to overstretch ourselves and live as if we don’t have limits. But we do, so don’t overcommit. Learn to say no to things that do not align with your priorities, especially if they add stress or are unnecessary. And don’t feel guilty if you need to say no.
For example, if a friend invites you and your children to a social gathering during an important time of your school schedule, and you know it will disrupt your focus and ability to complete lessons effectively, it's okay to politely decline.
Prioritizing your homeschooling goals and ensuring consistency in your routine will ultimately benefit your child's education more than adding unnecessary distractions. Saying "no" in this case helps preserve your time and energy for the tasks that matter most, creating a more balanced and productive homeschooling environment.
7) Build in Breaks
Breaks are important for you and your kids. Don’t forget to schedule regular breaks. Short breaks can rejuvenate you and your children, helping everyone stay focused and productive.
Research consistently shows that taking breaks is essential for maintaining productivity, focus, mental health, and overall well-being. In fact, have you ever heard of the Pomodoro Technique? Evidence shows that structured work intervals (e.g., 25 minutes of work followed by 5-minute breaks) boost efficiency by preventing mental exhaustion. Watch the video below to learn more about this productivity-boosting technique.
8) Self-care is a Priority
Make time for yourself. Set aside a specific time each day or week for personal activities like reading, exercising, or simply relaxing. This is essential for preventing burnout.
Take advantage of those quiet moments and use them for self-care. If your kids are doing independent activities, spend time yourself on self-care or personal projects.
Need self-care ideas? Check out this video from Homegrown Homeschool.
9) Simplify and Automate
As with having a schedule for school and breaks, you can also manage time better by planning meals. Plan meals in advance to save time on cooking and grocery shopping.
And, use technology. Automate tasks where possible (e.g., bill payments, and grocery orders) to free up more time.
You can also consider signing your children up for an online course. This will free up some of your time and give you one less subject to plan! Have a look at some of our courses here.
Spend less time lesson-planning by enrolling in an online course!
10) Review and Adjust
Regularly assess your week. At the end of each week, review what worked and what didn’t. Have a journal handy to make notes throughout the day so you don’t forget. If things don’t go well, adjust your schedule accordingly to stay flexible and improve your time management.
Need More Tips For Time Management Homeschool?
EZ-Teach was created to help homeschool families, teachers, and students alike. If you are looking for more tips, browse through our blog. We also provide links to educational resources and you can find curriculum on our site which is easy to preview and download. We also offer courses. And, as always, if you want to talk to us or you are looking for other educational suppose, please contact us!
