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Why Homeschool Mamas Need Quiet Time

If you are a homeschooling mom (or a non-homeschooling mom for that matter) with young children, they NEED to be taking a quiet time.

(Recently, on our Facebook page, a lot of moms told me they can't survive without quiet time.)

If there is ONE THING that will contribute to the success of your homeschool it is YOUR sanity. If there is ONE THING that will contribute to your sanity it is the ability to have a sliver of peace and quiet - time when you can get a few things done, focus on yourself, or even close your eyes.

When we abandoned the ideal of public school I was concerned about the noise level in our home - how in the world would I maintain my sanity?  Quiet time was a life-saver!

Quiet time was always non-negotiable when my children were younger. In fact, I asked them about it just the other day. My oldest (now 16) said, "I remember quiet time - 1:00-3:00 every day. We could go in our rooms and do whatever we wanted, as long as we didn't bother you!".

You read that right. Two hours. Every.single.day.

 

I need peace and quiet, and I'm willing to bet you do, too.


 

Why Homeschool Mamas Need Quiet Time

Your children need the valuable experience of entertaining and quieting themselves, as well!

 

How to Make Quiet Time Happen In Your Homeschool

I knew that if I was going to be a happy homeschooling mom I needed quiet. I did a few things to make that happen. 

 

Don't Schedule Outside Activities in the Early Afternoon

I know - this might not always be possible when you have multiple ages in your home, but I tried my best to be sure the hours from 1-3 were protected on most days.

Be Consistent

Having a consistent schedule - with quiet time coming right after lunch - was extremely helpful.

We would play outside before lunch (to wear people out!), eat lunch, tidy the downstairs, and then read a book or two before quiet time. My children came to expect this. My youngest would even go to his room after lunch to retrieve his blanket and a few books and then meet me in the family room for stories. 

(I can't tell you how many times I read Are You My Mother? to my youngest during these years!)

Make the Entire House Quiet

This meant even mom was taking quiet time, too. If I made too much noise the kids would think they were missing out on something! 

Many times this would be when I would turn on the classical music and just let the house be relaxed for two hours. 

(Now that my kids are teens I miss those quiet times!)

Dole Out Consequences for Not Obeying/Offer Positive Reinforcement for Good Behavior

My children would receive consequences for not staying in their room during quiet time, and to tell you the truth, I rarely had to use them. We started the habit of quiet time early on and it was just expected, and I believe my children craved that alone time. 

I was also intentional about praising my children for good quiet times - maybe a special snack when they woke up, or making a big deal about it when daddy got home from work. 

Why Homeschool Moms Need Quiet Time

What Can Kids Do During Quiet Time?

Quiet time is sure to fail if your children don't know what to do with themselves! 

You need to train them in the habit of keeping themselves busy - if they aren't big nappers. Here are some things I tried to have available for my one child that just didn't like to nap:

  • audio books - our library had a great selection of them and we would pay a visit to the library specifically for quiet time books!
  • reading - reserve this time for their sustained silent reading each day
  • handicrafts - knitting, finger weaving, rubber band bracelets, etc... 
  • having a special toy(s) in the room only at quiet time

I fondly remember one day when my stubborn 8-year-old girl didn't want to take quiet time. I convinced her to read books to our dog (who was such a sweet lap dog) because he needed to "do school", too. Sometimes you just have to get creative, moms!

What NOT to Do During Quiet Time

Do not allow electronics during quiet time.

Why Homeschool Moms Need Quiet Time

Yes, I realize they are an easy way to keep children quiet, but they aren't the most productive use of a child's time, and they defeat the true purpose of quiet time: teaching our children to occupy themselves with something meaningful. 

My own children were young in the age where iPads and tablets were just in their infancy, and we didn't have one. I have lived through having young children without the "luxury" of giving them a device, and I believe they are better off for it.

Throw tomatoes at me if you wish, but don't give your kids screens during quiet time.

Additionally, a glowing screen doesn't help our little ones' minds settle down so they can actually take a nap! 

Invest the time to train your child how to occupy themselves during quiet time!

 

 

Resources for Quiet Time

Following are some of the resources I remember from our quiet times... it's just a good idea to have a good stock of things like this on hand in your home. Of course there are many more - these suggestions should just get your ideas flowing!

Make special things available ONLY during quiet time; your children will look forward to quiet time!

Do your children have a quiet time?  What do they do during that time?

Homeschooling For The Long Haul: Cultivating Habits for Success

There is a big difference between homeschooling and homeschooling WELL. 

Really stop and think about that. Are you educating your children, or are you educating them WELL? Are you going through the motions, or are you being intentional about schooling (and LIFE) - with the goal of homeschooling for the long haul in mind?

We must create space and time to ensure things of beauty are placed center stage.  We must create time and space to cultivate our own habits of excellence.

We're cultivating beautiful young people, not checking off boxes.

The years go by quickly, and we owe our children an excellent home education.

Getting it done WELL begins with the homeschool parent and their ability to cultivate effective habits.

Homeschooling for the Long Haul

MY HABITS are far more important to the success of our homeschool - because my children will model my habits.

And when all of our habits are worthy and true, our homeschool is more apt to succeed.

I wish someone would have laid out these simple things for me when I started homeschooling. I was too concerned about which books to read, which curriculum to choose, and which co-op to join. I needed to start with these BASIC, SIMPLE things and work from there.

Five Habits for Homeschool Parents

As we discuss these five ways, consider the beautiful words of Charlotte Mason (Volume 1, p. 135): 

Modeling Learning For Children

 

Discipline

This is a big one for me.  What about you?

What does discipline look like for the homeschooling parent?

Do we set a schedule and/or routine and stick to it? Do we get up on time and model the habits necessary for a successful day?

Are we true to our word? If we set a rule for our children, is there an immediate and effective consequence when it is broken?

If we begin a project in our homeschool, do we stick with it and see it through with excellence?

 

Choose an area where you struggle with discipline. Perhaps you lack a consistent morning routine in your home.  Make a vow to yourself to change this. Start small - maybe it is getting up at a set time and making sure everyone is dressed and sitting at the breakfast table by a certain time - then see over time if your children don't notice and respond accordingly.

 A Morning Time with consistently beautiful, inspiring materials has proven to help with the discipline of a good morning routine. 

 

Simplicity

An effective homeschool is one that isn't bogged down in so much "stuff" that children cannot find their math book.

An effective homeschool - one that works for the long haul - is one where children have time and space to discover and appreciate beauty.

A simple homeschool is one where mama knows how to stay in her own lane and doesn't worry about keeping up with what everyone else is doing. 

Homeschooling for the Long Haul

 

Self-Education

Self-Education is of supreme importance for the homeschooling parent. 

Are we constantly modeling a spirit and habit of inquiry? Do we take time to read the classics - especially when we are requiring the same of our children? 

Do we attend conventions or conferences to further our growth? 

Learning doesn't stop for us simply because we are TEACHING. We are the chief learners in our homes!

Some things on this mama's nightstand recently - a mixture of fiction and non-fiction. I love to read and learn and then talk with my children about these things.

We are creating a culture of education. This is important.

Faithfulness

This can be so so difficult.  When we have had a string of bad homeschool weeks and it seems as if our children are just meant to be in "school", it can be daunting to remain faithful to our commitment to homeschool.

When we have "that child" that seems to be testing every boundary we have, faithfulness can elude us.

Do whatever it takes to remain faithful. Remain in the Word. Confide in friends. Put your homeschool on "hold" for a month or so until you can gather the courage to begin again.

Remain faithful and you WILL be rewarded.

When I was a little girl my mother always told me (after I'd had a bad day) that things would look better in the morning. I'm sure maybe you've heard this. Well... it IS true.  God's mercies are new each morning, and sometimes they are new each hour in our homeschool.

His Mercies are New Each Morning - Homeschooling for the Long Haul

 

Being In Community

This one has been the hardest for me in our homeschool journey. 

Finding your homeschooling "tribe" can be difficult.  Have the courage to know when something is working and when it isn't. 

Have the courage to keep seeking out friendships and community until you find the right one.

Community is important.  The support of a community is essential if you are going to homeschool for the long haul.

We cannot homeschool alone. We need friends to lift us up and support us in our journey.  We need a friend to go out to coffee with. We need a group of girlfriends to go away with for the weekend and just LAUGH.  Our children need this, too. They need to see us getting together with families who have similar values and goals. They need to be surrounded by loving, caring adults. 

In my case there were several families who were intentional about building community - and yes, it was WORK, but it has been WORTH IT. 

 

Let's homeschool WELL.  I know you can do it!

 

Download my free eBook - You CAN Homeschool: Encouragement for the Journey.

 

Is there a particular habit YOU struggle with in your efforts to homeschool well? Share it with us in the comments below.