A Realistic Look at Our Home Education Life
- silvia palla
- Oct 13
- 3 min read
I would have never said this before… but I’ve become a fan of having some kind of structure. I wouldn’t call it a strict routine because honestly, that would be a lie but, I do need rhythm in my days. Without it, we get to lunch still in our pijamas, nothing done, and I’m left wondering where the morning went.
Don’t get me wrong, one of the things I love about home educating is the freedom.
We don’t have to rush out the door every morning or follow a bell. But that same freedom can quickly turn into chaos if there isn’t at least a gentle framework to hold us together.
Why rhythm works better than routine
For me, a rhythm means we have predictable patterns, but not rigid times.
If breakfast runs long, or someone wakes up slower than usual, we just shift things around. Nobody needs that added stress of chasing the clock.
For example, if we have 15 minutes of maths planned (which is plenty for an ADHD brain), it can happen between 9:00 and 9:30.
That small bit of flexibility makes a big difference and it removes pressure while still giving structure.
Our learning time has blocks, not hours. Our days have flow, not deadlines.
Because let’s be honest, life with kids, especially neurodivergent ones, doesn’t follow a perfect chart. Some mornings they need more time to regulate; some afternoons, the weather changes our plans completely. So we adjust, we breathe, and we keep going.
A day in our home education life
This is how it usually looks when things go according to plan:
7:00 am: We wake up. I get my coffee and vitamins while the kids ease into the day.
8:00 am: Breakfast and cartoons. I use this time to get ready for the day.
9:00 am: Quick showers, everyone dressed.
10:00 am to 12:00 pm: Learning block with English, maths, spelling, short bursts with breaks and lots of movement. We keep one to two topic per day for our structured learning.
12:00 pm: Lunch time.
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm: Rest or quiet play. I’m Italian, so yes, siesta is sacred.
Afternoon: Outing, fresh air, or a mix of free play and life skills (like cooking or tidying).
Evening: Dinner, bath, bedtime.
Learning is something the children do all day long as anything can be a good learning opportunity. For example, a simple walk in the park can easily transform in a chat about trees and what they do for us
Connection comes first
Home education has taught me that connection always comes before productivity.
If we start the day dysregulated, nothing flows. If I’m rushing, they feel it.
So I’ve learned to pause, connect, and then continue.
I’m a fan of teaching my children about human connection, to understand emotions, to communicate with empathy, and to build awareness of themselves and others.
These lessons matter as much as any school subject.
Here’s how I nurture that connection daily:
Shared Activities: Whether it’s cooking, reading, or a short walk, doing things together strengthens our bond.
Active Listening: I make a point to listen without interrupting, even when it’s about Minecraft or the same story for the tenth time.
Physical Affection: Hugs, high-fives, or just sitting close remind them they’re loved.
Celebrating Uniqueness: I remind them that being different isn’t something to fix, it’s something to understand and embrace.
Final thoughts
I don’t always follow my own plan.
Some days we ditch everything and just exist, and that’s fine. Because learning happens in so many ways: in the kitchen, outside, during play, or simply in conversation.
Our rhythm changes with us. It’s not about having a perfect home education day, it’s about finding peace in the middle of it all.
Thank you for reading!
You can always reach me on
Instagram @silvia.london89
TikTok @motherhoodnprogress
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