How I’m Preparing My Kids (and Myself) for a New Homeschool Routine
- silvia palla
- Aug 30
- 3 min read
This week has been all about getting ready for our new routine.
Not just for my daughter, but for me too.
Homeschooling means everyone has to adjust, and that takes time, patience, and a whole lot of mental preparation.
For my 8 year old, learning has to be short and effective. If it’s too much, she gets overwhelmed. Too little, and she feels lost. So I’ve been doing my research, pulling things together, and making sure the schedule on the wall actually works for us.
Trying to copy school never worked for her so I want a rhythm that lets her learn every day without the pressure.
Something I always suggest to reduce that pressure is not making the schedule too strict with time. For example, if we plan 15 minutes of maths (which is plenty for an ADHD child), I’ll set the window between 9:00 and 9:30. That way, if breakfast runs long or something comes up, I don’t stress about being “late” and we still get it done, just without the rush.
And let me be honest, I’m preparing myself too. Because I know the stress will come, especially at the beginning.
There will be some resistance, especially about the new screen time rules. I’ll admit that screens have saved me many times. But I wont reduce it much as I want to leave space for her passions of creating videos, editing, gaming and learning about game design.
That’s education too. It’s just not the traditional kind.
Then there is my 2 years old.
He will spend a few days with the childminder and the rest of the week at home with us.
I let him play, explore, and do what he loves. Recently, he’s started tracing numbers and letters on a little app, and he’s loving it. He also likes colouring which is also good for his fine motor skills. He is full of energy so big body movement is a must at all times!
Some people think I’m a bit mad for homeschooling.
For me, this wasn’t just about choosing homeschooling. It was about protecting my daughter’s mental health. She didn’t need 35 hours a week of lessons, stickers, and constant comparison about who’s smartest or best.
She needed freedom.
She’s still learning but she’s also thriving.
We socialise through sports, clubs, playdates, and simply living life together. My kids are not missing out. If anything, they’re getting more. More time to be kids. More space to explore who they are.
One of my biggest tips is to involve your kids in daily life.
Let them help with small tasks around the house, give them age appropriate responsibilities, and use real life to teach skills that schools often don’t like money management, cooking, or even simple business ideas. These things matter. They prepare our kids for the real world.
I’ve also incorporated mindfulness into our days.
For me, it’s not just about academics. I want my kids to learn about themselves from the inside out. To notice their feelings, to find calm when life gets loud, and to grow up grounded and confident in who they are.
Homeschooling is about shaping learning around your child’s life. Anything can be learning if you look at it the right way, and you are the one in charge of preparing them for their future.
A Little Note if You’re Thinking About Homeschooling
Please don’t get discouraged. Homeschooling really is for everyone, you just have to find what works for your family. There are so many groups and communities out there (some bigger than others), and a lot of free or low-cost resources to help with learning.
And remember, the world outside is one of the best classrooms and it’s free.
Here are the links for the resources I use the most:
https://educationalfreedom.org.uk/ - Informative
https://outschool.com/ - Pay as you go courses bases on child interest
https://parents.doodlelearning.com/ - Low cost
https://www.youtube.com/@Peekaboo_Kidz - Educational content
https://www.youtube.com/@DannyGo - Fun and movement
On the Resources page there is a PDF document from the Croydon Home Ed department (updated February 2024) with many other resources and support links.
Thank you for reading!
If you’d like to connect, you can find me on
Instagram @silvia.london89
or drop me an
email at thepracticalparent1@gmail.com.
I’d love to hear from you.
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