by Beth Deane

Isn’t this something we would all love an easy answer to? Here we a few things that work for me, or that I would like to try.

Work as a team: The whole family is in this together.

Don’t expect perfection from yourself or anyone else: When we first decided to home school I felt that the school was not perfect, therefore I could do this.

Take time out for you: Read a book, go for a walk, look in dress shops, etc. Leave the children with your husband/partner, do a swap with a friend or enroll them all in a class, for example our boys have horse riding on Saturday mornings. This is best made into a set time each week, because there is never any ‘free’ time to do it otherwise.

Have time one to one with your husband/partner: Even if this is just thirty minutes each day when the children are playing outside. Again this becomes a habit if there is a set time.

I remember Janine Banks saying they had quiet time each afternoon. This allows little ones to sleep and big ones (including you), to rest or read. I find this particularly helpful in the hot weather.

Protect yourself: Leam to say NO. Don’t take on more than you can cope with.

Send the children to bed early: They need the rest, you need the break. They can read if they like and you and your husband/partner get time together.

Exercise: Walking is great. Exercising actually gives you more energy.
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Eat healthy food: Cut down on the cakes and add more fruit.

Chores: For our household Monday is chores day. The children help clean the house, hang out the washing, clean their shoes etc. Jobs can be relative to the child’s age. It sure helps things to get done a lot faster and children begin to appreciate what needs doing.

Grocery shopping: Ring or fax your order. If you live in town it can probably be delivered free too. Not just the supermarket but fruit and vegetables, as well as the butcher. Otherwise, get the children involved, it’s probably better than Math and English straight out of the book.

Cooking: Teach the children to cook. They can do a meal each week from a very early age, even if it is vegemite sandwiches for lunch.

Helping: Little children love to be involved so let them help you. If you stop them now it is very hard to start them later. I know they are slow and not very thorough, but close your eyes while they improve.

My children take turns at staying with my parents: This can be for one or more days. This is great for the child going, my parents and one less at home always makes a difference.

Spend time with people you enjoy: We have a special family we often spend time with, the children get on well and this friend and I talk and talk, which is fun and we solve any problems. Have you noticed that when you verbalise a problem, that many others have been through the same thing? It sure helps you to feel NORMAL.

Have FUN: This keeps you young, the children love it and what a great way to learn!

Finally: If you were told that you had one year to live, what would you do?
WELL… DO IT ANYWAY!!

Beth has three boys and lives outside of Byron Bay. She and Trevor have been homeschooling for three years.