For most, another school year is passed. How did you do? Being with your children, learning them while teaching them is vitally important. As you think of the pros and cons of the past year, here are a few ideas to get you thinking about your new school year.

Meals

Each meal is so important. It doesn’t matter the age of your student, they know when it’s time to eat! While it can happen unexpectedly, having preparation does help. Try planning weekly meals. When I caught on to a weekly menu, that cut down on my grocery shopping and my evening frustration. No more, ‘Hmm. It’s 5:30. What can I cook fast?’ Usually on Saturday, or the day before shopping, I would make out the following week’s menu. Evenings are so much calmer. This makes it easier for the older kids to help out. I can plan lunch menus based on leftovers, easing lunchtime woes.

Not Everything

I went to a homeschool conference once where the speaker encouraged me to do something, not everything. I could teach an elective for 30 minutes each day before lunch, a different elective each day. One day was art, another music, maybe a special pe class, and so forth. All of my kids of varying ages attended the class together. While we didn’t get 45 hours in of music appreciation, they could recognize music styles and different composers. They got a taste for basketball teams or tennis matches. Whatever you do is more than nothing.

Park Time

Extra time does not have to cost money. Have you spent one day, or afternoon, at a park? The next week, go to a different park. Then keep going throughout the semester. Bring water bottles, perhaps a snack. You might makes new friends!

These are fun times. Yes, we all need to be reminded of that. Life goes to fast; enjoy it while they are here.