DIY Homeschooler

If I could manufacture one thing, one time-saving device that could make a real difference in my day, it would be time itself! But since that isn’t in the realm of possibility, I’ll move on to Plan B — making good use of the time I have. Here are 8 time-saving solutions, ways to make time and become less time-challenged:

Table of Contents

• Prioritize
• Develop a Routine
• Plan Meals in Advance
• Keep Up with the Clutter
• Avoid Interruptions
• Just Say No
• Get Rid of Time-Busters
• Take the Best and Leave the Rest

Prioritize

Feel like you have hundreds of tasks requiring your attention each day? Most moms do. Homeschool moms tend to find themselves with an extra helping.

When I have prioritized the time I do have, time seems more abundant. By starting the day organized, I can move forward in a set direction with purpose. This prevents frittering away the time I do have minute by minute.

There are hundreds of tasks that require my attention throughout the day. Face it: they will not all get the attention they deserve!

On any given day, there are things that MUST be completed. They are priority number one.

Some things NEED to be completed, but there is less of a time constraint on them so there is a little wiggle room. They are priority number two.

Then there are the things I would LIKE to get done — if only there were more time!

By prioritizing, MUST, NEED, and LIKE I will get those things done that must be completed. By working steadily down the list I may also get to some of those things I would LIKE to do.

For example, I could spend time on my phone, but I MUST get my laundry done today or my husband will be going to work in the grease-splattered blue jeans he wore while he changed the oil in the car last night. I also MUST spend time helping my children through phonics, reading, and math (that IS the point, right?). Once I have those priorities completed, then I have a few minutes to jump into those things I would like to do.

But if I spend time on digital pursuits before I start that load of laundry or before sitting down with my children, I might never GET to the laundry! My children will be waiting for me to hurry to the table to quickly finish lessons before Dad gets home. The things I needed to do throughout the day piled up while I was otherwise occupied, leaving me “behind.”

Did you ever hear the one about the big rocks and the little pebbles presented by Stephen Covey? By scheduling those big things first (fitting the big rocks into the jar), the little things will schedule in around them (the pebbles and dirt will fit around the big rocks as you fill the jar with them). Whether or not you buy into the entire theory, it is certainly true that if I don’t make time for the big tasks they will not get done!

Time-saving solution:

By prioritizing the things I need to do each day, those things that must get done will. And, if Covey’s theory holds, I’ll even have more time for those things I’d like to do.

Getting Things Done by David Allen is a great way to start prioritizing your tasks. You might be surprised as you make that initial list. By setting up your personal method of “getting things done” you will focus on the important things around you. I love this quote in the book:

There is one thing we can do, and the happiest people are those who can do it to the limit of their ability. We can be completely present. We can be all here. We can give…our attention to the opportunity before us.

Mark Van Doren, Quoted in Getting Things Done

Read our full review of Getting Things Done for other ideas.

In order to complete the wide variety of tasks facing most homeschool moms, you may also want to check out these 8 reasons to schedule in blocks.

Develop a Routine

Some days are simply chaotic and a great deal of time is spent deciding what to do next. This is especially true for homeschool moms and their children. How many times a day do your children ask you, “What do I do next?” Or how much time do you spend checking to make sure each child did what he was supposed to do?

Time-saving solution:

Establish a routine. By having a firm routine in place I can reach for those rails that my day runs on even in times of unusually chaotic activity and spend less time thinking about all that needs to be done. Think of it as simply putting one foot in front of the other.

Some people shy away from “the routine.” The word routine can be used to describe the mundane and boring. But again, think of your routine as the track on which your day runs.

As an added benefit, if the entire family is used to a routine, then the interruptions in my day are reduced. My children won’t need to ask what they should be doing next — they’ll already know, thus saving me time. And I will spend less time (at least eventually) following up to make sure that everything that they needed to do was in fact done.

Your routine may look far different than mine. Some families prefer a well-planned schedule down to the minute. Others keep things simple: this, then the next thing, then the next. Whatever your method, a routine will eliminate chaos and allow things to run more smoothly.

Yes, there will be days…. But when the train runs off the track, it is much easier to get back on track but jumping back into your routine, wherever you left off.

Establishing a routine is part of establishing the atmosphere in our homes.

Plan Meals in Advance

I wonder how many hours I’ve logged in life standing in front of the open fridge trying to decide what to have for dinner. Multiply that by three if I include breakfast and lunch meals. The time multiplies even more if I’m rummaging around for snacks to feed hungry stomachs! Then if you have to go to the store for ingredients (or make a trip out for fast food) the time increases yet again.

Time-saving solution:

Plan meals in advance! There are some great simple and free planners out there. By spending just 15 minutes or so over the weekend looking ahead, I can save time … and a headache!

And meal planning falls right in line with my routine. If I already know from day to day what I will cook for dinner, it becomes a habit to check the menu, get the meat thawing, and prepare the beans, or do anything else that needs advance attention.

Around here we tend to have one week of meals planned in advance. Others seem to do well with monthly grocery planning.

Yes, life does intervene and barbecuing those steaks in the snow isn’t too appealing. But you can usually just swap a couple of meals. I’ve also found it helpful to always have ingredients on hand for quick favorites.

If planning your meals in advance is new to you, just keep it simple:

• Have staples stocked in your pantry and freezer.
• Make a quick list of family favorites, particularly main courses.
• Make another list of quick sides (vegetables, fruit, pasta, rice, or potatoes).
• Think colors. Plan to have at least three colors at the table (green: lettuce, orange: peaches, white: potatoes).
• Make sure to have bread or other staples available.
• Write down a mix-and-match combination for each day of the coming week.

I also find it helpful to have the same thing (or type of thing) one day per week: pizza on Saturday, for example.

Eat Smart Nutrition study curriculum is used for a nutrition certification program. If you are new to meal planning, this may be a helpful place to start. It’s free.

By planning in advance, I save lots of time and avoid staring into the pantry wondering “What’s For Dinner?”

Keep Up with the Clutter

Sure, it may seem like you’re saving time by tossing those shoes in front of the closet to be put away later so that you can run off and get something done quickly. Multiply that one action by several other ones like it, by the number of people in the house, and the next thing you know you’ll have to get out the cleaning brigade to work a 50-minute job!

Time-saving solution:

Clean as you go (and encourage the rest of the family to do the same). It is much quicker to just finish putting those shoes away when you’re already there and they are already in your hand.

There will be days when things get chaotic — but chaos should never be the rule in our homes or our lives! Check out these 9 tips for moving from chaos to peace, which include keeping up with the clutter.

Avoid Interruptions

Avoiding interruptions is easier said than done! But there are steps we can take to keep our families on track.

Time-saving solution:

Have a set time to hit the books. During that time, turn off the phone. You can check messages and return calls later. One family has gone so far as to put a sign on their door informing visitors that they are unavailable during homeschool hours.

The idea is to prioritize what is important. And then set boundaries to keep the first things the first things.

Just Say No

In the end, we simply cannot do it all. A multitude of good opportunities will arise before us, all begging for our time. Of course, tough choices will undoubtedly have to be made between several good options.

Time-saving solution:

Before committing ourselves and getting in over our heads, we can make our knee-jerk response, “I’ll think about it.” By giving ourselves time to weigh choices, we can save time for those things we really want to focus on.

It is hard to keep up with things at home if we aren’t there. We can limit outside activities to one per child or make them family outings one or two days per week.

Get Rid of Time-Busters

We all have our weak points when it comes to those little things we love to spend time on — things that we probably should be spending less time on than we do. Whether it’s talking, texting, pinning, browsing, or another favorite pursuit, minutes and even hours can disappear before we know it — leaving us wishing we could redeem the time.

Time-saving solution:

Schedule a certain amount of time each day for that favorite activity. Set a timer. When it is over … it’s over!

Take the Best and Leave the Rest

There is only so much I can do. Each decision I make regarding how I will spend my time is a choice between the good and the best.

I can sit down and spend 30 minutes in front of a television, or I can spend the same 30 minutes reading a book, or 30 minutes reading to my children, or 30 minutes reading Scripture. And of course, all of these may be fine!

Time-saving solution:

Prayerfully evaluate each activity’s usefulness in the broader scope of life. By consciously making a decision, we are more likely to be using the time we have been given wisely — each and every day.

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Additional Resources

A Woman After God’s Own Heart
My copy of this title by Elizabeth George has been read a few times. I don’t know about you, but it is easy for me to get off track, chasing my own agenda. This book helps me keep the first thing the first thing. After all, as Matthew 6:33 states: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”