Home School Heartbeat Radio Program

I want to do a good job homeschooling, but my house is a wreck! Michael Farris talks about setting priorities and realistic standards, today on Home School Heartbeat.

Michael Farris:
Women in our mothers' generation spent most of their time running their households; the modern homeschooling mom just doesn't have that luxury. So what's a homeschooling mother to do?

First, be realistic. Every normal home has occasional unmade beds, unwashed dishes, or even toys on the floor. If your home looks decent sometimes on most days, then don't sweat the details. If it only looks decent once a month, then you may want to pick up the pace a bit.

Second, get your children to do some of the work. They are your workers. You're the manager. Make them help you clean the home as soon as they're old enough to do so. Certainly by the time they're 5 or 6, your children should be a real asset to the cleaning team.

Vickie was an only child, and I was one of four children. Vickie's mom did most of the housework while Vickie was at school, so she felt guilty for asking our children to help. I gave her my motto: The kids eat the food and help make the mess; they can help make it clean.

Your husband's standards may be more exacting than mine. If so, talk together about your responsibilities and ask for his help in prioritizing tasks. But please, don't drive yourself crazy worrying about an immaculate home. Remember that the perfect homeschooling mom doesn't exist and you don't have to be the first one. I'm Mike Farris.