Managing Your Home While Homeschooling is Hard...This Helps!

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Thanks for watching! ❤ What tips would you add that help you to manage everything??

[@myinnerlightfaith]

I feel such mom guilt that the state of my home is a wreck. I have two young children and I know it’s a season but man, it’s so wearying when I can never get ahead on being organized and have my house not looking like a disaster zone. When it’s a wreck, I’m mentally a wreck, but I literally have no time in the week to change anything.

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

I definitely understand that struggle! I remember well! You are spot on that it is only a season, but it is a wearying one for sure. I think a couple things that helped me was to keep things as minimal as possible in that stage. The less toys and other things you have that littles can get into, the less mess there is to pick up. Minimalism or at least rotating toys, can be very helpful! And training them as to what they are allowed to play with, and that they need to help pick up is huge too. But also tiring to start out the enforcement of the rules, but worth it after the transition period. Another thing that was helpful was letting my husband know how overwhelmed I was with the housework on top of the kids, and asking for help was huge! We started doing a Saturday morning clean up time where he helped, as well as the kids, to really tidy/clean up the house, which was so great! Best wishes!

[@samposampo9432]

Dawn from "the minimal mon" has some very hands on easy tricks for simplyfing your home, from kids clothes to kitchen etc. Her channel helped me a lot!

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

@@samposampo9432 Yes! I’ve gotten some great ideas from her as well!

[@SimplyLivingIt]

Erin, thank you for all you do here in the youtube community and for all of us mamas! I'm so grateful for your friendship. Thank you for asking me to join you on tackling this topic here on youtube. So thankful for your friendship and wisdom. 🌸❤️

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Right back at you, girl! Thanks for being such an inspiration and light in this space!! ❤️

[@carriebilbrey]

I truly feel like God has given me a do-over in life and I am so excited to pour into my home in this season. BUT I have to ruthlessly eliminate distractions. Doing what I have wanted to do for years now and go off social media for this whole year. Even taking a break from the many lovely podcasts I usually have playing in my ears. I guess I just realize how much I need to hear God's voice and even trust my own thoughts in this season. I LOVE podcasts but alllll the advise and voices simply need to be quieted a little, for now. I landed on this video when looking up a writing program I could look into for my kids in homeschooling. You are such an encourager.....thank you!!

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Such great wisdom there! I have done that for a time as well. I love listening to all the things, but yes, sometimes we just need to be still and listen for the Lord! For writing, I really liked Writing & Rhetoric. A lot of homeschool families love IEW.

[@sugarbubblesandpickles]

We love to see empowered families! Love to all the sweet families in the comments!

[@mandydoerfler2909]

Just recently finished reading Dana White “How to Manage your Home without losing your mind”. She is super funny. And although I wouldn’t identify like her as a slob, I was definitely feeling overwhelmed by some of the other “cleaning methods” out there. I have 4 young boys and a husband who is gone half the week and was feeling like keeping my head/house above water was such a task. But like you said, I have WAY too high of expectations for myself bc I enjoy a lovely peaceful house (I know, 4 boys…it’s almost laughable) 😂 Anyway, I loved Dana’s basic tips for just aiming to do the necessities consistently and add the deep cleaning in times when I feel I’ve actually caught up. No point in organizing a closet if the dishes are piling up. Just do the dishes! 😊

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Great tip! That’s how I’ve had to function for a long time too! There’s a lot that doesn’t get done as often as I’d like but we just keep on keeping on and get to those kinds of things mostly only when we have time off from doing school. 😄

[@makeanddohandmade]

I love Dana too, “Do the dishes” is definitely my cleaning mantra when I’m overwhelmed!!

[@sarahmiranda7130]

Also check out the Minimal Mom. She has great videos to help with this.

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Yes! She’s great!

[@Sovereign.Alignment]

I deleted all my social media last year. BEST decision I have ever made. I don’t think it is worth it to have at all as a mom of 4 little ones. Not for everyone to give it up cold turkey, I understand that; but for me it was the best choice. 🦋🦋🦋 Thank you for sharing your tips!

[@faithhomeschool2789]

Our schedule has changed over the years. Finding a balance is hard sometimes. We now finish up school at 2:30pm and I schedule work time after. Its not perfect but it works for us. I also use the Clean Mama method it has been great knowing what task I will tackle each day I just set reminders in my phone. I love your idea of listening to a podcast while making dinner. Thank you for the dose of encouragement as always.

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Thanks for sharing!! ❤️

[@d.zyned2thrive584]

Yay! Someone else who goes a month without mopping 🤣🤣. My kids don't get paid though, sometimes a small treat like a small piece of chocolate. ☺️

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Our kids have lots of chores they do without getting paid. I only pay them if it’s something that I really want done but don’t want (or have time) to do it! 😆

[@OneDayAtATime1277]

Thank you for this video! I love how you interject scripture ❤️

[@kdwerner]

This is so helpful! I absolutely love your videos about homemaking & homeschooling - there are not a lot of resources out there about it. So encouraged ❤

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

I'm so glad! ❤️

[@FLMegan]

I love Jaime from Simply living it. I only watch 3 homeschool moms and your 2 of them. Yall are very similar. ❤️

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Aww, thank you for choosing my channel! She’s amazing! ❤️

[@liztefft5312]

Thank you so much, Erin! I'm currently doing my dishes while listening. ☺️

[@samposampo9432]

Dawn from the "minimal mom" has many helpful tips as well as Cas from clutterbug. Love your channel Erin! Thank you so much for all you do!❤

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Thank you!! 🥰

[@diversekakes]

Thank you for being transparent with us! I appreciate your videos. “I see you, momma!”

[@jennifermielke987]

Your videos are like a big hug of encouragement and they are so highly appreciated! I would love to see a chore video and thank you for all of the time you put into these! 💕

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Aww, that’s an answer to prayer. 🙌🏼Always my hope to encourage someone! Thanks!

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

In case you missed my chore video, here you go! kzbin.info/www/bejne/npTEmYB5bLeAq9U 😄

[@michaelbenzehabe8207]

Erin, Thanks for the post. Homeschooling is H-A-R-D! But there are shortcuts. The best shortcut is creating hunger, presenting educational appetizers before introducing the class. Make them ask/beg for it. I spent a lot of money on cabinetry that hides all traces of a homeschool area. I under estimated the contempt my kids had for living in a constant classroom. If you can slide this door, fold-up that panel, and pull-down a graphic poster, it changes the mood immediately. Don't make your kids live in a classroom. Spend the extra money. Give them an escape. It made a world of difference for me.

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Would love to hear what you do to get them excited about topics! We don’t spend really any time in this room (other than piano). We call it our homeschool room because that’s where we keep all of our books/supplies but we don’t do any actual lessons in there. We learn all throughout the house and outside! ☺️

[@michaelbenzehabe8207]

@@TheEclecticHomeschooler One of my favorite memories was helping them beat the heat of summer, in their bedrooms. I told them if they could design an off-grid system, without auxiliary batteries, I would by the wiring, solar panel(s), and air conditioner. That prompted them to teach themselves, via KZbin channels, about cooling systems for off-grid tiny homes. They figured it out.

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

@@michaelbenzehabe8207 That is so cool!! 👏🏼

[@emilymare5905]

i really enjoy watching this! your videos give me a lot of peace. God bless you and your family! thank you for sharing your tips, you are really helping a lot.

[@allisonward6621]

I love this and your encouragement! It literally changed my attitude when I started listening to podcasts or audio books when I have to do dishes and the jobs I'm not as excited about. This has been a game changer!

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Yes!! Totally agree! ❤️

[@momofmany6619]

Love this video. I’m looking to do a homeschool/family room tidy and declutter during Christmas break.

[@d.zyned2thrive584]

I also enjoy listening to something while during chores, really helps make me feel better about it. I also cut social media. I use chrome tabs to access specific FB groups so that I never see my feed. 5 min in the evening and I'm caught up.

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Love that!

[@jillsaefkow204]

Chocolate is payment, are you kidding?! 😋🍫

[@abigailcarter4882]

Again thank you for such practical tips and reminding us of the gospel in all we do. Thankful for your channel n wisdom. X

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

You are so welcome

[@sarasali3077]

Thank you for the encouragement! We just started chore sticks for my 8 and 6 year old (I wrote out age appropriate chores on popsicle sticks) and they choose one every day Monday-Friday. We do family “sparkle Saturday.” Love it! I can keep up on the laundry and dishes through the week and not feel overwhelmed beyond recognition 😂

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

That is awesome!

[@Maria_O]

Chore sticks! How cute! ❤

[@katieanderson4353]

Wow! This is what I need in a channel!

[@lilysantana4869]

What a huge blessing your video was for me today I needed these tips and the word of God was just bonus amazingness. Thank you so much

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

So glad the video blessed you! God is good! 🙌

[@christinewalker9115]

We are studying isaiah at bible study fellowship. I just read that verse.

[@jillsaefkow204]

Please share your chore schedule!! I love gleaning and tweaking ideas from other mamas on thr same path as me with being SAH and homeschooling.

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Will do!! ❤️

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

In case you missed my chore video, here you go! kzbin.info/www/bejne/npTEmYB5bLeAq9U 😄

[@suzyp5430]

I would love to see how you tackle cleaning. Although, I would also like it if you can include how it looked when your kids were younger. I have 4 kids, ages 8 to 14 months, and cleaning is a struggle with the younger ones.

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

Noted! I’m working on a video about that soon! ☺️

[@SimplyLivingIt]

The comparison trap....YESSSSS! Everything you said there 👌

[@healthdetective1234]

Thank you for your great videos! I would be interested in learning more about how your family shares chores!

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

I’ve got a video about chores here: How Our Kids Do CHORES... Without Me Nagging! kzbin.info/www/bejne/npTEmYB5bLeAq9U

[@sarashipley3041]

Yes, chore video, please!

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

On my list now! :)

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

In case you missed my chore video, here you go! kzbin.info/www/bejne/npTEmYB5bLeAq9U 😄

[@Melissa-jq2qn]

I am very interested in a video on chores. We need to improve in that area!

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

In case you missed my chore video, here you go! kzbin.info/www/bejne/npTEmYB5bLeAq9U 😄

[@Melissa-jq2qn]

@@TheEclecticHomeschooler Thank you!

[@bakerbrewz]

Love all your tips and ideas, this is a great video and inspires me to be happy and grateful for where we are at in our journey as a growing family. I would be quite interested to hear how to handle chores in your household, I think that would be an interesting topic. The comparison trap is such a real thing! And with access to so much information out there it is too easy to compare and get in our own way. Thanks for putting this video together and sharing how you manage your home more.

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

❤️❤️

[@ceifaci]

Excellent!❤

[@tracybrennen3514]

I would love to know how you do chores in your family!

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

In case you missed my chore video, here you go! kzbin.info/www/bejne/npTEmYB5bLeAq9U 😄

[@jehangesta476]

Please please please make a video about how you do chores. It's a struggle for us.

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

On my list now! 😉

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

In case you missed it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/npTEmYB5bLeAq9U 😄

[@amymckellips]

I really like your tower with the large green bins. Where do you find that?

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

It’s from IKEA!

[@everbejoyful]

Getting off social media during the whole covid debacle was the best decision I ever made for my mental and emotional health. I’ve never gone back. Also, how do you decide what books to bring into your home library? We are a reading, literature based homeschool family and I want to buy ALL the books but I’m almost five years into our homeschool journey and my bookshelves are overflowing. Tips?

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

I totally feel you there! Books are the best! I try to limit the ones we buy each year to only ones we are going to need for an extended time, ones I really want to add to our collection, or ones I know that multiple kids will be reading for sure. Otherwise, I always have a list of books that we will be using from our curriculum and/or read alouds and check with our library first. If they have it, I don’t buy it. If they don’t have it, I suggest for them to purchase it, often they do. That way we get to read all the books but don’t have to buy and store them all!

[@Joypontious]

Would love a chore video

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

In case you missed my chore video, here you go! kzbin.info/www/bejne/npTEmYB5bLeAq9U 😄

[@Joypontious]

@@TheEclecticHomeschooler thank you!

[@madeforthis1558]

Did you get a real piano? Or is that a very convincing keyboard?

[@TheEclecticHomeschooler]

It’s a real piano! Almost 100 years old and keeps going out of tune, but my son loves it!