Among the many things that relatives of homeschoolers should know, according to a blog called Preschoolers and Peace, is that “housekeeping and homeschooling is mutually exclusive”. Many homeschooling moms start the day trying to decide if they should concentrate on homeschooling or housekeeping. Homeschooling often wins and the house is usually a mess.
It is nearly impossible to keep a house clean and to homeschool children. After all, the children are there… always there. How can you have a clean kitchen with science experiments on the counter? How can you vacuum a carpet with children underfoot? How do you sort a child’s room with the child’s body guarding their junk that they would have never missed if you gave away?
In addition to just having kids in the way, or having the room immediately destroyed when you are done cleaning, the time you spend cleaning, is time away from teaching. After about 2 years of homeschooling all day, and cleaning all evening, my husband sat me down and asked me what my priorities were. Was it more important for me to clean the house or to homeschool the children? After careful consideration, I decided that while I wanted the house clean, my time was better spent teaching. To keep the house from turning into a complete disaster area, he hired a housekeeper.
A strange thing happened once we got the house under control. (Notice I said under control, but not clean… it still does not stay clean). Time was actually cleared up for me to pursue other interests. Because I know Miss Elizabeth would come by once a week to clean, I worried less about the state of the house and no longer spent my evenings cleaning and fussing. Instead, we all just pick up behind ourselves, out of courtesy to the cleaner, and I have spare time to follow my own interests. I increased the amount of time I spend writing and the income more than covers the cost of the cleaning.
Now I am less stressed. My husband and the kids do not avoid me in the evenings. I have time to do my own thing. In addition, Miss Elizabeth has gainful employment.
If hiring a housekeeper is not in your budget:
Do you do you keep a clean home and find time for family? Participate in this forum.
Can you get your children to do chores?
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