Coffee, Chaos, and Curriculum
March 12th
A Day in the Life of a Homeschooling Mompreneur
Being a single mom is a juggling act. Add in homeschooling and running your own business, and it can feel like you're wrangling calves while balancing buckets on a rickety fence!. But fear not, fellow mompreneurs! There is a path to sanity (or at least a semblance of it) in this whirlwind. Let's take a peek into a day in my life and explore some tips for conquering the chaos.
The Great Awakening (6:00 AM):
There's no snoozing in with this crew. My kids are up and at 'em well before the rooster crows. They have more energy than a herd of calves in spring. Mornings are a lively mix of clinking cereal bowls, misplaced boots, and the inevitable question, "Are you going to the office today, Mom?" Their hopeful smiles dim a little like sunflowers drooping without sunshine when I answer with a yes. Thankfully, a little planning goes a long way. Prepping breakfast the night before, setting up a boot rack, and having a solid morning routine helps keep things from getting too chaotic.
The Carpool Chaos (7:00 AM):
The breakfast frenzy subsides as we pile into the car. The symphony of clanging cereal bowls is replaced by the morning news blaring from the radio and a chorus of "Are we there yet?"s from the backseat. The hour and fifteen minute ride to the office stretches before us, a whirlwind of questions, snack requests, and the occasional singalong. Despite the controlled chaos, it's a chance to connect with the boys before the day truly starts.
I juggle snacks and pick a delicate balance for the audio. Upbeat tunes keep the energy high for the first leg, while I sneak in an earbud for a quick self-growth or business podcast. (Maybe they won't notice if the volume's low enough?) This ride is our time together, and the miles fly by in a blur of backseat chatter, stolen moments of connection, and a dash of adult learning for me.
The Juggle (8:00 AM - 11:00 AM):
This is the heart of our homeschooling marathon. "The Good and the Beautiful" curriculum provides a solid foundation, and we tackle core subjects like math, language arts, and history. However, this is also prime client call time. The morning symphony transforms - clattering keyboards replace cereal bowls, and the soundtrack is a mix of educational videos and my focused voice handling client concerns. Tech glitches and business questions inevitably pop up, sometimes mid-lesson, prompting mini-explanations about how I make sure the "techs" are doing their jobs. (Maybe someday they'll be the ones tackling these calls!) Flexibility is key. We weave in "Hooked on Phonics" for the youngest, leaving room for rabbit trails inspired by current events or sudden bursts of curiosity. It's a balancing act, but somehow, the lessons get done, the clients get served, and we all learn something new (hopefully not just about dropped calls!).
Fueling Up and Gearing Down (11:00 AM - 12:00 PM):
Lunchtime! Sandwiches devoured, the boys are off on an adventure. Sometimes it's a backyard picnic, other days they transform the parking lot into a battleground for an epic game of army. Meanwhile, I grab a quick bite at my desk, catching up on emails and tasks that require focused attention – a luxury missed during our morning juggle. This stolen hour is a lifeline, allowing me to tackle some solo work before diving back in.
The Mompreneur Hustle (12:00 PM - 3:00 PM):
While the kids tackle independent projects or have some downtime, I dive into my business. This might involve working on client projects, marketing my brand, or tackling social media. Here's where scheduling is key. I block out focused work time and stick to it (as much as possible) to maximize productivity
The Final Bell (3:00 PM - 6:00 PM):
Three o'clock marks the end of our homeschooling marathon. Backpacks and bike helmets replace textbooks and pencils as we race home. Simple meals are the order of the night – crockpot creations or sheet-pan dinners become our heroes. This allows for some quality family time around the table, a chance to debrief on the day's adventures (or mishaps!).
But the fun doesn't stop there. Dinner might be followed by a family gardening session, the boys zooming around on their bikes, anxiously awaiting the return of the neighborhood kids from public school. Some evenings, we cook together, while others involve a quick stop to lend Papa a hand with his livestock. It's a chance to trade the lessons of the day for the lessons of the land, creating new memories under the setting sun.
The Afterglow (6:00 PM - 8:00 PM):
The sun dips below the horizon, painting the sky in fiery hues. As the day's adventures wind down, dinnertime chatter fades into the comfort of familiar routines. Story time beckons, and we huddle under a blanket fort constructed with expert engineering (and maybe a rogue couch cushion or two). Tonight's tales might involve epic battles in fantastical video game worlds, daring escapes from Minecraft mobs, or the adventures of their favorite comic book heroes. These evenings are pure gold – a chance to connect with the boys on a level beyond lessons and chores. Laughter fills the air as board games erupt into mini-tournaments, each victory met with gleeful shouts and playful bragging rights. Other nights, a movie night provides a shared escape into a world of action and thrills. These moments, tucked into the heart of a busy day, are the quiet treasures that create lasting memories. It's a time to simply be together, a reminder of the pure joy found in the everyday adventures.
The Soothing Soak (8:00 PM - 10:00 PM):
With the boys tucked in for the night, the house finally settles. This is my stolen slice of serenity, a chance to unwind and recharge after the whirlwind day. A good book beckons, its pages promising a world of escape. Or perhaps a luxurious bubble bath awaits, scented candles flickering with a warm glow. These quiet moments of self-care, whether it's reading, indulging in a soothing soak, or simply enjoying a cup of herbal tea, are essential. They replenish my spirit and allow me to face the next adventure, whatever it may bring, with renewed energy and a smile.
Remember, this is just a glimpse into one day. The beauty of homeschooling and running your own business is the flexibility. Some days will be more structured, others may require more improvisation. The key is to embrace the chaos, find a system that works for you, and most importantly, celebrate the incredible journey of being a mompreneur!
Tips for Organized Chaos:
Plan ahead: Schedule your homeschool lessons and business tasks in advance.
Batch similar tasks: Work on emails or marketing materials in one go.
Utilize downtime: Delegate chores or outsource tasks when possible.
Embrace flexibility: Things won't always go according to plan. Be prepared to adapt.
Don't forget self-care: Schedule time for yourself, even if it's just 15 minutes for a walk or a relaxing bath.
Being a single mom who homeschools and runs a business is tough, but it's also incredibly rewarding. By embracing organization and a little bit of chaos, you can have a thriving family life and a successful business – all on your own terms.
Coffee, Crayons, and Commerce:
It all begins with an idea.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.
Blog Post Title Three
It all begins with an idea.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.
Blog Post Title Four
It all begins with an idea.
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.