Balancing Homeschooling, Family Time, and Extracurricular Activities

One of our goals as parents is to raise well-rounded children that will grow up to be confident adults. So how do we do that? We educate them and provide them with opportunities to experience the world in different capacities. Through these opportunities, some children develop a passion for things such as art, golf, history, or technology. 

But how do we balance it all? How do we make sure our kids are achieving their academic goals, developing and maintaining relationships with others, and also participating in activities beyond their academics?

Following these practical steps will help you and your family establish a well-balanced schedule that incorporates homeschooling, family time, and extracurricular activities. 

Step 1: Set priorities as a family.

1. Make a list of all the academic subjects, family activities, and extracurricular activities your child(ren) participate in.
   • Examples:
     • Academic Subjects: Reading, Writing, Math, Science, Social Studies
     • Family Activities/Outings: Dinner time, Game night, movie night, religious activities, visiting family, park visits, vacations
     • Extracurricular activities: Baseball, dance, horseback riding, tennis, art, exercise, piano, cooking class
2. Establish the academic subjects, family activities, and extracurricular activities that are non-negotiable. These might vary depending on your family's specific likes and needs.
   • These non-negotiable subjects and activities will be established as your highest priority activities as a family.
3. Discuss the rest of the activities as a family and place them in priority order from most important/non-negotiable to least important.
   • Things to Consider:
     • Has/have your child(ren) complained about being involved in too many extracurricular activities? Have they complained about disliking an activity or being bored? 
     • Do they have free time during their day/week?
     • Are your child(ren)'s extracurricular activities affecting their sleep, mood, academics, or relationships with others?
     • Does your child often share how they would like to try a new sport or hobby?

Step 2: Set a Schedule.

1. Establish a wake-up time and bedtime for everyday of the week.
   • Things to Consider:
     • Are your child’s wake-up time and bedtime affecting their daily activities?
     • What days of the week and times of the day will your family focus on academics?
     • What days of the week or times of the day does your family have established for family activities?
     • What days of the week and times of the day does your child have established for their extracurricular activities?
2.  Begin scheduling in academic subjects, family time, and extracurricular activities from your priority list in Step 1.
   • Quick tips:
     • Start from non-negotiable/most important and finish at least important.
     • Consider scheduling challenging academic subjects in the morning and an enjoyable activity right after.
     • Involve your child(ren) in the making/designing of the schedule. Use pictures, clip art, poster board, and/or art materials.
     • Design your schedule so that it’s easy to modify if needed. You might want to consider using Velcro to easily remove activities around.

Step 3: Analyze your family’s schedule.

1. As a family, take a closer look at each activity, subject, and extracurricular activity on your schedule and discuss it.
   • Quick Tips:
     • Discuss each day, time, and activity.
     • Discuss the importance of each item on the schedule.
     • Discuss unforeseen circumstances in which schedule cannot be followed.
     • Discuss circumstances in which schedule will be modified.
     • Listen to your child’s concerns (if any) and modify the schedule if needed.

Step 4: Follow the schedule!

This might seem like the easiest step but as a busy family trying to balance it all, it might not be!

• Quick Tips:
• Display your family schedule so that it’s easily accessible to all family members.
• Stay consistent but be flexible. Pay attention to any changes (positive or negative) in your child’s mood, sleeping patterns, academics, and relationships with others.
• Modify your family’s schedule as needed. As your child’s needs and likes change, so will your family schedule.

For more homeschooling tips, ideas, and virtual tutoring check us out HERE!

Need ideas on designing a schedule? Check these out!