{"id":62231,"date":"2021-01-19T10:01:24","date_gmt":"2021-01-19T15:01:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplehomeschool.net\/?p=62231"},"modified":"2026-02-12T18:01:10","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T23:01:10","slug":"shawna2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplehomeschool.net\/shawna2021\/","title":{"rendered":"Shawna’s homeschool day in the life (with a 15- and 18-year-old)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Shawna<\/a><\/p>\n

Shawna’s homeschool day in the life ~
\nWritten by Shawna Wingert of Different by Design Learning<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

This is my seventh year detailing our homeschool day in the life.<\/p>\n

My oldest son is turning eighteen in just four days. My youngest is reading now, despite a very long, hard struggle.<\/p>\n

Our homeschooling days are less hectic, and my boys work much more independently than ever before.<\/strong> I love it but, after reading my past day in the life posts I must admit, I also really miss being so much a part of their learning.<\/p>\n

\"Shawna's<\/p>\n

This particular day is only Day 2, back from a long and lazy holiday break. We are still trying to get back into routine. We are still a little cranky. We are doing our best.<\/p>\n

Shawna’s Homeschool Day In The Life<\/h2>\n

Morning<\/h3>\n

I wake up before the rest of the house, on purpose. After so many of years of barely making it through a cup of coffee in the morning before the needs of my boys took over, I have grown to love the peace of a quiet house each morning.<\/p>\n

I sip coffee, read, and begin to put together my to-do list for the day in three categories: work, homeschool, and house.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The list is too long. We are only in our second day back after break. The house is a disaster and I am anticipating some resistance<\/a> from my youngest today (by anticipating I mean pretty much planning on it).<\/p>\n

I decide to let most of the house stuff slide in favor of stabilizing our homeschool routine.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

My youngest comes downstairs, dressed and a little grumpy. He cuddles his dog while I make some oatmeal. We talk a bit about the day before, about a favorite song he listened to on Spotify before getting up, and then I set-up our plan for the day.<\/p>\n

He is unimpressed, but willing. So far, so good.<\/p>\n

My husband comes down next. Since he is working from home now and for the foreseeable future, our mornings are much slower.<\/p>\n

His departure for work was a kind of signal that my boys and I needed to begin our day.<\/strong> Without it, we all sort-of putter around a bit longer than I would prefer.<\/p>\n

My oldest calls for me and I head into his room to discuss the day (I bring him an iced coffee every morning. I’m afraid I have instilled in him my love for coffee and, I love sipping coffee together as he begins his day).<\/p>\n

\"Shawna<\/p>\n

For the final semester of his senior year, he is taking online classes through a local private school. He begins a government class this week, a requirement for graduation.<\/p>\n

Once he has his coffee and schedule for the day, I head back downstairs.<\/p>\n

My youngest is watching a YouTube video about poisonous substances with my husband, so I decide to get ready for the day just in time for lunch.<\/p>\n

As I go back into my room to get dressed, I pull laundry out of the dryer for my oldest to help fold (life skills!). I put it on my bed so I will have to get it done before I can sleep tonight.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Afternoon<\/h3>\n

After lunch, my husband heads upstairs. He is working late tonight and I am grateful he was able to spend the morning with us.<\/p>\n

My oldest logs into online school for government, a student meeting, and language arts.<\/p>\n

I try to rally my youngest to get started on his learning for the day.<\/p>\n

We begin with reading (his choice) a few pages from Harry Potter (his choice).<\/p>\n

We then move into an ongoing, hands-on anatomy study<\/a>\u00a0(afflink – see top photo)<\/em> we have been completing off and on throughout the year.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Because it is interactive, but not baby-ish, he is all in. (I take back what I said about resistance. He’s doing quite well…)<\/p>\n

We then take a break, in the form of rock climbing.<\/p>\n

His Christmas present this year was building his own rock climbing wall in our backyard. It was my Christmas present too, in many ways. This activity is a perfect way to help him move, relax, and get back on track for the day.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

When we come back inside, I try to get him back onto the computer for math. His brother also comes downstairs, finished up for the day, and they both decide to watch a few Modern Rogue videos. I let the math go in favor of interest-led learning.<\/p>\n

I make a cup of tea and pay some bills.<\/p>\n

\"Shawna<\/p>\n

Evening<\/h3>\n

Because my husband is working late, we pick-up Chipotle for dinner.<\/p>\n

The boys come with me, to get out of the house, and listen to music together while I run inside.<\/p>\n

We eat in front of the TV, watching a nature documentary about the jungle at night (their choice, but I’m into it as well).<\/p>\n

After a few more YouTube videos, we all head up to bed.<\/p>\n

I see this…<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

I decide to put it all back in the laundry basket.<\/p>\n

I tell myself it’s because I want my son to fold them with me and that I am a really good life skills teacher.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The truth is, I want to climb into bed and watch my own show.<\/p>\n

There will be plenty of time for laundry, and for more learning, tomorrow.<\/p>\n

My, how the days have changed:<\/h4>\n