{"id":65635,"date":"2025-01-14T06:00:08","date_gmt":"2025-01-14T11:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplehomeschool.net\/?p=65635"},"modified":"2026-02-12T18:00:17","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T23:00:17","slug":"ambers-homeschool-day-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplehomeschool.net\/ambers-homeschool-day-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Amber\u2019s Homeschool Day in the Life (with a 9-, 11-, 13- and 15-year-old)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Amber's<\/a><\/p>\n

Amber\u2019s Homeschool Day in the Life (with a 9-,11-, 13-, and 15-year-old) ~\u00a0<\/em>
\nWritten by Amber O\u2019Neal Johnston<\/strong><\/a> from\u00a0Heritage Mom<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Two years ago, I was recuperating from a life-threatening illness.<\/p>\n

Last year, I was caretaking for my sister as she bravely battled breast cancer.<\/p>\n

This year, I intended to write about the bountiful and beautiful homeschool days we\u2019d finally reclaimed.<\/p>\n

Before I could even begin, my mom was diagnosed with kidney cancer.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Thankfully, we\u2019d just moved her across the country to be near us\u2014what providence! Still, this week alone, I\u2019ve spent at least four hours each day in doctors\u2019 offices or hospitals for her outpatient procedures. I find myself constantly torn between being fully present as a homeschooling mom to my four children (ages 9 to 15) and a daughter determined to surround her mother with love and care.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t claim to have figured out the balancing act, but I\u2019m living both roles\u2014messily, but faithfully.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a glimpse into a recent day when I happened to be home all day.<\/p>\n

Amber’s Homeschool Day in the Life (with a 9-, 11-, 13- and 15-year-old)<\/h2>\n

5:30 AM: A Healthy Start<\/strong><\/p>\n

The alarm goes off early, and I head to the gym with my husband and our oldest. Recently, she\u2019s developed a strong interest in health and wellness, and I couldn\u2019t be more excited to share this passion with her. These early morning car rides provide rare, uninterrupted time for the three of us to connect.<\/p>\n

After our workout, we return home around 7:00 AM, eat breakfast together, and she heads upstairs to shower and dive into her schoolwork. Many of her lessons are now online as she pursues dual enrollment credits<\/strong><\/a>, so my role is less hands-on teacher and more guidance counselor and cheerleader\u2014a transition I\u2019m savoring.<\/p>\n

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

8:00 AM: Morning Hustle<\/strong><\/p>\n

The rest of the kids start waking up, drawn by the smell of piping hot oatmeal topped with bananas, strawberries, and cinnamon, plus scrambled eggs and toast. As they settle in, I read the Bible, lead a prayer, and dive into our morning time routine: hymn, poetry, picture study, and two read-alouds.<\/p>\n

Morning time is the heart of our homeschool, anchoring us before the inevitable interruptions.<\/strong><\/p>\n

9:00 AM: Independent Lessons<\/strong><\/p>\n

After morning time, I go over math lessons with my 11- and 13-year-olds, who then work through their independent subjects. They pop in and out of the kitchen to ask questions or (more likely) pester each other. Meanwhile, I stay at the table with my 9-year-old.<\/p>\n

Though he can now read his schoolbooks on his own\u2014a huge milestone\u2014he still likes me to be close by. With everything going on, he\u2019s been clamoring for extra attention, and I\u2019m happy to give it to him.<\/p>\n

Midday: The Gift of Community<\/strong><\/p>\n

By late morning, my youngest two wrap up lessons, and they head outside to play with friends\u2014three similarly-aged boys who recently moved in across the street. Homeschool recess is alive and well, no matter the weather!<\/p>\n

Watching their friendships blossom has been a reminder of the beauty of community and \u201cneighborly relations,\u201d as old folks used to say.<\/strong><\/p>\n

While the boys are outside and the girls are immersed in personal projects\u2014journaling, reading, sewing, or painting their nails\u2014I grab a couple of hours to work on launch materials for my upcoming book, Soul School<\/em><\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n

With its release just weeks away, this season is busier than usual, but it\u2019s fulfilling to know this project will soon reach families everywhere.<\/p>\n

4:00 PM: Dinner Prep<\/strong><\/p>\n

By late afternoon, as the kids wind down from their activities, I shift gears to focus on preparing dinner. I love cooking when I\u2019m not rushed, so I\u2019ve learned to start prepping dinner early. While chopping vegetables and gathering ingredients, I listen to gospel music. My husband eventually joins me in the kitchen after wrapping up in his home office.<\/p>\n

I relish these moments of casual chatting as I transition to my evening chill mode.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dinner is a simple but hearty meal\u2014sweet potato and peanut soup and arugula salad. I\u2019ve learned that food doesn\u2019t have to be fancy to bring everyone to the table, and in our home, the dinner table is sacred.<\/p>\n

6:00 PM: Family Dinner<\/strong><\/p>\n

We all gather around the table, sharing stories from the day. I listen as the kids talk about their lessons, the latest escapades in the neighborhood, or random musings about life. It\u2019s my favorite part of the day\u2014a chance to connect and laugh together.<\/p>\n

After dinner, the kids rotate through their kitchen duties. Tonight, my 13-year-old is in charge of cleaning up. She\u2019s blasting her favorite musical soundtrack, loudly singing along while scrubbing dishes.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s chaotic, and the volume is a bit overwhelming, but I love that she brings so much joy to even the most mundane tasks.<\/p>\n

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

Evening Wind-Down<\/strong><\/p>\n

With the kitchen clean and the day winding down, the kids scatter to their own spaces. My younger two are playing Forbidden Island <\/strong><\/a>(afflink), my 13-year-old is sketching in her notebook, and my oldest is re-decorating her room. I sneak away to tidy my room, reset for tomorrow, and squeeze in a little planning for the week ahead.<\/p>\n

Around 9:00 PM, I tuck in my youngest, curled up with his Kindle, and tell the older three goodnight. I used to be the one tucking everyone into bed, but now I\u2019m often the first to call it a night.<\/p>\n

Reflections Before Bed<\/strong><\/p>\n

As I climb into bed, my thoughts drift to the week\u2019s challenges. Caring for my mom, homeschooling my kids, and keeping up with work as an author and speaker sometimes feels like juggling flaming swords. But as I look back on this day, I\u2019m reminded that \u201cnormal\u201d doesn\u2019t mean easy or without trial.<\/p>\n

Homeschooling isn\u2019t an Instagram reel or a perfectly curated highlight.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s messy, imperfect, and real. It\u2019s sitting down to math lessons while your heart is heavy with worry for your mom. It\u2019s saying yes to extra cuddles from a child who needs your attention. It\u2019s showing your kids how to sacrifice and love when life feels overwhelming.<\/p>\n

I know I\u2019ll look back on this season and see the lessons my kids learned about resilience, service, and the beauty of doing life together, no matter how chaotic it feels. So, I \u201ccount it all joy\u201d and embrace this season for what it is\u2014a chance to live out love and learning, one imperfect day at a time.<\/p>\n

Encouragement for You<\/strong><\/p>\n

To the moms who feel like they\u2019re at the frayed end of the rope, I see you. You\u2019re not alone, and you\u2019re doing an incredible job. We\u2019ve got this, together.<\/p>\n

Tomorrow\u2019s another day, and we\u2019ll rise to meet it\u2014mess and all.<\/p>\n

My, how the days have changed:<\/h3>\n