Balancing Business and Homeschooling: How a Loop Schedule Changed the Game!

 Hey there, fellow homeschooling mama in business! If you're anything like me, juggling entrepreneurship with homeschooling can sometimes feel like spinning plates at a circus. But don't worry, I've got a nifty trick up my sleeve that's changed the game – the loop schedule.

Chillin' with the Loop Schedule

So, what's this loop schedule all about? Well, it's a homeschooling approach where your Monday/Wednesday schedule is the same, and your Tuesday/Thursday schedule is the same. Fridays? Well, that's your wild card! You can plan field trips, fun projects, catch up on lessons you may have missed, watch movies/documentaries that are in line with what you’re teaching…the possibilities are endless! This simple idea has worked wonders for our homeschooling journey and given me the freedom to grow my business in ways I haven't before!

Keeping It Short and Sweet

Let's talk about one of the coolest perks – shorter school days. While some moms are worried that their school days aren’t long enough, I on the other hand am trying to make ours as short as possible! Let me clarify, I am all for learning, but I believe there are a billion other ways to learn outside of the textbooks and curriculum. And that’s the part we love most about homeschooling! With the loop schedule, we aren’t trying to squeeze every subject into one day.  Not only does keep each day short and sweet, but it also keeps our kiddos engaged and excited for the next time we get to explore each subject. 

Let’s be honest, our children’s attention spans are short. And if we’re being real honest, we can agree that they’re even shorter because they are schoolin’ at home. So, in order for me to get the most out of the attention they have to give, I don’t require more than 3 hours of sit-down-learning each day. 

How do I take advantage of those shorter school days? You guessed it, I dive into my business. Our loop schedule doesn’t just rotate subjects, we also rotate the time of day we do lessons. On Mondays and Wednesdays we school in the morning and on Tuesdays and Thursdays we school in the afternoon. This gives me the opportunity to conduct client calls/trainings in the mornings two days a week. Because we plan for this, our expectations are all managed and it means some mornings are slower than others and we enjoy the back and forth. It's like a magic time-management spell for mama entrepreneurs!

Life Skills and Passion Projects FTW

But hold on, the loop schedule isn't just about textbooks and exams. It's about raising well-rounded humans. Because we aren’t sitting at our dining room table all day doing lessons, we have time to throw in some life skills like cooking, video editing, and running an online bookshop! These skills are like secret weapons for their future.

This is what homeschooling is all about for us – filling our days with learning and doing the things we love most. Whether it's cooking, editing, or skateboarding, our kids get the freedom to chase their dreams. It's all part of nurturing their love for learning beyond what's in the books.

Diving into Diverse Subjects

Now, here's the real kicker. The loop schedule lets us dive into a broader range of subjects without getting overwhelmed. We do our two core subjects everyday - Language Arts (Reading/Writing) and Math. But on Mondays and Wednesdays we add in History and Art. Tuesdays and Thursdays? You’ll find us doing science experiments and creative writing. My oldest is also doing 15-20 mins of Duolingo Spanish Monday-Thursday and we also have a family read aloud we get in a few times a week. 

It's like having the best of both worlds. We cover a ton of ground without feeling like we're drowning in assignments. For a mama in business, that means I can expand my own knowledge while ensuring my kids get a well-rounded education.

Crafting Your Unique Loop Schedule

Here's the thing – the loop schedule is a tool, not a rigid rulebook. Tailor it to your family's vibe and what floats your boat. Think about your kids' learning styles, your business commitments, and what subjects truly matter to you. Flexibility is the name of the game here.

Let me end with this, being a mama in business while homeschooling can be a wild ride. But the loop schedule has become a trusty sidekick, offering shorter school days, chances to learn life skills and chase passions, and a balanced education without the chaos.

Remember, there's no one-size-fits-all approach. Feel free to tweak and adjust the loop schedule to fit your unique crew. With some creativity and dedication, you can grow your business and give your kids an awesome homeschooling experience at the same time. The loop schedule is your ticket to finding that sweet spot where motherhood and business collide! Go ahead and give it a whirl, mama!

Want more tips and strategy on how to navigate homeschooling and business? Check out my free training  [Mamas Do It Different] that I created just for ambitious and loving mamas like you!