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How to Create a Cleaning Schedule as a Homeschool Mum

As a homeschool mum, you juggle many roles — educator, caregiver, chef, and housekeeper, to name a few. With the added responsibility of teaching your children at home, it can be challenging to maintain a clean and organised environment. However, a well-structured cleaning schedule can make a significant difference in managing household tasks while ensuring that your homeschooling efforts remain a priority.

Assess Your Space and Needs

Before diving into creating a cleaning schedule, take some time to assess your home and your specific cleaning needs. Consider the following:

1. The Size of Your Home: If you have a larger home, you may need to allocate more time to cleaning. Conversely, a smaller space may require less frequent deep cleaning.

2. The Number of Children: More children often mean more mess. Take into account how many children you have and their ages, as this influences how quickly your home gets cluttered.

3. Daily Activities: Assess the areas in your home that you frequent most during your homeschooling activities. Common spaces may require more attention than others.

Set Realistic Goals

It’s essential to set realistic cleaning goals. Rather than trying to do everything in one day, break tasks into manageable sections. Aim for consistency rather than perfection, allowing yourself the flexibility to adapt the schedule as necessary.

Create a Daily and Weekly Cleaning Schedule

Daily Tasks

Incorporate daily cleaning tasks that are easy to maintain and prevent dirt build-up. Consider the following:

• Morning Routine: Make the beds, tidy bedrooms, and wipe down surfaces in frequently used rooms.
• Meal Prep and Cleanup: Implement a cleaning routine in the kitchen — wash and dry dishes after each meal, and wipe down counters daily.
• Laundry: Do a load of laundry each day to prevent it from piling up. Involve the children in folding and putting their clothes away.
• Homeschool Area: At the end of your school day, have the children help clean up the homeschool space, putting away books and supplies.

Weekly Tasks

Allocate specific days for weekly deep-cleaning tasks. Here’s a suggested breakdown:

• Monday: Dust and vacuum living areas.
• Tuesday: Clean bathrooms — scrubbing toilets, sinks, and showers.
• Wednesday: Tidy and mop kitchen floors; clean appliances like the microwave.
• Thursday: Change bed linens and do a general tidy-up of all bedrooms.
• Friday: Organise and declutter common areas (living room, playroom).
• Saturday: Yard work or take care of special projects (cleaning cupboards, organising toys).
• Sunday: Family clean-up day — engage everyone in tidying the house, making it a fun activity with music involved.

Meal Planning and Cleaning

To streamline both cooking and cleaning, consider meal planning. Dedicate time each week to decide on meals, create a shopping list, and prepare some meals in advance. This not only saves time but keeps the kitchen more manageable.

Involve Your Children

Involve your children in the cleaning schedule. Assign age-appropriate tasks to teach them responsibility and the importance of keeping a tidy home. Here are some ideas:

• Younger children can help with toy organisation and sorting laundry.
• Older children can take on more substantial tasks, such as vacuuming, dusting, or helping with meal prep.

Make cleaning fun by integrating games or music, turning chores into an enjoyable activity rather than a mundane task.

Stay Flexible

No matter how well you plan, be prepared for interruptions or changes to your schedule. Homeschooling can be unpredictable, and some days, the focus may need to shift away from cleaning. Adapt your cleaning schedule as necessary, ensuring it complements rather than hinders your homeschooling efforts.

Conclusion

Creating a cleaning schedule as a homeschool mum doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By assessing your needs, setting realistic goals, and involving your children, you can maintain an organised home that supports your educational environment. Remember, it’s about creating structure, but also allowing yourself room to be flexible — after all, balance is key to a happy household!