Next up in our “Homeschooling Day in the Life” series is Heather Rashall, board Vice President. She is a mom of 4 who has been homeschooling for 12 years. She is also one of the founders of Prudentia Classical Academy, which is a classical Christian hybrid school serving the Lake Charles area. Here is a peek into what a typical homeschool day looks like for her family!

After almost twelve years of homeschooling, I can honestly say I still have not arrived. What in the world does that mean? Well, for this mom of four, it means the beautiful truth of the Gospel has been continually revealed to me throughout this journey. Early in our homeschool, I led myself to believe that the longer I did this thing the easier it would become and at some point I could switch to autopilot and enjoy the ride. (Insert hilarious laughing emoji.) What the Lord has been gracious to show me instead is that He created each of our children different, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. One of the gifts of homeschooling them has been the ability to cater to those strengths and weaknesses. Although there is no autopilot, He has equipped me to stay the course and for all the twists and turns along the way.

At the time I am writing this, we have a Senior, Junior, and two middle schoolers (8th and 7th). Our homeschool journey has covered many different curriculums over the years including Sonlight, Veritas Press, Math U See, All About Reading, and Saxon Math to name a few. We have also been building a home library of beautiful, rich literature. After being introduced to classical Christian education, my husband and I knew from early on that we desired this type of education for our children but that I would be the sole teacher. Throughout the years, our family has taken part in several co-ops and homeschool activity groups always working toward the goal of educating classically.

Since 2020, we have been part of Prudentia, a homeschool hybrid academy. This current school year, our oldest two began taking dual enrollment classes at the local university along with online classes to round out their course work. I am no longer their “teacher” but have shifted roles to serve more as a mentor. This is a transition we’ve slowly been working through since they’ve started high school, with the gift of other teachers and online classes for most of their subjects. For our youngest two (7th and 8th), I am one of their classroom teachers on our two academy days and homeschool mom Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. This brings me to what a typical homeschool day looks like for us. 

Here is a peek into our current schedule mid-school year.

Monday Morning

Mom wakes up early (5:00 a.m.) for quiet time and exercise. If I don’t get it in early it is almost guaranteed that neither will happen. Big girls are up early getting ready for their day. They’ve developed their own morning routines which I love to see. It gives me such confidence for the future. 

Mom makes some sort of a start to breakfast and then gets dressed for the day. 

Once the younger two are up and have had breakfast, we start our day together with devotion, currently reading through Romans, prayer, and practicing recitation (memory work). After our time together, they begin lessons on their own and I assist in the subjects they need help with. This is where the strengths and weaknesses shine forth. I love that even at this age, I have the privilege of working individually to give them their greatest chance at success in areas they are struggling. This is the time I also begin working on my to-do list. Anyone else have a perpetual to-do list? This could include lesson planning, house work or virtual meetings. 

We do literature together most days before lunch. Our 7th and 8th graders are in the same cycle of history this year so we can work together on most of their subjects, with the exception of Math. 

Timeline – Church History

Literature- Robin Hood

Writing – Writing and Rhetoric (Classical Academic Press)

Logic – The Art of Argument (Classical Academic Press)

Math – Saxon

Latin – Memoria Press (they work together on this subject)

Mid-day

Lunch is not a sit down time but we are all typically in the kitchen together at the same time. The big girls come home from classes and we catch up on how their morning went and any assignments coming due. Piano practice seems to happen during this time of day also. 

Afternoon

Our 8th grader has an online Math class in the afternoon and this gives me a little extra time with our 7th grader before piano lessons later in the afternoon. 

Monday – piano for both younger kids, the big girls lessons are Thursday afternoons.

Wednesdays are much more relaxed without any activities outside the house until the evening.  

Chores are also done in the afternoon unless the weather is good and then the chores wait.

Evening 

Between the four kids, this time of year, we have ballet, basketball, tennis several evenings a week and youth group Wednesday. I start dinner most evenings by 4:00/4:30 or it’s leftovers for us. On the evenings we’re home together, we try to be intentional in our conversations with the kids and have devotion time, which this time of year includes readings for Lent. 

Well, this covers the basics of a typical day. In all transparency, one of my greatest challenges with our homeschooling currently is being intentional with our down time. When the kids were all younger it was much easier to just let them play outside or get together with friends for activities after our school work. As they have all gotten older, however, our family dynamics have changed. With busy schedules and many in our friend groups having become much busier or no longer homeschooling, it makes being intentional and planning ahead more essential. Even though the kids have interests and hobbies, community at this age is very important. We are working through it but the struggle is real. A word of encouragement to all you moms of homeschoolers. Take heart. The Lord continues to show his faithfulness and goodness in this work he has called me to. It is not easy but it IS worth it. Your kids are worth it!