Simblissity: Blissful Homeschool Essentials (part 5)

It's probably the most simple thing on the list, but it is absolutely essential to having days that run smoothly, days without huge interruptions, days that don't end with mama in tears: a menu plan.

It is the sentence most commonly known to make women across the world snap: "Mom, what's for dinner?" You were starting to feel pretty good about having survived that school day, weren't you? It was touch and go for a while, but no one died and you were finally going to put two coherent thoughts together for a second. And then...you realized your children needed to eat. Again.

Going to the store is out because you are still in yesterday's pajamas. There are Ramen noodles and canned peas and carrots, but the children will mutiny if you try that again. What to do?

Menu Plan.

I know, I know. I get it, I do. You are a free spirit, a rebel. You can't be tied down with trivialities like which main dish for which meal of the week. Homeschooling requires a bit of a rebel spirit, which is why I think this is such a common problem for so many of us. But trust me; it's worth it.

And I'll tell you a trick: if you cook meals on different days than what your plan says, you still get a twinge of the rebel thrill without the chaos of not having a plan at all.

Here is the plan I use for my family. I'd love to share it with you.

*for the record, we are not eating Grandma & Grandpa on Sunday. We're eating with them.

We choose meals together for the upcoming week. I write the ingredients I need to shop for in the side column and take it with me to the store. Once home, the page goes on the fridge where we can all see what to expect for the week. Or do we?

This marks the end of the Homeschool Essentials Blog Hop. There were 89 bloggers sharing 5 days of ideas, which could have you reading for a very long time. Well worth it!