Even after a few years (we're on 3rd year) we still change our schedule regularly. I am not an organized person, but we seem to have fallen into the following:

Early risers, just naturally this way, so have gotten up and breakfasted by 8 most days. School (on the computer right now) until about 10, take a break, have a snack or lunch, then finish anything on the computer not completed. Long lunch (usually an hour). Outings, chores, "extras" for school (additional history, science, art) 2-3 days a week. We do have Art on Wednesday with a local schooling group, and a homeschool Yoga class on Thursdays - so generally TH is our "social" day with no other formal schooling. Two Fridays a month we have a field trip/park day with a group, so those are "light" or no school days. Monday and Tuesday are our "heavy" days for school and chores. Sunday I go to the grocery early and alone Saturday is typically family day since my DH works a traditional 9-5 job (which is more like 8-7!)

So I guess we school in the morning 3-4 days a week, pretty much year-round. We can't seem to go for more than a week, maybe two, without schooling because we all are ready for some structure after that, even as loosely as we are structured.

I think my "me" time is mostly when we have our outings with groups, as well as in the afternoon. Because my kids are close in age, they entertain each other pretty well, leaving me to email, read, play games, talk on the phone as I like - most days.

We are in our 15th year of homeschooling and every year has been different! I don't use a formal schedule because we don't have a scheduled life. Right now we are fairly scheduled because I am a full-time student a t U of A so, every semester changes depending on my class schedule.

So, this semester (which starts next week for me) I will be gone from the house MWF from 6:30 am until 7PM then I have to make dinner, check my son's work and do my own homework. On Mondays and Fridays my son will have to do independent work. Wednesdays are his days off. Tues, Thurs and Saturdays are our hands-on days ,just half a day, and then I spend about 6 hours each day doing my own homework. I also have to do an internship in the public schools this semester. Sometimes my son comes to U of A with me and he loves it!

Last semester was easier because I was only gone on T and TH. We will do a lot over the summer months to make up for time I am in school.

I usually get up between 6 and 7:30 a.m. Just depends on what my husband's work schedule is. If he's gone early (around 3 a.m.) I don't wake up till later. But if he leaves later or is working at home for the day I usually get up at 6 and have breakfast with him and chat after I do my personal devotional time. I make sure my son is up by 8 (he sets his own alarm) and eats breakfast and dresses unless we're having a pajama day. We start by 8:30. Our exercise time together is in the morning to break up the book work. We usually go walking or do some other kind of circuit exercises. Then back to book work until 11 which is lunch time. After lunch which is anytime between 11:30 and 12 we'll come back together and read for a half an hour. Then it's time to finish anything up. On Fridays we have an enrichment co-op at my church in the morning and a science and art co-op that meets there as well in the afternoon. So Fridays are not typical school days.

I'm pretty relaxed with our routine. If something comes up like a medical appointment or I have to run errands (I prefer to run them earlier in the day when there isn't as much traffic) we'll adjust our schedule as necessary.

It's interesting to see all the different homeschooling styles and schedules.

Kendra

All these different answers are so encouraging - to know that it doesn't matter at all how you do it so long as it works for you and your family!! I'll be sure to try and not stress about this part!!!! Thanks!

We are a very scheduled home. Have been ever since my kiddos were babies. They always did so good on a schedule. Plus I think it has helped them be so much better behaved, because they always know what is going to happen, their days are not constantly changing. It doesn't work for everyone, but it works great for us. That's not to say we don't have our unscheduled days. ;-) We enjoy our relaxed laid back weekends. ;-)

5:30 I wake up almost every morning (sometimes I hit the snooze 1-2x), have coffee and devotions.
6:30-7:30 then workout.
8am breakfast together (except daddy, who works in the back bedroom office).
8:30 kids do piano lessons and brush teeth, while I shower and do hair/makeup.
9:00 start school (Bible, handwriting, reading, math, language, spelling, 50 states, video learning etc) With 15 min break every 45 min. Usually done by 11:45 or 12.
12 or 12:30 Lunch
1:30-5 free time. Mommy cleans, kids do chores as needed along with playtime or free reading. Tue we have piano lessons. This is also the time we might have friends over to play, do errends in town.
5:00 Supper
6:00 bath time or pick up rooms
7:00 Story time followed by quite time
8:00 Lights are usually out by this time. I plan my day out for the next day. I have a printout that has my daily schedule, plus the kids, I write in what subjects we will work on the next day (we usually rotate on some of them every other day). I also plan all foods I plan to put in my mouth the next day (while enjoying a cup of white or black tea). Works like a charm.

And there you have it our day. :-)

I seem to be able to handle my out of control cravings and lack of self control (with food at night) when I am on a strict schedule. So glad it is working right now in our life. Every few months things seem to switch around, but some things stay the same. Right now, this is what works.