The Truth About Homeschool Hours: Why You Don’t Always Need 6 Hours a Day

Many times, I have set up hourly and block schedules to get us going with our homeschool day. It can be a blessing to help keep you on track. I currently have one now, and it helps the children to know what is going on and what they need to be doing in their day.

However, while I have schedules put in place, it doesn’t mean that it all has to be sit-down education or that we have to be married to that schedule. IT’S A GUIDE.

In today’s blog post, I wanted to talk about the truth about the hours it takes to homeschool. While it may be necessary for a traditional school setting, in homeschooling, you don’t always need 6 hours a day.

Now, of course, it can depend on the grade of your student, and sometimes it requires more than 6 hours, yet if you have a newbie just starting in kindergarten, you are not going to 6 hours a day for their learning.

Also, it’s necessary to check with your state to see if there is a requirement for a certain number of daily hours to comply legally with your state.

If you are under an umbrella school that doesn’t have mandatory hourly requirements, or your state doesn’t have this as part of its homeschool laws, then you have the flexibility to adjust accordingly as you see fit.

You’re Not Failing if Your Homeschool Day Is Shorter

Now, while all of us moms want our children to get the best education, we can also beat ourselves up a lot.

When you first go into homeschooling, you may be concerned with how you will get everything done. If you work outside of the home, have other children, or have to change the schedule for the day, you may feel that you won't get everything done in your homeschool planner.

I do know how that feels. I always wondered how kids had time to do electives or other classes outside of their main classes.

If the kids were to have any kind of choices for their classes, they would be homeschooling even more than 6 hours.

However, it has taken me many years to learn that homeschool doesn’t have to be public school.  You don’t have to have the pressure of a certain standard that everyone else might be following.

It's ok to be flexible in your day. It's ok to do some subjects and then some electives, or it's ok if you use videos or field trips for your learning. Those things don't always require a full day.

If you have to run an errand that you didn't plan, or a child is sick and you can't get all the lessons done with the other child, there is always another day. Adjust accordingly and just roll with it, mama; they will get it. That is why I also like having a makeup day, if need be.

Even if you don't, the kids will always get it in later. So don't worry about it.

Public School Hours Don’t Equal Learning Hours

In traditional public schools, there are many children to teach and numerous events that occur throughout the day, all of which take up time.

Public schools spend a lot of time changing between classes, managing groups of kids, doing lunch, and doing other non-teaching activities throughout the day.

This can eat up a lot of teaching time with their students.

However, in homeschooling, you are able to focus directly on teaching your kids and them being able to learn without all the extra stuff that is required in traditional school.

So your child is able to accomplish more in less time.  It also gives them more time to focus on the fun things they want to learn.

Real Learning Happens All Day (Not Just During “School Time”)

As in my last post, Real Life Learning in Homeschool: Teaching outside of Textbooks

learning can come in many colors, shapes, and sizes.

As children go throughout their day, they are always learning in everyday activities. Cooking, gardening, reading aloud, and even running errands, such as to the grocery store, can benefit your children’s education.

There is always going to be time for school curriculums and different programs, don’t underestimate the learning that children get in everyday life.

Shorter Days Keep Kids (and Moms) from Burning Out

As I said earlier, if your child is older, such as a high school student, they may require longer days to get all the basic studies done.  Though if you have younger children, and some days even our older ones need a shorter day or a break in between the day.

If you have a lot of things going on at different periods of life, sometimes it helps to shorten the load.  Or if you have a child who has stared at their work or screen for so long and is having trouble with the work, sometimes they may need a break to regroup.

Shorter days can keep the kids and you from burnout.  After all, you want your children to learn and have fun while doing it.  Shortening your day, or having a fun elective can really encourage your child in learning and help them not to feel so overwhelmed.

Younger kids are not going to need as much time for school, and don’t forget that educational videos and games are learning.

Flexibility Is the Gift of Homeschooling

Some days are going to be heavy academic days, and other days you might have it more relaxed or project-based days. I do a light load on Fridays. If my kids have anything they didn’t complete earlier in the week for any reason, they also have that day to catch up on uncompleted work. 

Remember, that is the flexibility of homeschooling.

It’s About Their Heart, Not School Hours

To wrap up my blog post here, we have options for home educating our children. It doesn’t have to be done like traditional school, and it doesn’t always require 6 hours of class time to complete their lessons.

When I started homeschooling, I wanted to give my children a Christian education. So at the end of the day, it’s about stirring their heart toward Christ, and not about how many hours of academics they can do.

I want my children to have a well-rounded education, and I have 5 kids who have completed their homeschool journey. Yet, when they have finished school, I want them to be able to know who they are in Jesus, and he is worth putting that time in for.

Homeschooling doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s journey. It’s about finding what works best for your family and remembering why you started in the first place. We don’t have to chase long hours or a perfect routine — what matters most is the hearts we’re shaping and the love of learning we’re building in our homes.

Some days will flow smoothly, and others might feel a little messy — and that’s okay.   If  God called you to homeschool your children, then He will equip you for the season you’re in. So give yourself grace, keep your eyes on God, and enjoy the precious moments that make homeschooling so worth it.

If this post encouraged you today, I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

How long are your homeschool days, and what helps you find a good rhythm for your family? Your story might just encourage another mom who needs a reminder that she’s doing ok.