I know that there are different temperaments and some mothers cannot function without periods out of the house, but I am a homebody. I hate to shop, run errands, etc.
I have also learned that errands derail schooling & interfere with parenting because I get stressed & I'm not at my best. As a homeschooling Mama, I work best and my home runs more peacefully if I not only make home & schooling my primary focus, but also eliminate all unnecessary distractions.
My informal solution is to save regular errands (commissary, filling up the car, etc) for the end of the week. That way I can get in four good days of intensive schooling and also keep the home running smoothly. It also gives me an opportunity to spend one-on-one time with each of my children. Every morning, because we are home, I rotate through one-on-one time with each child while the others play with siblings, practice piano, or execute chores.
Additionally, I save bigger or irregular errands (Sam's run, Target, dentist, vet, doctor's office) for the last week of the month. This way, I reduce trips and save money.
To facilitate this, I keep various lists going so that I can get everything I need in one trip, plan ahead, and not run out of something important mid-month. I also try to plan ahead to anticipate needs, purchasing enough to get through to the next errand cycle.
A few well organized lists & a little forethought are a sanity (time & money, too) saver to this busy mom. If you find yourself harried & your house falling apart, consider cutting back & organizing your trips out of the house to be less frequent & more efficient.
-Jen
