You know what’s wild? Homeschooling with a 20-month-old. I mean, homeschooling in general is an adventure, but add in a pocket-sized tornado of energy, and suddenly, we’ve entered a whole new level of chaos.
Our little guy—oh, he is something else. The cutest, most stubborn, most hilarious, and most determined tiny human I’ve ever met. He does not sit. He does not play quietly. He does not understand that school time means “sit here and color” or “play with blocks while we work on math.” No, no. He would rather rip up the girls’ schoolwork, climb onto the counter, jump off the couch, or follow me around, tugging at my legs like a puppy. Of course, he shouldn’t have to sit still, he shouldn’t have to color…it isn’t in his nature and I’ll never force him until he is ready. THANK YOU HOMESCHOOL!
So how do we make it work? The honest answer: Some days, we don’t. Some days, it’s HARD. Some days, I feel completely defeated. And on those days, I take a deep breath, pour another cup of coffee, and remind myself—flexibility is key.
What Actually Helps?
- Nap Time = Academic Time (Sometimes)
He still takes a 1.5- to 2-hour nap (praise be!), and on really rough days, I shift schoolwork to that golden window of time. But that also means I have to sacrifice my afternoon workout, and let’s be real—sometimes, I cannot drag myself out of bed at 5 AM to get my workout in before the kids wake up. Because, oh yeah, I was up at 12 AM, 2 AM, and 4 AM with the kids.
- Get Outside
If it’s not working, we pivot. We take school outside. We go for a walk. We play a game. Fresh air has a way of resetting the mood—for all of us.
- Food = Distraction
Sometimes, a second snack buys us a few extra minutes of peace. (Not the healthiest strategy, but hey, survival mode.)
- Deck Time & People-Watching
One of the best toddler distractions? Standing on the deck, watching hikers go by. For a few glorious moments, he’s captivated. The hand prints on the glass railing are just an added bonus.
- The Neighbor Hack
The best days? The best days are when he goes to hang out with our retired neighbor. Those days, we double or even triple up on lessons and get a ton done.
I know it will get easier. I know this phase is short (even if it feels never-ending in the moment). But right now? Some days, it feels like my son is the one running the show.
So, tell me—how do you homeschool with a toddler in the mix? What’s your best survival strategy? Because I could use all the tips I can get!
Run Teach Bike 