Getting Ready for Homeschool

Sale PSA: A pointed suede pump from Gianvito Rossi, now 60% off, super cool drawstring (!!) linen pants from J.Crew, now 40% off, a simple leather slides from Chloe, now 60% off, and a yellow linen dress from Reformation, now $134.

Yes…August will soon be here and that means like many of you I’m going to be homeschooling! We kind of knew this day was likely coming so I’ve been low key preparing for it for the last month – I’m fortunate that my oldest is starting kindergarten so there isn’t that much “hard” academic stuff to do. I’m also personally not a super academically focused parent – I have friends who have all kinds of different philosophies, and I respect them all, for me I I remember what I was like when I was a kid and how my interests changed as I realized I had more free will so I guess I figure there’s only so much a parent can control. But I still want my son and daughter to be able to learn in a comfortable environment, and also without their stuff TAKING OVER the house – here are some of the items I’ve bought to help organize and make homeschooling a little easier.

Perpetual wood calendar: The most twee item I’m sharing today! I already got a big calendar from Amazon (this one) but had to add this. It’s maple wood and from a local company and is super cute, right? It’s about the size of a regular paper calendar – there’s also a big one but it was a little $$$ for me (but beautiful). I chose the Chinese version (you just add that you want it in comments, and there are multiple other language options).

3-Tier rolling cart: A local mom who has always homeschooled her kids for years recommended this cart to me, as a way to hold art supplies, construction paper, glue, etc. I actually ended up getting two of these (so I could meet the free shipping minimum, with some little clear boxes) – I think I’m going to use the second one to hold random odds and ends in my daughter’s room. I can actually think of TONS of uses for these carts.

PS: Target has something very similar for $5 more but then you don’t have to go crazy trying to find $75 for the free shipping with Container Store (though that is never a problem for me).

Acrylic book cart. I think (?) I’ve recommended these before. I have three!! They are expensive but great. HOWEVER one is cracking through no fault of its own (son stomped on the bottom ledge as part of a game). I’m repurposing one to hold their workbooks, little early readers, etc – the wheels are super handy because I can move it around (if you plan on doing this a lot however, I wouldn’t weigh down the cart too much).

I also have these acrylic bookshelves (I like acrylic! What can I say?). And they are used to hold a few of my kid’s bigger books. OR instead of drilling a hole in your wall, you can get some of these $4 (!!) storage cubes from Target.

Portable lap desk: this was kind of an impulse purchase but it’s been quite useful! Even for my husband and I, when we need to work on our laptops but have to watch the kids outside, etc (it’s easier for me to use than my husband). One thing to note is that it isn’t for heavy duty stuff – you can put a laptop on, or an iPad, or a notebook, etc. Which makes it fine for school activities and Zoom but I wouldn’t put say, a glass of milk as it’s easy for this to tip. An easy portable little desk and I expect it’ll come in handy especially as now I’ll be managing two separate learners with two separate school schedules.

Are any of you going to be new to homeschooling next month? Do you have any favorite homeschool (or just plain organization) goodies to share?