It’s official…I’m a homeschooling mama and it was time to tackle our school and craft closet!
Something I haven’t talked too much about is that our family has decided to homeschool our FIVE boys this year! Well, my youngest isn’t technically enrolled, but he’s along for the ride and learning so much! He’s doing preschool workbooks, learning activities and crafts. He sits in on art and loves to listen in on reading time. That’s the beauty of homeschooling!
To see more of our home, The Monarch Revival, check out these posts:
Why We Chose To Homeschool and how I “do it all”
You’re probably wondering why we chose to homeschool..and truthfully? It’s just a little bit of everything. Nothing “happened”. No drama around this decision – it’s just what I felt called to do right now. I know homeschooling is growing in popularity and it is because of all of the other families that have paved the way, I felt confident enough to take this on! It’s been a heck of a ride, but now that we are in a groove, I know this was the right decision for everyone.
I often get asked how I “do it all”. First, I don’t. My kids and husband are incredibly helpful with household tasks, cleaning, cooking and even projects. While I do most of the homemaking tasks (cleaning and projects), my husband does most of the cooking, my boys help significantly with chores and laundry and are even showing interest in cooking! I am so grateful to have recently hired a wonderful cleaning team that comes twice a month to help with deep cleaning but I do the daily chores.
I’m a full-time mom but I also work full-time. My business Mallory Nikolaus Home is a full-time job, requiring 40-60 hours per week. I have 2 employees and a manager that manages my brand partnerships. I’m also in the process of launching another business venture, my home decor shop, Monarch Home.
Typically I teach from 8am – noon then the boys do independent work while I work on my projects and on my business from 12 – 6 or 7pm. I work 6-7 days per week. I try to schedule some weekends per month off but since I homeschool the kids and own my own business, it requires more days per week. This is just the season of life I’m in and homeschooling my boys is worth the extra work days to keep my business afloat.
HOMESCHOOL CURRICULUM
We use a Christian-based curriculum for our kids. We use The Good and The Beautiful for most of our curriculum (English, Language Arts, Handwriting, History and Science). We use CTCMath.com for Math. We do PE, Music and Art on our own.
Homeschooling requirements vary state to state so it’s important to make sure you’re meeting legal requirements for homeschooling your children. We use a local Christian Private school as an “umbrella school” to help us stay on track with state requirements, standardized testing, field trips and more. They help me make sure I don’t miss a beat when planning our homeschooling experience.
Homeschooling Supply Storage
I needed to have all of our materials in one place and our current craft closet was not functioning like I originally intended. I had bins with lids that held our supplies like pens, pencils, and other crafts, but none of us committed to putting the lids back on when we were done. It was a mess day after day. In short, our system wasn’t working!
The Before:
I headed to Walmart to pick out some open storage solutions for our craft closet and found the BEST stuff!
My Craft Closet Organizing Tips
We’ve been in this house for a short time and this is the second time I’m tackling this closet. It’s my goal today to share what I’ve learned about the best way I’ve found to organize craft closet and school supplies.
- Group Like Items – This may seem like a given, but organizing items by type makes finding what you need a breeze!
- Utilize Vertical Storage – I know not every closet has shelving, and if that is the case for you, leverage hanging storage with wire baskets, shoe organizers, and/or hanging shelves!
- Open Storage Works Best For Kids – When my kids need crayons or markers, they know where to find them AND can put them back as easily as they pulled them out. That is the key to keeping it organized…making it easy to put away.
- Keep Your Most Used Items At Eye Level – Unless it’s something messy/dangerous, keep what you use most often right at eye level to grab with ease. If your kid’s use this item often, keep it at THEIR eye level!
And of course, I wanted to upgrade this closet just a tad, which is why I added this gorgeous wallpaper from Walmart!
Craft Closet Organizing Supplies
- Rattan Baskets
- Wood and Cane Baskets
- Air Tight Containers
- Hanging Baskets
- Open Plastic Bins from The Home Edit (love these!)
We love the good and the beautiful and homeschool too. I love it and I’m so grateful for that time with my kids.
It’s great! Thank you so much!! Happy Homeschooling!
You are an inspiration
<3 <3 <3
I think you’re amazing! Your home projects are beautiful and inspiring! And I think it’s wonderful that you’re homeschooling even though you have a lot of other things on your plate! Very inspiring ❤️ Thank you!
Thank you, friend!!
Good for you on making decisions based on YOUR family! I was always against homeschool for socialization issues, however I have totally changed my mind and would absolutely homeschool now. My niece and nephew homeschool their children (5) and it has been amazing for them. They are also in a co op that meets on Thursday’s and lots of activities so socialization is not an issue. I work at an elementary school and see the difference between my nieces and nephews and the kids I work with at school… Good for you, you only get one chance at raising your kids, and you blink and they are adults. Enjoy every moment with them even when it’s a challenge🥰 If anyone says ANYTHING negative then disregard them, do what’s best for YOUR kids! Remember prepare your child for the path NOT the path for your child😊.
Thank you so much!! This means a lot! I really appreciate you being here and taking the time to comment. Made my day!
Good for you Mama! My children are grown now and are lovely people, but I wish I would have home schooled them. The richness of education in a loving environment is something every growing human should experience. Oh, the value to the world!
. PS: I love watching you and your projects!
Thank you so much!!
Thank you so much for opening your heart and home to us! I keep feeling called to homeschool but with 5 kids of varying grades and abilities I feel inadequate. Homeschooling is not a decision us mommas just jump to immediately and I appreciate you letting God speak to me through you! Very courageous to share your heart. Thank you!!!
You CAN do this is if it is what you want to do! I believe in you! If there are any questions, I can do my best to help!
Miss Mallory…
I love it that you took the time to write this. I’ve been following you for at least six months now, and have often questioned in the back of my mind how you do all this. It’s really nice to get that question answered and to learn about the help you have, both inside and outside your home to make things click. Also, so smart of you to work under the umbrella of another private school to make sure everything is appropriate for your boys. I just hope you don’t hit burn out after you get through this action packed phase of your young life! Hang in there and keep up the great work… You are an inspiration for many of us on social media! My best – Jody
Thank you for looking out for me! You’re the sweetest.
Bless you and your family on this new exciting journey!!!
You’re the best! Thank you!
Love this, Mallory. Everyone has to do their thing — I’ve done public, Catholic & homeschooling with mine, lol! It’s wonderful when you find the right fit.
Question — I’m starting an e-commerce business so I’m very curious to know what your two employees do for you — what do you farm out?
Thanks!
JoEllen Murphy
P.S. I still think you’re amazing even though you’re a Packers fan! Hahahahahahahaha Go Bears! 😘
As a homeschool mom who is wading back into being a WAHM, this was a wonderful blog post to read. I love the organization of your day and the closet. This was very motivating.
Thank you so much!!
I simply adore you and your family. You are such a kind soul and I appreciate that so much! Also…. you’re freaking talented. I have been considering homeschooling for about a year now, due to so many things that are going on with the world. But I have been nervous because I have no idea where to start and if I am competent enough to do that for my older boys. Thank you for the little peak into that part of your world. ❤️
Wow. This means so much to me. If you have any questions, I can do my best to help!
We use the good and the beautiful for our kindergartner and I can’t wait to order her 1st grade curriculum from them. Good choice!! I grew up homeschooled and knew before we had kids that’s what we were going to do. It’s the best! Good job, momma!
Love it! Thank you SO much!!
You are doing amazing!
Thanks, friend!
I appreciate this so much! I’ve seriously been praying for help to create structure and a plan for my 6th grader! I love it!!
Of course!! <3 Thanks for being here.
Homeschooling and working mama of two here! Thank you for sharing your experience. Love the organization!
You’re the sweetest. Thank you!!
I love it! Thank you for sharing, maybe this will help me jump in! Looks amazing.
You can do it!
Hi Mallory,
We homeschooled our girls from 2nd – 8th grade. We bought an RV and took a 6.5 month trip around the country which worked perfectly for 5th grade American Studies. It was a remarkable experience for all of us and as the girls get older I am sure they will continue to see how lucky they were. Don’t worry about negative comments, they are typically from narrow minded people who can’t begin to think outside of the box. Unfortunately, often they are just afraid to go away from the norm. The education system has not changed for 100’s of years, kids still sitting at desks being lectured to. As times have changed, I am sure you know, what you are able to provide for you boys is an education at the perfect time because you can cater to their interests while their learning window is open, rather than waiting until the week, month or year it is on the curriculum, and at the same time creating family time and memories.
We wish we were still able to homeschool but they wanted to go to “high school”, having a prom in our living room did not excite them… ha!
I’ve only been following you for about a year, but I am SO inspired by your energy, abilities and style as you remodel and decorate your gorgeous home. Don’t let anyone get you down, you and your family look like you have it all going on, as they say, “you do you!”
Thank you so much <3 And thank YOU for sharing your story. I love it!