Creating your homeschool space to invite learning

When it comes to crafts supplies and learning resources, so many of us keep them safely locked away in unreachable cupboards or shelves; partly because some things are expensive and we don’t want to risk damage or loss, and partly because we don’t want a hot mess to clear up and we don't trust the kids enough to give them free access. But in doing this, we need to ask what message are we giving to our children about our learning environment?

Something to consider is when things are out of sight, they are often out of mind. 

When we have things hidden away in storage, how often are they thought about? How often do we ourselves make the conscious decision to get them out?

Whether you're reading this as a homeschool or school parent, I know if you're a responsible and interested Mum, you 100% want your children to enjoy learning and discovering new things.

Keeping on top of home organisation...

Managing the home is something I have always personally struggled with.... from being a messy child myself; old habits die hard!
But no one wants to live in a messy environment. The home is a place of rest and a place of refuge from the hustle and bustle of the outside world.
For myself, I struggle to do anything when everything at home is in a state of disorganised chaos.... and believe me, chaos is what I find too often for my liking!
But when everything is in its place, everything runs smoother, happier and a lot more productive Alhamdulillah.

So how can we get in control of managing the home when juggling all our other responsibilities and commitments? ....well, I am certainly no expert (my family will testify to that!) but I have picked up some tips and tricks which have certainly helped me a great deal, so I thought I'd share a few things which works for me (when I remember to do them that its!!!)....
Here are my 8 tips (8 is a random number I know....but 8 is what I have!)

Make your own Kitchen cleaner and kick those chemical nasties to the curb!

If you are looking for a frugal kitchen cleaner that is toxin and chemical free....you wouldn't believe how easy (and cheap) it is to make!

 I'm not a total neat-freak (come on....my house is lived in 24 hours a day 7 days a week!), but I am a little obsessed by germs and making sure they are dead...you would always find a bottle of antibacterial spray dousing my kitchen worktops after every meal!
So despite wanting to make the switch to something more natural, it took me a little while to actually do it!
I knew these anti-bac sprays are no good for our long term health, and wanted to provide a healthier, safer environment for my family.....so when I found a recipe using vinegar and orange peel it looked so pretty in the picture I knew I had to give it a go!

Its so easy to make, and all you need is:

• White Vinegar
• Water
• Orange peel
• lemon (optional)
• Essential oil (optional)

So find a large jar or container and fill with around 1/3 white vinegar and 2/3 water (I'm guessing here! I just eyeball what looks good!.....if you want specific measurements there are plenty of ingredients lists online).
Add left over orange peel, a few drops of essential oil (I used orange) and let it soak for a couple of weeks!
 I had a lemon that was turning past its best, so I squeezed out its juice and sliced to add a bit of extra zing and cleaning boost!

After a couple of weeks its quite hard to believe this liquid was once white vinegar and water because its drawn out all the orange extract it now looks like juice!

Strain all the peel and pour into an empty spray bottle and you a ready to go!

It has a strong unsweetened citrus scent...a huge improvement on the vinegar stenched work surfaces that are left when using just vinegar and water alone!

Not a bad product I have to say and costs literally pennies to make!

I defiantly feel more comfortable letting the kidos clean up after dinner.....if only they would just wipe the table the way I like it done! ......sigh!


What D.I.Y products have you made and tried? Drop a comment below.....I need more ideas!