There is that mountain of laundry and sink full of dishes that need to be done. Then there are meals to prepare, children to care for, lessons to plan, work to correct… The list seems endless.

But even in the midst of this demanding time of life, moms need to keep their minds active.

Learning is not confined to thirteen or so years of school or even a college degree. Learning is a lifelong process, one that we should demonstrate before our children as we keep learning ourselves. But how can you accomplish this when there are just so many things that need to be done?

While thinking of adding one more thing to your schedule may feel overwhelming, it is so important to keep your mind active and make learning important even as an adult. Take baby steps at first, carving out a few minutes at a time. Here are some ideas to keep yourself learning, even in the midst of this busy time.

• Learn with your children! As you think about topics you want to teach each year, consider moving away from the checklist and add some that you are interested in learning about yourself.
• If your family attends co-op, attend the classes yourself. I have learned about canning, knitting, and anatomy from other homeschool parents during co-op.
• Invest in an mp3 player and download books, lectures, or Bible teachings. Spend a few minutes each night listening as you relax before bed.
• Purchase or borrow audiobooks or download online versions. Or find CDs designed for learning a foreign language. Listen to them as you chauffeur kids around to activities or relax in the bathtub.
• Watch online videos or teachings.
• Attend your annual homeschool conference and purchase CDs from sessions that you didn’t attend.
• Find one night a week or month to attend a class. Your local community college or other organization may offer personal interest courses that meet just once or twice a month.
• Read, read, read! Even if you need to keep it to five or ten minute increments, keep reading! I often have several books or magazines all over the house and in the car so that I can spend a few minutes reading in between tasks or while waiting to pick up children or for an appointment.
• Institute a “quiet time” daily. Have young children nap while older children have independent reading time in their rooms. While it may be tempting to try to catch up on household chores, use at least part of the time to read yourself.
• Do the crossword puzzle in your paper each day. Get your children in on it by seeing if they know any of the answers.
• Memorize Scripture, poems, and quotes. Write them out on index cards and put them on the refrigerator or mirror where you can read through them a few times over the course of the day.
• Take your children on field trips to places you are interested in visiting. History and science related field trips can be fascinating for adults as well as children.

By thinking creatively, you will soon be on your way to a lifestyle of learning that can match your busy routine!