Habits for the Homeschool Mom: The Habit of Order

Jul 29

Life at home can feel full and demanding. Lessons, meals, and endless small duties pull us in many directions. It is easy for the environment to become cluttered and the mind to feel scattered. The habit of order helps restore peace.

Order is more than a neat room. It is a way of thinking and living that creates calm and beauty. When we cultivate order in our homes and hearts, we make space for what truly matters.

What Is the Habit of Order?

Order is the practice of arranging things in a way that serves their purpose and brings harmony. It is putting first things first and caring for the small details that keep life steady. Order does not require perfection. It asks for thoughtful habits that keep chaos from ruling the day.

Why Does Order Matter for Mothers?

A home without order often feels stressful. We lose time searching for what we need, and simple tasks become harder than they should be. When we build order, we create an atmosphere where learning can flourish. Lessons can begin without rushing to find a book. Meals can be prepared without frustration.

Order also brings rest to the mind. When our surroundings are peaceful, it is easier to think clearly and act with kindness. This habit frees us to focus on relationships and learning instead of clutter and confusion.

How Can We Cultivate the Habit of Order?

Order grows through small, steady practices. Begin with one or two and add more as they become natural.

1. Begin with One Space

Choose a single place that matters to your day—a table for lessons, the kitchen counter, or your entryway. Clear it, and keep it that way.

2. Create Simple Routines

Morning and evening resets take only a few minutes but make a big difference. Put away books after lessons. Wipe the counters after meals.

3. Limit Excess

Too many things create unnecessary work. Choose what is beautiful and useful, and let go of the rest.

4. Keep a Home Journal

Write down small tasks that keep your home running smoothly. Review it each week. This brings clarity and helps avoid feeling overwhelmed.

5. Involve Your Children

Order is a family habit. Give simple, age-appropriate responsibilities and work together to keep the home in harmony.

6. Bring Beauty to the Ordinary

Light a candle on a clean table. Place a small vase of flowers in the kitchen. Beauty inspires care and makes order feel like a joy, not a burden.

Books to Encourage the Habit of Order

Home Education by Charlotte Mason (sections on habit training)
The Hidden Art of Homemaking by Edith Schaeffer
A Mother’s Rule of Life by Holly Pierlot
The Life-Giving Home by Sally Clarkson
L’Abri by Edith Schaeffer
Keeping House: The Litany of Everyday Life by Margaret Kim Peterson

A Word to the Mother

Dear mother, order is not about creating a perfect home. It is about shaping an atmosphere where peace and beauty can grow. Begin with one small step. Clear a space. Light a candle. Breathe deeply. Let this simple act remind you that the work of the home is holy work.

Grace will meet you in this process. You will have days when things feel messy, but do not lose heart. Order is built slowly through small, consistent choices. Begin today, and let these gentle habits bring rest to your heart and life to your home.

Parallel Habits:

Charlotte Mason spoke often about the importance of forming habits in children, but she also reminded us that education is a life. The habits we are helping our children develop are ones we also need to cultivate in ourselves. As we guide our children toward habits like order, attention, and truthfulness, we are also invited to walk that same path with intention. The habit of order is not just about tidying up a room or keeping a schedule. It is about bringing peace and preparation into the heart of our day. It allows us to better serve our families, to hold space for meaningful learning, and to create a home atmosphere that is both restful and rich.

If you are longing to reflect on your own habits as a mother and grow in these quiet but powerful ways, I’ve created a free printable to help you begin. It’s a simple way to take the next step and bring the beauty of Charlotte Mason’s habit training into your own life. You can download it below and begin building small, steady practices that will support your home and heart.

Beth Howard