If I can't get my children to brush their teeth without an arguement, how could I ever homeschool them?

by Stephanie
(Maryland)

I so want to homeschool my children. They are currently in a dual curriculum (private) school for religious and secular studies. While I love their school, and my children are successful, I think they have a very long day, without enough time for themselves, playing outside, exercise and extra curricular activities, etc.

I would love to homeschool my children, for at least the secular studies portion of their day, but I can't imagine getting them to comply with their work (and I am a teacher myself!!!).

Seems like getting so many simple things done: like brushing teeth, or cleaning up toys is so hard. How can I get them to actually do school work with me every single day?

How can you keep them from being silly together when they are supposed to be doing their schoolwork, especially if one finishes his work before the others do?

Tell me how you are successful at this and give me hope for homeschooling my own 3 kids!

--Thanks so much!