Homeschooling one child can feel challenging. Adding more children at different levels can feel like launching a plate-spinning act, rushing from pole to pole to give each a quick twirl and keep all those plates in the air!

But take a deep breath, grab your favorite cuppa, and sink into a comfortable chair for a few minutes! As a homeschool mama who taught 17 kids over the years (my own eight daughters plus nine more!), I want to reassure you that you can do this—in a way that keeps your family’s most important “plates” spinning. Although all of us have to occasionally clean up a plate that hits the floor, here are a few hints that have helped me keep everyone learning while teaching different ages.