A friend asked me to share what our daily schedule looks like, how we manage chores, etc.... I spent so much time writing it all, I decided to post it, hoping it may benefit others as well. Blessings! ~Cathy
Ahhh...schedules. Schedules are good as a guideline, but other than that I pay them no mind! LOL! Seriously, I have a basic routine, but I wouldn't call it a "schedule" really. I'm not that together..nor do I want to be slave to one. I must say, I wasn't always like this. I like order, punctuality, and a predictable life. But I married a man who has a career that blows all of that out of the water. We have moved more times than I'd like to admit (in his trade, you go where the building boom is) causing quite a bit of disruption to our lives, not to mention his job is NOT 9-5...totally NOT predictable. So, I have had to learn to become more laid back and flexible. (neither is his income...it fluctuates based on the workload....also a teaching tool to be flexible and to practice letting go of control and trusting that GOD is in control!) So, all that to say, I have more of a set of daily goals to accomplish, rather than a "schedule". I don't have the same things that need to be done the same day every day! It always changes! I would be more stressed if I felt like every Tuesday had to look like last Tuesday and so on. For example, tomorrow Caley has an orthodontist apt, I have 4 packages to mail, and I have to go to the Social Security office. Not normal...well, unpredictable is sometimes my "normal"! :) I don't have a set time for appointments, etc. That is called living. Sometimes that just has to come before bookwork. I prefer doing my shopping at Costco and go to the grocery store as little as possible. But our income fluctuates, so I can't always do that. I just go when we are about to starve or if we need a missing ingredient or something. My life is too unstructured to schedule such things. I'm pretty laid back, because I have to be. In Mat's career it is feast or famine. I don't always have grocery money each week. It comes in spurts. Again...I have had to learn to be flexible and also creative. Number one rule....ask the Lord to order your steps. He will. Number two rule...flexibility. Number three...set goals for each day.
Ok..well, this AM was the first try at the girls getting up around 6 with the goal to start their schoolwork by 6:30 (starting with their personal devotions). I give them an assignment sheet each Monday AM and their goal is to complete each school task each day. (I staple any loose sheets (ie: quizzes, vocab worksheets, etc... to the back) But again, if they have a hard time getting it all done, we push it to the next day and adjust things the following week. Basically a "to do" list. I have a nice assignment form that works really well for us. I can give you a copy if you want to try it.
Anywho...this early start worked very well for us. We get so many distractions throughout the day from the little ones, chores, unexpected guest at the door, whatever...and the girls have had a hard time getting it all done. Well, let me tell you! We LOVED this new plan! Caley and Emily were done with their school by 10 AM!! WOWZER!! That gave them more free time to pursue their interests (Emily spent more time practicing her fiddle and Caley...I'm not sure, but she kept coming up to me and saying..."It's only.......O'clock??" I think she may have been bored! LOL! Don't worry. I kept her busy washing the floors downstairs! ;) It was great, because they were able to help me with the little ones doing crafts, playing, taking them to the potty, changing diapers, etc. We all felt like SO much more was accomplished! So, it continues to be our daily goal. We will have weekends to sleep in and I'm sure we will once in awhile have a late start, but that is OK too! Flexibility! Roll along easy....
So 6am starts our day. I have my 30 minutes with Mathieu and we have our coffee together. The 2 oldest start their schoolwork. I start the little ones with schoolwork around 9-10...depends if I'm ready. Eventually I get a shower, dressed and presentable. (Hey...I work from home and who cares if I wear my bunny slippers all day?? LOL! :) In between the schoolwork we feed everyone breakfast. Usually Emily or Caley get breakfast ready. Some days it is just cereal, others bacon and eggs or waffles, or oatmeal, muffins, etc..Once the schoolwork is done, one of the big girls does the dishes.
So, come down my little "bunny trail"...this is how we arrange dish duty: One gal makes dinner. After dinner, she gives baths to little ones and is responsible in helping with the little ones until bedtime, so mommy and daddy can catch up on the day. Other gal does the dishes. They always have music playing (they love hymns) and practice singing during this time.) In the AM the same dishwasher gal does the AM and lunch dishes. She then makes dinner and helps with little ones and the other gal has her turn doing the dishes. Works really well for us.
OK...We eat lunch somewhere around 11:30-12:00. Usually left overs, sandwiches, mac N cheese, etc...whatever. If weather permits, I like for them to go outside after lunch for awhile, but they MUST stay in the backyard so they don't draw attention. (you never know what neighbor will call someone about us playing "hookie"! I'm only a little paranoid! ;) Naptime is hit or miss at @2 for Jaden. I'm really thinking about nixing naps. I think I'd rather deal with a crank btw the hours of 2-7 than have one not sleepy enough to go to bed by 8, when I'm about to collapse! By around 2, we usually watch a video or one day we may try to go to the library every other week now that I finally have my van to use during the day! What a nice luxury!!. We always have the girl in charge of supper to start it at 4:30, with the goal of eating by 6. Some nights we just don't make that goal...like last night! We sat down at 7:30!! Oh well. We tried.
At about 7:30 or 8, we read a very short devotional. (only takes about 15 mins) The big kids join us, even though it is really geared to the little ones. We are currently reading "Devotions for the Children's Hour" by Kenneth N Taylor. It teaches basic Bible doctrine, but is written in a very easy to understand way. There are questions, a Scripture to read and a hymn to sing. We really like it alot. It is actually part of our school curriculum I use for Liana. (Heart of Dakota, "Little Hearts For His Glory"...which I love, by the way! I use that for the Bible, History, and Science mostly. For Math I use MUS for everyone and I use Rod and Staff reading for Liana and Reading Made Easy for Lydia) Oh...sorry, another bunny trail! So, after devotions, Mathieu takes the little ones, brushes/flosses teeth and prays and sings to them and tucks them all in for the night. If we don't have to be up early, we may catch a netfilx streaming video before bed.
So, as you can see, not really a schedule, but a basic routine. It works, but it isn't confining as long as we remain a bit laid back about it.
In our past, we missed a LOT of formal schooling because of all of our moves. I constantly asked the Lord to fill in the gaps. I am always amazed that I didn't "ruin" my kids! No, they aren't Einsteins, but I wasn't called to train my children for Harvard. I was commissioned to train them for Heaven!! We never did Science labs, etc...we are more the living book or real life approach to things. My girls have such an interest in agriculture and could successfully run a hobby farm, I'm sure! All from books and videos. You tube is great also. That is how Emily taught herself Banjo, guitar, violin, harmonica, crocheting, tating, etc...Aaron was always given lots of art supplies. Caley got her own camera. We encourage their strongest interests and provide them with the tools to do it well. Often times, their interests aren't really developed until after age 12. Just keep your eyes and ears open so you can provide them that opportunity to explore. Jesus said "Learn from Me." Jesus didn't have some strict schedule or curriculum. He walked, worked, and taught as he went. His creation is marvelous and is rich in learning opportunities! Allowing children to learn as they live, they are learning HIS way. Book work is necessary, but we feel it is also wrong to cover their flame for learning with a bushel all in the name of "education". Living is an education! Allow your children to read real books from the library about the things that they love. It will become a self propelled education and you will no longer feel like you are pushing a wet noodle! Curriculum is beneficial (and I use it), but I find it most freeing to not be a slave to it. I don't do everything it lays out. I veer off the path once in awhile...and that is OKAY! I also have found some great resources that allow for independent work, allowing me more time for other important tasks and develops responsibility in the children.
Ahhh chores. I love chores, because I don't have to do them all myself anymore! Besides alternating dishes and making supper, each of the older ones are responsible for doing their own laundry and the laundry of one little person. That little person is responsible to getting their dirty clothes into the laundry basket. (sounds like an easy task, but for some reason a hard one to get into their heads! LOL!) The little ones also help fold and put away, but the big girls oversee that and are responsible for the final outcome. I do mine, Mat's and the 2 little boy's laundry as well as the diapers. (we use cloth) One rule I have is that if they see a need, fill it. For example, if they need the washer and someone else's laundry needs to move along...do it! Serve one another. Everyone has to make their beds. Other than that, the rest of the chores are assigned depending on what each person's schedule is like or just what I feel like assigning them. I mix it up all the time.
I made those chore cards for a few purposes. They seem very efficient to me. I am a list person, and basically, the cards are a perpetual "list" that I can mix up and insert into any order to any person. Emily made me some vinyl "sleeves" with a "necklace". My idea is sort of like Choreganizers, if you are familiar with that. It is primarily for the younger ones to help them keep on task and to have a visual of what they need to do next without me having to constantly be "on top of them". So the idea is that each day I put in order what they are needing to do. As they do it, they move the card to the back. It teaches them to manage their time. Written lists take an extra step for little ones to have to go back to. The card method is right around their necks and they stay more motivated to complete it. The bigger ones will use the cards too, but mostly for chores, not school, since we have the school assignment charts for them. They work almost 100% independently. I instruct the lower grades during the morning. Mathieu has given me the go-ahead to get these cards printed at the printers (so I can have colored cards...just more FUN...) and laminated. I can't wait to actually try this method! I feel good that it will work well!
When it comes to the household chores, organization, picking up the place, etc...I see it as a team effort. Who cares who made the mess...everyone help tidy up! We are a TEAM! We work together! We are one body, so to speak. I try to foster this attitude and avoid the individual "me" focus. We help each other. One other thing I try to instill is the joy of serving one another. When I tell someone to do something, I expect them to say "Yes Ma'am. I'd be happy to." Often they do not say this on their own accord, so I say it and expect them to repeat it back in a joyful tone of voice. I really cannot say what it is, but maybe Jesus' heart in theirs, but Emily and Caley really amaze me with their serving hearts. To be honest, I rarely have to ask them to wash the floors, dust, vacuum, change a diaper, etc. They just do it without me even having to ask. We do not believe in allowance. We feel it instills an entitlement attitude rather than a servant's attitude. If they want to earn money we encourage them to do so through a home industry. (Emily sews historical dresses, Aaron sells his art, etc....If they wanted to get an outside job, they can do that too, but my girls in particular prefer home based industry.) Mom/dad don't get paid to do be a parent or keeper at home at home...neither will they. It is just part of being a family.
I do NOT have all of the answers. I am always refining. Not everything I do works. So, I nix one thing and try something else. That is OK. Our home will look different from yours. It is great to glean from others, but there just may be some tweaking here and there to make it fit your family. Maybe some of our ways will spark some ideas that will work for you. Ask the Lord for creativity. He will always fill you up with what you need! My laid back approach may not fit your style or your children's style. That is OK too! Your home will have it's own flavor and that is what makes life so wonderful! If everyone was "vanilla" how drab and boring life would be!! Life is a journey and there are stops along the way, roadblocks to maneuver around, and sometimes a nice straight away we can cruise along easily. Life by the Spirit is freeing! Let Him guide you if things need to go in a different way. Banging your head on the proverbial "brick wall" benefits no one. Allow yourself the structure needed to prevent laziness, but the flexibility to bend in the inevitable winds of change life brings.
Ok..well, this AM was the first try at the girls getting up around 6 with the goal to start their schoolwork by 6:30 (starting with their personal devotions). I give them an assignment sheet each Monday AM and their goal is to complete each school task each day. (I staple any loose sheets (ie: quizzes, vocab worksheets, etc... to the back) But again, if they have a hard time getting it all done, we push it to the next day and adjust things the following week. Basically a "to do" list. I have a nice assignment form that works really well for us. I can give you a copy if you want to try it.
Anywho...this early start worked very well for us. We get so many distractions throughout the day from the little ones, chores, unexpected guest at the door, whatever...and the girls have had a hard time getting it all done. Well, let me tell you! We LOVED this new plan! Caley and Emily were done with their school by 10 AM!! WOWZER!! That gave them more free time to pursue their interests (Emily spent more time practicing her fiddle and Caley...I'm not sure, but she kept coming up to me and saying..."It's only.......O'clock??" I think she may have been bored! LOL! Don't worry. I kept her busy washing the floors downstairs! ;) It was great, because they were able to help me with the little ones doing crafts, playing, taking them to the potty, changing diapers, etc. We all felt like SO much more was accomplished! So, it continues to be our daily goal. We will have weekends to sleep in and I'm sure we will once in awhile have a late start, but that is OK too! Flexibility! Roll along easy....
So 6am starts our day. I have my 30 minutes with Mathieu and we have our coffee together. The 2 oldest start their schoolwork. I start the little ones with schoolwork around 9-10...depends if I'm ready. Eventually I get a shower, dressed and presentable. (Hey...I work from home and who cares if I wear my bunny slippers all day?? LOL! :) In between the schoolwork we feed everyone breakfast. Usually Emily or Caley get breakfast ready. Some days it is just cereal, others bacon and eggs or waffles, or oatmeal, muffins, etc..Once the schoolwork is done, one of the big girls does the dishes.
So, come down my little "bunny trail"...this is how we arrange dish duty: One gal makes dinner. After dinner, she gives baths to little ones and is responsible in helping with the little ones until bedtime, so mommy and daddy can catch up on the day. Other gal does the dishes. They always have music playing (they love hymns) and practice singing during this time.) In the AM the same dishwasher gal does the AM and lunch dishes. She then makes dinner and helps with little ones and the other gal has her turn doing the dishes. Works really well for us.
OK...We eat lunch somewhere around 11:30-12:00. Usually left overs, sandwiches, mac N cheese, etc...whatever. If weather permits, I like for them to go outside after lunch for awhile, but they MUST stay in the backyard so they don't draw attention. (you never know what neighbor will call someone about us playing "hookie"! I'm only a little paranoid! ;) Naptime is hit or miss at @2 for Jaden. I'm really thinking about nixing naps. I think I'd rather deal with a crank btw the hours of 2-7 than have one not sleepy enough to go to bed by 8, when I'm about to collapse! By around 2, we usually watch a video or one day we may try to go to the library every other week now that I finally have my van to use during the day! What a nice luxury!!. We always have the girl in charge of supper to start it at 4:30, with the goal of eating by 6. Some nights we just don't make that goal...like last night! We sat down at 7:30!! Oh well. We tried.
At about 7:30 or 8, we read a very short devotional. (only takes about 15 mins) The big kids join us, even though it is really geared to the little ones. We are currently reading "Devotions for the Children's Hour" by Kenneth N Taylor. It teaches basic Bible doctrine, but is written in a very easy to understand way. There are questions, a Scripture to read and a hymn to sing. We really like it alot. It is actually part of our school curriculum I use for Liana. (Heart of Dakota, "Little Hearts For His Glory"...which I love, by the way! I use that for the Bible, History, and Science mostly. For Math I use MUS for everyone and I use Rod and Staff reading for Liana and Reading Made Easy for Lydia) Oh...sorry, another bunny trail! So, after devotions, Mathieu takes the little ones, brushes/flosses teeth and prays and sings to them and tucks them all in for the night. If we don't have to be up early, we may catch a netfilx streaming video before bed.
So, as you can see, not really a schedule, but a basic routine. It works, but it isn't confining as long as we remain a bit laid back about it.
In our past, we missed a LOT of formal schooling because of all of our moves. I constantly asked the Lord to fill in the gaps. I am always amazed that I didn't "ruin" my kids! No, they aren't Einsteins, but I wasn't called to train my children for Harvard. I was commissioned to train them for Heaven!! We never did Science labs, etc...we are more the living book or real life approach to things. My girls have such an interest in agriculture and could successfully run a hobby farm, I'm sure! All from books and videos. You tube is great also. That is how Emily taught herself Banjo, guitar, violin, harmonica, crocheting, tating, etc...Aaron was always given lots of art supplies. Caley got her own camera. We encourage their strongest interests and provide them with the tools to do it well. Often times, their interests aren't really developed until after age 12. Just keep your eyes and ears open so you can provide them that opportunity to explore. Jesus said "Learn from Me." Jesus didn't have some strict schedule or curriculum. He walked, worked, and taught as he went. His creation is marvelous and is rich in learning opportunities! Allowing children to learn as they live, they are learning HIS way. Book work is necessary, but we feel it is also wrong to cover their flame for learning with a bushel all in the name of "education". Living is an education! Allow your children to read real books from the library about the things that they love. It will become a self propelled education and you will no longer feel like you are pushing a wet noodle! Curriculum is beneficial (and I use it), but I find it most freeing to not be a slave to it. I don't do everything it lays out. I veer off the path once in awhile...and that is OKAY! I also have found some great resources that allow for independent work, allowing me more time for other important tasks and develops responsibility in the children.
Ahhh chores. I love chores, because I don't have to do them all myself anymore! Besides alternating dishes and making supper, each of the older ones are responsible for doing their own laundry and the laundry of one little person. That little person is responsible to getting their dirty clothes into the laundry basket. (sounds like an easy task, but for some reason a hard one to get into their heads! LOL!) The little ones also help fold and put away, but the big girls oversee that and are responsible for the final outcome. I do mine, Mat's and the 2 little boy's laundry as well as the diapers. (we use cloth) One rule I have is that if they see a need, fill it. For example, if they need the washer and someone else's laundry needs to move along...do it! Serve one another. Everyone has to make their beds. Other than that, the rest of the chores are assigned depending on what each person's schedule is like or just what I feel like assigning them. I mix it up all the time.
I made those chore cards for a few purposes. They seem very efficient to me. I am a list person, and basically, the cards are a perpetual "list" that I can mix up and insert into any order to any person. Emily made me some vinyl "sleeves" with a "necklace". My idea is sort of like Choreganizers, if you are familiar with that. It is primarily for the younger ones to help them keep on task and to have a visual of what they need to do next without me having to constantly be "on top of them". So the idea is that each day I put in order what they are needing to do. As they do it, they move the card to the back. It teaches them to manage their time. Written lists take an extra step for little ones to have to go back to. The card method is right around their necks and they stay more motivated to complete it. The bigger ones will use the cards too, but mostly for chores, not school, since we have the school assignment charts for them. They work almost 100% independently. I instruct the lower grades during the morning. Mathieu has given me the go-ahead to get these cards printed at the printers (so I can have colored cards...just more FUN...) and laminated. I can't wait to actually try this method! I feel good that it will work well!
When it comes to the household chores, organization, picking up the place, etc...I see it as a team effort. Who cares who made the mess...everyone help tidy up! We are a TEAM! We work together! We are one body, so to speak. I try to foster this attitude and avoid the individual "me" focus. We help each other. One other thing I try to instill is the joy of serving one another. When I tell someone to do something, I expect them to say "Yes Ma'am. I'd be happy to." Often they do not say this on their own accord, so I say it and expect them to repeat it back in a joyful tone of voice. I really cannot say what it is, but maybe Jesus' heart in theirs, but Emily and Caley really amaze me with their serving hearts. To be honest, I rarely have to ask them to wash the floors, dust, vacuum, change a diaper, etc. They just do it without me even having to ask. We do not believe in allowance. We feel it instills an entitlement attitude rather than a servant's attitude. If they want to earn money we encourage them to do so through a home industry. (Emily sews historical dresses, Aaron sells his art, etc....If they wanted to get an outside job, they can do that too, but my girls in particular prefer home based industry.) Mom/dad don't get paid to do be a parent or keeper at home at home...neither will they. It is just part of being a family.
I do NOT have all of the answers. I am always refining. Not everything I do works. So, I nix one thing and try something else. That is OK. Our home will look different from yours. It is great to glean from others, but there just may be some tweaking here and there to make it fit your family. Maybe some of our ways will spark some ideas that will work for you. Ask the Lord for creativity. He will always fill you up with what you need! My laid back approach may not fit your style or your children's style. That is OK too! Your home will have it's own flavor and that is what makes life so wonderful! If everyone was "vanilla" how drab and boring life would be!! Life is a journey and there are stops along the way, roadblocks to maneuver around, and sometimes a nice straight away we can cruise along easily. Life by the Spirit is freeing! Let Him guide you if things need to go in a different way. Banging your head on the proverbial "brick wall" benefits no one. Allow yourself the structure needed to prevent laziness, but the flexibility to bend in the inevitable winds of change life brings.
