Schedules and Routines in the Home

I'm not naturally scheduled. In fact, it is very easy for me to be entirely random about my day.

I have found there are good things about being random: We can follow our interests, seize the moments, and so on.

There are also difficult things about it: it is unsettling for the kids, it is easy to let the day go by without accomplishing much.

Taking both these into account, I've come to the conclusion that a flexible routine with lots of wiggle room is good for us. I'm striving to stay true to our priorities while taking into account our personalities. It's a struggle sometimes.

Having a routine written down helps keep us on track. The kids love knowing what is coming next and look forward to their free time.

After a full morning of school, I have often struggled with the afternoon. It is usually a time when I need a break, and the kids do too. For this reason I am scheduling in a few hours of rest/free time. This is a time we may choose to use for an art project, or reading, or playing outside. Having it in the plan, helps me feel like I am still on track.

In the past I would pack the schedule so tight, there was no way for me to succeed. When making a schedule or routine, it is important to remember that we are HUMAN. We get tired. We need rest.

Christin at Joyful Mothering is challenging homemakers to work on something each week. I thought she had a wonderful idea in that she suggested working on a schedule and living it for a day.

Since getting back from Australia I have felt the need to work on a new plan for my family.

Here is a peek at what we are trying out right now. Just imagine an ish next to all the times:

(I'm not putting anything in here for the baby because we are in transition between one and two naps!)

6:15 Get up, read Bible, pray, check in with the #hellomornings girls

7:30 Kids up and getting ready

7:45 Breakfast – read to kids, clean up kitchen, work on lunch prep. Kids finish cleaning up and getting ready for the day.

8:45 Handwriting, look over memory verses

9:00 Bible time

9:15 One on one time with SugarBean

9:45 One on one time with Little Mister

10:15 Snack, stretch, and jump around

10:30 Group time – School stuff we are studying together

12:15 Start clearing up for lunch

12:30 Lunch/break/play outside/talk to Daddy

1:30 – 3 – Rest time/free time/projects

3:00 – Finish any leftover school, work on projects, cooking

4:00- Cleaning, Chores

5:30 – Dinner

You may notice I have not included exercise. It is one of those random things right now while I adjust to the baby's new routine. I'm hoping to insert it back into the morning block soon.

To see how other homemakers are working on their schedules and routines, visit this week's Homemakers Challenge.

In the coming days I will post my mega list of time management resources (lots of links to articles and tools for time management). If you don't want to miss it, be sure to add this blog to your reader or sign up for email updates.