Mom's with little ones only who take long naps in the middle of the day aren't going to have a schedule that works with mine. I remember when naptime was my favorite and busiest time of the day. That's not my life anymore. Mom's of big kids who head out the door to school also aren't going to have a schedule similar to mine. My kids are here during the day to create new messes, but they are also here to help clean them up. Of course, their school work is their first job. Ladies with no children at home really aren't going to be able to help either no matter how much experience they have under their belts (unless they used to homeschoolers and remember what worked best for them back in those days).
I really just want to see what someone else's day looks like from an organizational perspective especially regarding juggling school time and chore time.
Anyone seen what I'm looking for out there? If you have one you've created would you mind emailing me? Thanks in advance!
Charlotte, Have you tried Katherine of evlogia? Her youngest two are nap takers but she has 4 older ones whose schedules I'd think would be pretty much like yours. Although I don't know if she reposted all of those materials; but I know on her former blog she did a few posts about schedules and organization.
ReplyDeleteSo I have a friend that may have something like what you are looking for. This is the link to her scheduling post at the start of the school year, but she has more tips and stuff on her blog too.
ReplyDeletehttp://beccajacobsen.blogspot.com/2010/08/my-schedule.html
i'm not entirely in the same boat as you but have found MOTH to be extremly helpful. They also provided a CD for the fathers, which my husband enjoyed.
ReplyDelete"Step-by-step instructions and a unique Scheduling Kit make setting up a daily schedule easily achievable for any homeschooling family."
note: it is not a Catholic program
http://www.titus2.com/ecommerce/products/prod_listing.php/1100
i look forward to seeing what you come up with.
pax Christi - lena
I think Holly Pierlot's schedule in "A Mother's Rule of Life" book might be a good fit.
ReplyDeleteHave you looked into the book Large Family Logistics. I haven't read it myself, but after reading the reviews it sounds like it might be what you are looking for. It is on my wish list.
ReplyDeleteHi CHarlotte,
ReplyDeleteI am a homeschooling mom with 10 kids. I have a homemaking/homeschooling/parenting blog...cmon over!
Www.gretchenknuffke.com
Another vote for MOTH. I'm not a schedule person at all, but this helped a lot. I'm also a HUGE fan of their Managers of Their Chores book. Also, I think it's important to remember that one system isn't going to be perfect for everyone. Find a couple of programs you like and take the what works for you and use it. I also keep my family involved so they understand what I'm trying to accomplish and that I'm going to ask them to help.
ReplyDeleteMy oldest is a fourth grader, and I have a twenty-month old not on the schedule, but for what it's worth: http://made4joy.blogspot.com/2010/09/life.html
ReplyDeleteSince yesterday I pretty much told my kids they were ALL going to GO TO SCHOOL since I was SICK and TIRED of having a messy house and insolent children who moaned, whined and complained about having to make their beds, put their dishes in the dishwasher and actually do schoolwork for more than 20 minutes a day...I would appreciate any opinions you have on the aforementioned references.
ReplyDeleteI have not read MOTH, but I did read MOTC and did like it. I'm sure MOTH is good, too. I (also yesterday) concluded that I needed a bit of FlyLady's zone cleaning, but I'm not sure if I should re-invent the wheel or just follow along with her. And honestly, my biggest problem seems to be the younger crew who don't have or finish up their school first and then just trash the house or are loud and disruptive to those still working. I'm thinking straightjackets...or locks on distant closet doors...
Hi Charlotte- I've 5 children. Our oldest {now 22} Was once a busy middle homeschooler and the four little ones back then were, six and under... It was a crazy season, I thought I'd never get through! Now those four little ones are 14 1/2 {twin boys}; and our "little" girlies are 12 and 9- I looked into all the published "systems" and found that reading about them was somewhat helpful, but what really worked was to pray about our family. Each family is so unique especially homeschool families!
ReplyDeleteWe're in a groove that really works for us now. We school 4 days a week, taking Fridays off. Friday is our chore day, the four and I dive in and clean the house, bathrooms, their bedrooms, change beds etc. The four days that we are schooling we are just home during school time.
Most important, is to not try to imitate another family's method, but to glean little bits from here and there- yes, find a structure that works for you, but also remain flexible in that things don't always fall into a paper schedule, and not to go to hard on yourself when a day doesn't go smoothly.
I'll be praying for you Charlotte that you may find the peace of the Lord in this area.
In Him,
Kimberly
Homeschooling A Handful
Other tasks just happen during the school day, the children help with the laundry, dishes, it serves a couple purposes, one is that it gives them a little break, a reason to get up from the school table, where they aren't looking intently at words and it's useful, they are contributing to the running of the family.
My Hubby is involved also. He makes the lesson plans and corrects all the work. I teach it, then he corrects it and some times has to go over those corrections with the children. Some evenings get very late for him, but he really enjoys being a part of the school.
The biggest thing for me is practicing patience. I may really want to get out to the grocery store {as an example}; I'll be twitching to go even, sometimes the trips just don't happen when I want, I've found that
Hi Charlotte- I've 5 children. Our oldest {now 22} Was once a busy middle homeschooler and the four little ones back then were, six and under... It was a crazy season, I thought I'd never get through! Now those four little ones are 14 1/2 {twin boys}; and our "little" girlies are 12 and 9- I looked into all the published "systems" and found that reading about them was somewhat helpful, but what really worked was to pray about our family. Each family is so unique especially homeschool families!
ReplyDeleteWe're in a groove that really works for us now. We school 4 days a week, taking Fridays off. Friday is our chore day, the four and I dive in and clean the house, bathrooms, their bedrooms, change beds etc. The four days that we are schooling we are just home during school time.
Most important, is to not try to imitate another family's method, but to glean little bits from here and there- yes, find a structure that works for you, but also remain flexible in that things don't always fall into a paper schedule, and not to go to hard on yourself when a day doesn't go smoothly.
I'll be praying for you Charlotte that you may find the peace of the Lord in this area.
In Him,
Kimberly
Homeschooling A Handful
Other tasks just happen during the school day, the children help with the laundry, dishes, it serves a couple purposes, one is that it gives them a little break, a reason to get up from the school table, where they aren't looking intently at words and it's useful, they are contributing to the running of the family.
My Hubby is involved also. He makes the lesson plans and corrects all the work. I teach it, then he corrects it and some times has to go over those corrections with the children. Some evenings get very late for him, but he really enjoys being a part of the school.
The biggest thing for me is practicing patience. I may really want to get out to the grocery store {as an example}; I'll be twitching to go even, sometimes the trips just don't happen when I want, I've found that
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ReplyDeleteFunny - I ran into a friend at the library the other afternoon and she pulled out a book from her stack and joked about how she's checking out *another* home organization book. She ended, "But after I read it I'll tell myself that it doesn't fit my situation exactly, so it won't help. And nothing will change at my house." Well, at least she doesn't have any illusions about herself!
ReplyDeleteThis has been the bane of my existence. I fly by the seat of my pants and the pants are flying away. My house is a cluttered mess with things shoved into boxes and shoved into spare rooms when company comes. I've also left cluttered hotspots throughout the house. It's awful. I need organization and help keeping organized.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to hear if you find something. I know I should just invent it for myself.