This week 4 Moms will be talking about scheduling. Be sure to visit the other 3 Moms to hear different perspectives and ideas and don’t miss next week when we all live blog how a day REALLY goes with real time updates.
Life in a Shoe
The Common Room
Smockity Frocks
I’m a schedule person. I’m also a “drop the silly schedule, spur of the moment” person. I like to have a plan and know what to expect, yet I like to have the flexibility to follow an interest or a whim when it suits. So while we have a pretty specific schedule, we use it as a tool to know what needs to be done and to have a plan to fit it in rather than a master that runs our day.
We’ve found that having a schedule in place gives us something to shoot for even though we rarely (if ever) follow all of it. We get much more done when we have a plan rather than when we don’t.
I was introduced to this type of scheduling just after our fourth child was born. Our children were 3, 2, 1 and newborn and I thought that my days of taking a shower were over when one of my friends recommended the book Managers of Their Homes
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The book changed our home. I went from not having the time to take a shower to being able to have quiet time with God, occasional company for dinner and time each day to rest, knit or crochet.
Did we stick to our schedule? Rarely. However, it provided a plan.
Below is very close to that first schedule that we used. Amber was 3, Kaitlin was 2, Matthew was 14 months, Alyssa was an infant, Mommy was 20 something. (Alyssa usually woke up to nurse at 5:30.)
When each child had their turn “babysitting” Alyssa I was always close by and Alyssa was strapped into her car seat or swing. The children simply showed her toys, talked with her or danced in front of her. They loved having the opportunity to help with the new baby and Alyssa was safe.
Our basic schedule (above) that was put in place over 9 years ago can still be clearly seen in our current, much more complex schedule. We’ve added 5 children, accomplish a lot more each day and specifics have changed, but the basic structure has remained.
Do we stick with it? Rarely. It does still give us a plan.
Amber – 13, Kaitlin – 12, Matthew – 10, Alyssa – 9, Carter – 8, Sadie – 6, Savannah – 5, Colby – 3, Nick – 1, Mommy – 30 something. (Mark is currently not working on the catechism at 6:00 with the younger children because of the 90 Day Challenge. Catechism work will resume at the end of this month.)
Having a specific schedule helps the house to continue to run even when mom doesn’t (like during the first trimester of a pregnancy).
I sometimes think that I may be expendable since so much is done by the children. My role has certainly shifted from the person who did EVERYTHING for EVERYONE to the person who makes sure everything gets done. It’s not that I have less responsibility, it’s just that I’m much more of a manager now.
One other thing that I’d like to point out about our schedule. I am naturally a morning person, it’s just the way God made me. When I wake up, I’m HAPPY and ready to start a fresh new day. On the other hand I’m not that fun at night. Our schedule reflects that aspect of my personality, your schedule should reflect your personality.
I’ve posted a lot about scheduling:
How we create our schedule.
Tips for making a workable schedule.
Our chore list .
Our specific school schedule.
Also visit the other moms of many to read about their scheduling thoughts and ideas:
The Common Room
Smockity Frocks
Life in a Shoe
Do you use a schedule or are you more comfortable without having that structure? Do you think it depends on personality or do you think a basic plan will benefit everyone?
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Yay, another fabulous giveaway from UPrinting.
that will make wonderful wall decor.
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