The Daily Routine

We've been busy getting all our ducks in a row for the new school year (we go 4 days per week, year round from September 1 to August 31). I have a new student this year, Seth, so things are going to be quite different than they have been. He is proving to be a much more attentive pupil than I thought he would be, although he does talk nonstop. He's so cheerful and lighthearted, it helps me to try to maintain that mood too. He draws a Frosty the Snowman hat on top of his "8"s, and thinks that "M"s look like Mt. Doom. He's already learned an "F" because that's what Frodo's name begins with. He's a lefty like his big brother and tends to do everything backwards. He even says words backwards like "paper toilet", "spray nose", and "rinse mouth". He's always saying something hilarious, like yesterday when he asked to watch "Little House on the Aquarium". (LOL) I'm so glad I'm not sending him off each day to entertain someone else. Honestly, I'm not looking forward to another round of fractions and multiplication tables down the road, but I'm willing to endure if it means I can have my children close by.

Since I have been greatly helped and encouraged by reading other mom's school, home, and chore plans for their own families, I decided to post ours. We've been on an organized schedule since 2004, and now we wouldn't have a clue how to operate without it. I am working on how to incorporate Seth and Bubbie more into the routine, but here's how it stands now:

I'm posting "blue week". These charts hang on the refrigerator, and the reverse side is "red week". During red week, we do Science instead of Geography/History, and the children's chores are also completely switched. (I do this so they won't get bored and chores are fair and even, and also so that they can't easily memorize their charts and have to actually read them....otherwise there are too many "Oops! I forgot!" moments.) Obviously, the school subjects change as our studies change. I use breakfast and lunch as times for Bible devotion, Bible Study Guide lessons, and Scripture memorization. I keep a notebook with these resources on my china cabinet next to the table.

I suppose some people might be inclined to think that the kids have too many chores. First of all, let me say that my children have tons of play time. They quickly finish their morning chores and lessons so they have time to go out and play before lunch, and the same in the afternoons, in which they are free until supper time. Secondly, it's a great concern of mine that my children not be lazy and shiftless and irresponsible, just because they are with Mama all day long. I'm afraid this is a common pitfall of homeschooling, one that I see quite often. Thirdly, we have a large family, and Mama is much happier and easier to live with when the house is not in constant chaos. The house isn't near as clean as it used to be back when I took care of everything, but at least it's presentable (MOST of the time) and the kids are learning. Plus they are inclined to "maintain" more, instead of creating unnecessary messes, when they are the ones doing some of the cleaning. And fourth, it's good for the kids to build their confidence in their abilities, and they feel like a useful part of our family - and believe me, I miss them when they are gone. Not to mention, when you have a functioning family unit, the kids can see that the family itself is as important as each member; in other words, "You aren't the center of the universe!"

One other useful training tool that I came up with several years ago, is our "Half Done" jar system. The kids each have a jar with their names on them, and the poem "Work While You Work" taped to the side, and a $5 bill taped underneath. Inside the jar are paper slips with unpleasant chores written on them...things such as "scrub the bathtub", "vacuum the van", "clean off book and toy shelves", "windex the appliances", "dust the chair rail", etc. (I also include one "mercy ticket" with a Bible verse in each jar.) When one of the children does a chore half way, or insufficiently, or takes too long (twice as long is half done!), he has to immediately draw a slip and may not do anything else until that chore is completed. Then, when a jar is emptied, that child has to give the $5 bill to the other sibling. (As a true capitalist, I know that COMPETITION breeds QUALITY!) Each time one jar is emptied, we start fresh with both of the jars. That way, if one child is consistently lazy, the other is getting rich. I've found the Half Done jars to be a way for me to cut down on idle words and nagging, which makes the house more cheerful.

My house nor my family is even close to perfect, but at least we do get a little accomplished. And during times of sickness and interruptions, at least there is clean underwear and the sink isn't piled to the ceiling with dishes. My sister was sick recently, and Madelyn went to stay with her for the day. My sister later told me that Madelyn offered to wash her dishes and straighten up, and asked if she had any laundry that needed washing. Madelyn is 8 years old, but thanks to a little time spent in training on my part, she's not just hanging around looking for the next good time; she is a sweet, hardworking, handy young lady who is a blessing to those around her.

Anyone who says that homemaking is a mindless, worthless way of life, says so in ignorance. It takes a lot of time, skill, planning, guts, discipline, and determination - and prayer - to run a home and homeschool. And although I don't have a 401K, I am laying up treasures in heaven, and doing my part in preparing little souls for eternity.

And remember...
If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.