I am still working on my schedule. I know schedules are scary. They feel restrictive and uncomfortable. Why do we want someone telling us what to do and when? Even if that someone is the person we were yesterday or last year when we made up the schedule? Get off my back woman! That’s also what my husband is thinking even though he hasn’t said it yet.
But what our husbands and our kids and our present selves need to remember is that schedules make things happen. Schedules give us time for all the things we should do and want to do. If kids want meals then they need to get to bed on time so Mom can do the mending and reading she needs to do while they’re asleep instead of doing it during the day when she should be making dinner. If kids want to go to park day on Friday then we have to get our work done the rest of the week. It makes sense doesn’t it?
I know this schedule kick I’m on is going to be transforming for our family. I have already noticed a huge difference just in going to bed early and getting up early. Huge.
Planning
What I have done this last week is to write down everything that is important to me and then schedule a time to do it. Some of the things I want to do but keep putting off because I can’t find the time are studying photography, sewing, writing in my journal, etc. If I know I have 30 minutes scheduled every morning to study photography then I won’t find myself surfing the internet reading photography blogs at 4:oo in the afternoon when I should be starting dinner. At least that’s the plan.
I have a different schedule for every day of the week to fit in things like piano lessons, park day, field trips and errands but a day at home goes like this…
Monday
5:00 Photography
5:30 Blog
6:30 Email
7:00 Start Breakfast, get kids up and ready, laundry
7:30 Breakfast, wash dishes
8:00 Jobs, pick up, vacuum, bathrooms
8:30 Mom school
10:30 Exercise, shower
11:30 Get Lunch ready
12:00 Quick sweep for kids
12:30 Lunch, clean up
1:00 Personal study time for the older kids and I, quiet time for the little girls
3:00 Family activity time – go for a walk, play a game or work in the yard
4:00 Cook dinner and make veggie tray for tomorrow’s snack
5:00 Quick sweep for kids
5:30 Serve dinner and wash dishes
6:30 Baths, get ready for bed, clean bedrooms
7:00 Family reading time
7:30 Kids in bed, Mom gets ready for bed
8:00 Sewing (Every night! Woo hoo!)
9:00 Reading
10:00 Lights out for Mom
Reality
I know we will never be able to follow it perfectly and we will make a lot of changes as we go along but this is a good start and for the moment I am thoroughly enjoying being bossed around by that one lady. You know that lady that made the schedule in the first place? She is one smart momma. And she’s telling me my time’s up for blogging and It’s time to get working on the sweet baby’s quilt.
Find out more about SMART Habits.
Photos
Don’t ever try to take cat food out of your baby’s mouth unless you are up for a good biting, kicking, screaming match. Apparently that cat food is good stuff. Not that I’m going to be trying it any time soon.
I have actually been working on the same thing! Great minds think alike! There is so much that I want to do and at times I think that I don’t have the time. In reality I look back over my day and think, “What did I accomplish?” Some days it’s a lot and other nothing at all. I want to know that I have time to work on projects, personal study and spend time with my family. My hardest thing with the schedule is time outside of the house. Play dates, neighborhood groups with other mommies, errands, etc. It will come with time!
Lara says: That’s my problem. I look back at my days and feel like I didn’t accomplish anything when in reality I did a lot. It was just a lot of stuff I didn’t intend to do. I’m excited to finally have a plan.
At least she is eating something
Love your schedule…although let us know how you exercise AND shower in one hour! Would love that. You have a similar rhythm that I like, although I need to exercise first thing as I don’t like dragging my kids to the gym.
Lara says: Ok, that one is kind of a joke. I have yet to try it but it was the only place I could fit it in! I’m not a primper so I could exercise for 30 minutes and take a fast shower before getting lunch ready. I’m not doing it this week because I’m sick so I’ll try it when I’m feeling better.
You definitely have me thinking…I need to work on this although it is summer and we aren’t doing any real sit down homeschooling…I need personal study time, reading time, and family activity time (that one I struggle with…so much to do that’s not nearly as important, but I do it anyway) and the only way to get that in is to schedule it in. Would love to see your other days as well. You should post them all week!
I ate cat food too when I was little. Can’t remember how it tasted, though, but I sure like tuna!
I don’t like the new schedule : kate
I always feel like I want someone to walk in and just tell me what to do until I set up a schedule and “that lady” yap yap yaps at me to do things. Very very good point, though. Schedule things, do more. That lady will have have to put it in her back pocket for a while to think about.
I appreciate your sharing your scheduale. I have one on the door; large, that I am working with; it is not perfect yet… but close.
Please keep sharing the scheduling things. We are working through this too and helps to see what kinks I am not covering! I appreciate you sharing!
I want to know how you get the kids to bed by 8. I was able to do this with the older kids. But with the older kids having late schedules and the younger ones hearing the commotion, it is hard to convince them to settle down.
Thanks for reminding me to have a schedule. Now if I will just stick to it. Thanks for sharing and helping.
Suzanne
Keep meaning to sort out my time management but it never seems to happen. i really like your ideas. Would also like to say that your photos are amazing. My youngest liked to eat the dogs food when he was very young. He’s stopped doing it now but does like to share his ice-cream with her.
Thanks for sharing your schedule. It really helps me to get new ideas from concrete examples like these.
I am really inspired & blessed by reading your posts about putting a family schedule together. I currently only have one little toddler, she’s 2 years and 3 months and is such a joy in our family! My desire though as you mentioned in one of your posts is to reorganize my priorities to be those that are honoring and glorifying to the Lord and that our family enjoys to do! Thank you. Would you mind sharing the rest of your weeks daily schedules with us? Thanks so much!