Since we began homeschooling I have attempted to find the perfect schedule to fit our day. At times I succeeded, but like everything it had its season – usually about the time it began to work well is when it stops working. You’re not going to believe this, but I have pretty much crumpled up all my pretty schedules & tossed them.
Every day in our house is different – I can’t pinpoint it to just one specific schedule every day/week. Nothing ever seems to stay the same for even 2 consecutive days. Daily life is constantly interrupted by a teething baby, dentist appointments, doctor's visits, Bible studies, extra curricular activities, etc.
So, what do we do all day?
Rather than following a strict minute by minute schedule we have established a bit of a routine . . .
On Mondays I usually let the kids sleep in to insure they start the week out well-rested from the weekend. Normally, they are all up by 8:30ish. Typically, I lay in bed with Trevor sprawled across my bed, Truman snuggled up to me & I lay as still as can be & check my e-mail & read my favorite blogs from my bed with my iPhone. Truman has been waking up around 6:45 each morning, but he is such a happy, snuggly baby he doesn’t disturb the others. Trevor has a mommy sensor so he is up within moments of the slightest movement I make. Once or twice a week I will wake Tyler up early & try to knock language, writing, & reading out before his brother wake up.
Once we are all up we have breakfast together. If Big Daddy is home or the boys sweet talk me in just the right way, I will make a big breakfast (especially in the winter). Otherwise we just have a quick breakfast. Before we start school Tyler tends to our goats & if Big Daddy is home he will help him feed the cows.
I try to start school by 9-9:30, but it doesn’t always go as planned. We almost always start our schooling together with our Science – which includes a devotional most days. We spend about 30 minutes together on this, then I send the Mustangs to a center & work with Tyler on his science supplements.
Next, Tyler will do his independent work (math, handwriting, spelling, explode the code, & any science activities he needs to finish). While he is on his own I will do a craft, math activity, story, & phonics with the mustangs. This time frame varies from 30 minutes to an hour. About half way through we break for about 15 minutes to have a snack & Art appreciation study. Then I will lay Truman down for a nap. I’m working on getting him to nap around 11:15 for at least 45 minutes. If Tyler needs help with any of his work I will just send the boys to a center or give them something to do quietly while I help him.
The mustangs are pretty much done with school at this point & are begging for something to eat. Lunch lasts about 20-30 minutes. This part of my day is my weak point – I’m ready for a break! Often I will send the boys outside to get a some fresh air. Other times they will have quiet time & watch a movie. While they are on their own, I will school with Tyler. If we didn’t get up in the morning together we will work on language, writing, & reading first. Then we will finish with our Tapestry of Grace studies. This is the part of the day that my HELP, Heidi, arrives so that Tyler & I can enjoy our time together with as least interruptions as possible. What a difference this has made!
I chose for Heidi to come on Mondays & Wednesdays – Mondays for the simple reason that if we get off to a great start at the beginning of the week it usually sets the tone for the remainder of the week. Wednesday – because it is the middle of the week & after that I have just one more day :) Heidi is very flexible though, so if something comes up & we need to switch days I can. I’d really like to have her every day, but financially that isn’t an option for me.
Here is a glance at our week:
Monday – Heidi comes, Taylor has tutorials after school, I pick all the 3 B’s up from school, take Tyler & Bannon to guitar, take the little guys to the park while the other boys are at guitar lessons, then the 3 B’s come over for a play date.
Tuesday – I have a women’s Bible Study with women from our community. The boys either stay home with Big Daddy, go to my mil’s, or the church childcare (which is also Heidi).
Wednesday – Heidi is back! I pick Taylor up from school & this is her day for a play date. The kids have church in evenings & Big Daddy & I go to our pastor’s house for a group Bible Study.
Thursday – It is almost over. This is usually the day Taylor has counseling (Tuesdays if the Bible study isn’t happening).
Friday – Enrichment classes!!
Saturday – Horseback riding during the winter.
Sunday – Preparing to do it all over again :)
You see, with all this, a schedule is near impossible. Looking at it all typed out makes me proud that we are able to get done what we do.
So what about you, are you holding tight to a well mapped day or are you learning to just go with the flow of things?
