Scheduling Chores, Activities and Routines

Having just moved into our current home gives us opportunity to re-evaluate our daily schedule and routines.  We homeschool, so that means I have my children home all day every day.  So every meal we typically eat at home (especially since our oldest is lactose-intolerant).   So we expect our children to help fix meals and clean up after the meals.  Also we expect our children to do their laundry and clean their rooms.

So scheduling chores, activities and routines become a natural part of life.  Through the years I have had numerous books and methods shared for scheduling chores.  Two of my favorite ones are "Managers of their Home" by the Maxwell family and "Large Family Logistics" by Kim Brenneman.  Both of these methods have their benefits.  It really depends on your personal preference.

"Managers of their Homes" uses a very detailed approach.  Literally, you break down every minute of every day for everyone in the household and every single thing you all need to accomplish each day.  Once you do this, then you assign tasks to specific time slots.  Each person/activity is color coded.  Once you complete the initial chart, you fill out a large chart that can be put up on a wall where everyone can see it.  This way everyone can see what is going on when.

Another option for scheduling activities is "Large Family Logistics", which breaks things down into routines.  So there would be a morning routine, meal routines, Afternoon Routines, Evening Routines and so forth.  The routines would be specific to your family and your family's needs.  There are also specific days assigned to things like running errands (Town Day), Laundry Day, Kitchen Day, Office Day and so forth.

It really depends on your own preferences or tastes.  I love both.  For someone just looking to begin organizing their day, take time to look at both and decide what works best for your family and the season of life you are in.  Then investigate what is out there.  Regardless of what you decide, I have to say having a written plan is a necessary part of organizing your day.  What methods do you like for organizing your day?  #blogboost

Our Week So Far - Thankful Tuesday

Well, this week is a lot less busy than last week. Last week, we had VBS each night.  Dennis and I led the music and did the opening.  It was wonderful.  Our church did "Weird Animals".  Dennis did great playing Dr. Paws.  My oldest son was a leader for the 7 & 8 years old, and I went around with him.  My second son took pictures.  My third son ended up helping with the 5 and 6 year olds.  And of course our baby girl was in the 9 - 12 year old group.  

We had amazing people in charge of the various activities.  The crafts were fantastic.  Each night, we had animals brought in - including two snakes, a skunk, two dogs, some guinea pigs, a bunny and some other animals.  The children loved them.  

Sunday we had our graduation ceremony and everyone did fantastic!  We sang two of the songs - everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

We are also still doing modified school - meaning we are not back to full force on all the subjects yet.  We still need to add in Latin, Wisdom Books, Chemistry for my oldest two, Literature and IEW SICC-B.  I am getting most of the subjects entered into our online planner for the year.  Once I am done, all the children will need to do is log on to see what they need to do and they can mark it as completed.  Then I can go back and input grades as they finish.

I am reading Paperless Organization in the hopes of going digital for my home management binder.  I am also trying to get more into Flylady and utilizing her routines, Cozi, and the flight plans to help me stay on top of things at the house.  I am also getting ready to re-read Large Family Logistics to try and get some systems in place for living in our new home.

We have had some amazing meals the last few days - including our last quart bag of my father in law's pork bar-b-que.  We had fresh zucchini on the grill last night that our neighbor gave us (he also gave us some lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, mint and basil).  I love having the fresh vegetables.  

I am looking forward to a quiet weekend this weekend, since Dennis has drills.  Plus the children and I will hopefully get some things done around the house.  In two weeks, Dennis and I will be celebrating 22 years of marriage.  That is amazing to me.

So what's up with you today?  I would love for you to share!