As I sat discussing schedules with a group of moms,
I kept hearing, "we school well into the afternoon."
Why, I thought, would these moms be schooling for so long
when their children are all still so small?
This puzzled me so I asked more questions
In hopes of helping them find solutions to a shorter school day.
It was from their answers that I discovered something:
These mamas are busy...
With extra-curricular activities.
Between swimming lessons, and women's Bible studies,
These sweet mamas were not able to find time to rest during the day.
Activities pulled them away in the morning,
Causing them to be schooling during nap time or well into the afternoon.
Now, please don't get me wrong,
Extra-curricular activities can be great.
There are so many wonderful opportunities available.
I also don't want anyone to feel she needs to follow my schedule.
But here are a few thoughts to consider.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 reads: to every thing there is a season,
And a time to every purpose under the heaven.
Swimming lessons are beneficial.
Bible studies are encouraging.
But are we being spread too thin as we attempt to fit it all in?
May I ask you to slow down and reconsider your schedule?
There are so many good opportunities out there.
But what is best for you and your family right now?
Sometimes when we choose more we loose what we really want:
Peace, rest, time.
God is so faithful to direct us, even with our schedules.
Seek Him.
Listen to His still, small voice directing you.
And walk confidently into your day
Knowing you walk in the plan He has given you.
Could less be more?
I think it just may be.
Eunora
I get asked some great questions.
Questions from moms seeking ways to do their best.
Recently I was asked, "How do you find "me/personal" time?
Life places so many demands on us as moms.
For those of us who have chosen to homeschool,
We get to be with our kiddos all. day. long.
So, is it possible to get some alone time?
I think so but first this:
The personal time many of us desire usually won't be found,
It must be made.
Creating this kind of space for yourself
Will once again look different for everyone
But I will share with you where I have made space throughout my day.
First, I encourage you to share your need with your spouse.
I say this for two reasons:
The two of you can brainstorm solutions that you will both be excited about.
And, you will support each other in implementing the ideas.
Here are a few ways that worked for me over the years:
Specific wake-up times and bed times.
By setting a time for my children to wake up
I was then able to rise before them and know
I had that time before I would be needed.
If a child woke sooner, I simply told him,
"It's not morning yet," and taught him to stay in bed.
Easier said than done, right?!
But once learned, worth it!
The same is true for bedtime.
My husband and I set a time for bed
And our kiddos were taught they needed to
Stay in bed and be quiet.
This took much training and consistency at first
But again was TOTALLY worth it.
Nap time/quiet rest time.
After lunch, around 1:00, I would read to my boys.
This was the start to nap time
Or what later grew to quiet rest time.
This was a time for us all to rest from interaction.
I have used this space for naps myself, reading,
Exercising, making appointments etc.
For specific ways to include exercise,
I have also done many ideas.
- schedule PE into the week's activities
- adjust the school schedule to include gym time
- put on a video for the kids while working out in another room
These windows of time change with the seasons of life we find ourselves in.
But I do believe, when prioritized and planned for, they can be made.
As much as I think we can create space for ourselves,
I do think there can be a big obstacle.
So next time when I write, I will ask,
Are you involved in too much?
Let me know if these ideas could work for you.
Do you have different ideas that you could add?
Are you faced with circumstances that prevent these ideas from working for you?
Please feel free to contact me and we can brainstorm together. =)
Eunora
It's almost time.
Just a few short weeks.
And school starts!
What does that look like for us?
I'll tell you!
But remember, every home and family is different.
Our way is not the right way,
It's a way
I share this with you who ask,
"How do you get it all done?"
"How much time do you spend on school?"
"How do you homeschool and do the 'mom stuff?'"
Every year looks a little different but is generally organized the same way.
This year we get to participate in a co-op and I am so excited for this fun addition.
So, Mondays will be completely set apart for co-op,
No additional schooling will be required.
However, we do have some classical music scheduled in our curriculum,
So we will listen to that in the van as we drive to co-op.
Tuesday and Thursday:
8:00- teach 4th grader grammar
2nd grader will work independently on 'seat work.'
8:15- teach 2nd grader language arts lesson
8:30- math
9:00- writing
10:00- recess
10:15- reading
11:15- Independant/seat work
12:00- lunch and read aloud followed by recess
1:00- My Father's World (history, science, art, music, Bible)
this year we will be studying the time period from Creation to the Greeks.
2:00- Finish any unfinished school work
Wednesday:
8:00- teach 4th grader grammar
2nd grader will work independently on 'seat work.'
8:15- teach 2nd grader language arts lesson
8:30- math
9:00- writing
10:00- recess
10:30- Art/Music/Projects
12:00- lunch and read aloud followed by recess
1:00- Finish any unfinished school work
or we may go on a hike, go to the gym to swim... I've got a few ideas. :)
Friday:
8:00- Review our verses we are learning in MFW, sing verse songs, pray, and read
Wisdom With The Millers (shorts stories to teach the proverbs).
8:30- grammar and language arts lesson
9:00- math
9:30- writing
10:00- recess
10:30- MFW
11:00- Independant/seat work
12:00- lunch and read aloud followed by recess
Early day!
In my next post I'll explain how and where I get my 'mom chores' done.;)
Eunora
I'm gonna say it again,
I don't have it all together.
Some of you have seen what I have done over the years.
You've seen my IG pictures and FB posts.
Yes, I've run a marathon.
I've even gutted out an ultra-marathon.
I've used cloth diapers.
And made my own laundry detergent.
I thought baking my own bread was no big deal,
And so for awhile I did that, too.
I cooked my own baby food,
And mixed up our cleaning products.
I loved DIY projects,
And filled my days creating, all while homeschooling.
Back then, others put me on a pedestal.
I knew how others viewed me.
And so I tried to balance up there,
Doing all I could to maintain that image
And be the perfect little housewife.
And then I crashed.
It's hard to teeter up there on that pedestal.
I even believe the health issues I later discovered
Came because of these unrealistic expectations I put upon myself.
And so I come to you now in what I hope is a much more humble position.
I stand among you,
Not above you.
I will continue to share my experiences with you.
But I am still learning SO. Much. Myself.
I don't have every room completely organized.
I don't have everything labeled and color-coordinated.
My schedule doesn't always work.
I now buy my laundry detergent
And our bread, too.
My kids don't always obey cheerfully on the first time.
I (more often than I like to admit) loose my patience.
I get frustrated.
I am frail.
And, at times, I cry.
But through all of this I am learning.
This, my friends, is what the Cross is for.
I won't be able to do it all.
I will fail.
But because of His grace,
I will pick myself up.
Over. And over. And over again.
I will cling tightly to my Savior's hand.
And I will remember,
I don't have to have every closet organized,
Or teach the perfect school year.
I just need to be obedient to what He calls me to do.
And rely on His strength to do it.
Eunora
