After the Detailed Look Through the Learning Spaces post, Jaime asks...
"I would love to hear more about how your daily routines go....how does your day flow?"
Keep in mind that organization and order are helps to the busy mother. There is an investment of time on the front end of organizing something - whether that is your school room or your day - but the payoffs are that you become the manager of the day, a manager of the time, not a slave to it reacting to everything that comes up.
Organizing the day means anticipating as much as possible and leaving PLENTY of elbow room in the schedule for those things I cannot anticipate. I move through the day on the rails I laid down - habits of order and obedience. If I'm derailed for a time, I just pick up the rails NOT where I left off, but where I should be in the day. Shift what was missed to another day (I do this all.the.time!) A Mother's day just does not work on a strict schedule or rule. A Mother's Rule is dictated by LOVE and must be open to being flexible while being obedient to her vocation.
I was starting to self-destruct trying to react to all the things that hit me during the day, so this loose "Rule" is my answer to meeting the day. Think of it as a Rule...with Wide Margins! :) It's really more of a rhythm than a rule. I think St. Benedict offers us much wisdom - it is good to have a Rule in place that offers us opportunities for obedience, humility, and service. Our vocations demand certain obedience to the daily duty. A Mother's Rule for her day must consider her vocation as well as the persons (little and big) she encounters in her day. A Mother's Rule must have sufficient space for LOVE - dialogue, snuggles, spontaneous tickles, discipline, crisis:
The following is my answer....my rule of LOVE. I offer it as a way of sharing and so that it might be a starting place for you to consider...
First, I'll point out that I move through my day in "blocks of time". Organizational methods are aplenty, but this one I discovered a few years ago and it has been a keeper! Blocks allow for elbow room - dirty diapers, a skinned knee, a request to read a favorite book, spilled orange juice, the extra 3 loads of laundry, snuggle time in the rocking chair watching the birds out the window - blocks of time are my "wide margins". Keep that in mind for EVERYTHING you read here.
:: Rise and Shine Time (5:30 - 8:00)
We're up early here - around 5:30 or 5:45! A confession - I'm not a morning person, at least not by nature. I am, however, learning to love the beauty in the morning hours even if rising at this hour is a real mortification for me. Here's what the morning block consists of:
Ok - another confession - my times are ishy! lol! So, when I say "8:00" please read, "8:00-ish" :) More elbow room! If I'm reading a book to my little fella at 8:00, you better believe I don't hop up and say, "ok, enough of that, time to move on to our next thing!" My day has more of a rhythm and less of a rule. Does that seem contradictory? It all goes back to that quote in Colossians...love binds all in harmony.
There are two learning blocks during this two hour period. I set a basic rhythm to the blocks. I'll include a copy of one day of my lesson plans which I build in iCal (it's a calendar program for macs, but I think you could do something similar with google cal or another calendar application). You can see in detail what I plan.
Another word of caution...do not assume that each day includes everything listed on my plan! Remember, some days are full and move with a predictable rhythm, other days I make room for rabbit trails. We're not tied to this schedule, nor are we slaves to it. BUT, it is a huge help to anticipate for example, that while I'm teaching an Algebra lesson I cannot be focusing my attention elsewhere...so it's helpful to have something independent assigned to other children while my attention is focused on one child. And, nothing is really ever without interruption here...so I anticipate as much as I can and try to be patient and gentle with the rest. Love binds everything in harmony.
:: Lunch and Angelus (11:30 - 1:o0)
From 11:30 to 12:00 we quick tidy our spaces, swishing toys and objects into place (explanation of the quick tidy on this post - scroll down a bit). The Angelus is a short prayer at noon and lunch follows afterward. We clean up the kitchen together. Everyone has a job - everyone! If there is any free time after clean-up it is used for playing. I'm usually swishing laundry in the wash, out of the dryer, and starting my dinner.
:: Learning Blocks (1:00 - 3:00-ish)
If you've seen my iCal plans, you see that my learning blocks appear to go until 4:00 in the afternoon - YIKES! We don't usually go that long. Since most of these afternoon learning times are fairly independent, the children move at their own pace. When they've completed a book or an assignment, we move on, regardless of a time that may be on the plans. If however, I'm unavailable because of a mini-crisis (diaper explosion requiring change, bath, and laundry), the children know that we'll pick up the next learning block when I'm available again. Building the learning blocks sooooo BIG in iCal gives me that freedom of movement in the day.
:: Afternoon Time (4:00 - 6:00-ish)
We ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS end our lessons and begin a period of free time with a quick swish through the house and a quick tidy. It leaves the learning spaces fresh for the next day, and makes the home pleasing for daddy who will arrive home shortly. Quick tidies never take more than 15 minutes of time. After quick tidy the children have some free time, though some help me with dinner prep. I bounce between dinner prep, laundry, and baby. On the rare day that my dinner is almost completely put together by this point, laundry is caught up and humming along, and the baby is napping, I might catch up on emails, watch an episode of the Barefoot Contessa, read something delightful, or look at something online. Rob is usually home at this point so his agenda is on my radar as well!
:: Evening Time (6:00 - 8:00-ish)
There's dinner and clean-up during this time - hopefully closer to 6 than 8! We try to have family read aloud time (though we haven't read anything lately - I need to begin again!), and family rosary is the last event of the evening. Bedtime is generally around 8, but again ishy - more reading aloud. Our oldest sometimes stays up later with us, or sometimes she just reads well into the night :)
:: The Remains of the Day (8:00 - 10:00-ish)
:) Here's where Rob and I finally catch up with each other. We might have a conversation together about something I'm fairly busting to talk about (without the presence of little ears)! Sometimes he watches something on tv, whilst I have some computer time or read a book, or sometimes lately there are dueling laptops. :) Many evenings we set aside this time for our "date night", watching a movie together while sipping a glass of wine! I love the remains of the day with my guy!
That's it. It's off to bed and start all over again the next day. This is a fairly typical day. It doesn't account for trips out of the home which I am very guarded about during school hours. The only exception being Monday morning Mass. Sometimes after Mass we stop at the market for the week's groceries, grab a treat for lunch and then start the day from there.
I hope this helps, Jamie! I'm not perfect, nor am I perfectly organized! I am learning that order, obedience, and service can all be acts of LOVE expressed in my vocation. It gives me great joy to find ways to faithfully live my vocation while offering all to Our Lord. The Holy Family, and Our Lady in particular offer me a great example of service with joy. All their efforts, all the little parts of the day, every thought and action was focused on living God's will and embracing the Divine Child.
For some, the rhythm I live is far too structured, others may find way too much wiggle room in it. :) We're each unique, and God gives us each unique talents for living out our vocations and our days. Focus on God's will for your family and keep your eyes on HIM. Don't ever allow an idea here or anywhere to cripple you. Reflect on ideas you find inspirational and then offer it to God. He'll let you know exactly what to do with it. His yoke is easy and His burden is light.
I pray your days are lovely, filled with expressions of love, and that this little glimpse into my day has been helpful.
Keep in mind that organization and order are helps to the busy mother. There is an investment of time on the front end of organizing something - whether that is your school room or your day - but the payoffs are that you become the manager of the day, a manager of the time, not a slave to it reacting to everything that comes up.Organizing the day means anticipating as much as possible and leaving PLENTY of elbow room in the schedule for those things I cannot anticipate. I move through the day on the rails I laid down - habits of order and obedience. If I'm derailed for a time, I just pick up the rails NOT where I left off, but where I should be in the day. Shift what was missed to another day (I do this all.the.time!) A Mother's day just does not work on a strict schedule or rule. A Mother's Rule is dictated by LOVE and must be open to being flexible while being obedient to her vocation.
I was starting to self-destruct trying to react to all the things that hit me during the day, so this loose "Rule" is my answer to meeting the day. Think of it as a Rule...with Wide Margins! :) It's really more of a rhythm than a rule. I think St. Benedict offers us much wisdom - it is good to have a Rule in place that offers us opportunities for obedience, humility, and service. Our vocations demand certain obedience to the daily duty. A Mother's Rule for her day must consider her vocation as well as the persons (little and big) she encounters in her day. A Mother's Rule must have sufficient space for LOVE - dialogue, snuggles, spontaneous tickles, discipline, crisis:
"And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."Colossians 3:14Love will bind the parts of the day together - those parts that are ordered and flow smoothly and those that seem to unravel around us. As long as we seek order and cover all with love - the day will be pleasing and harmonious. Count it all for good.
The following is my answer....my rule of LOVE. I offer it as a way of sharing and so that it might be a starting place for you to consider...
First, I'll point out that I move through my day in "blocks of time". Organizational methods are aplenty, but this one I discovered a few years ago and it has been a keeper! Blocks allow for elbow room - dirty diapers, a skinned knee, a request to read a favorite book, spilled orange juice, the extra 3 loads of laundry, snuggle time in the rocking chair watching the birds out the window - blocks of time are my "wide margins". Keep that in mind for EVERYTHING you read here.
:: Rise and Shine Time (5:30 - 8:00)
We're up early here - around 5:30 or 5:45! A confession - I'm not a morning person, at least not by nature. I am, however, learning to love the beauty in the morning hours even if rising at this hour is a real mortification for me. Here's what the morning block consists of:
~ While I'm nursing the littlest I say my morning prayers privately. These consist of prayers from my Mother Love prayer book and In Conversation With God. During this time the children stumble down and sit at my feet while I'm praying. The two older children are kind enough to know not to disturb until I finish my prayers, the 4 year old is in training. :) I've visited with you before on my daily prayer routine.:: Morning Family Block (8:00 - 9:30)
~ KEY to a happy day.....choose a happy apron to wear! :)
~ Coffee, breakfast, morning visiting, breakfast clean-up, kitchen tidy, observation of the morning birds.
~ Morning chores. Everyone has their own. The children get dressed and tend to morning hygiene, beds are made. I start laundry, tidy the living spaces, and take a look at the lesson plans for the day. I set out (some call this strewing) little vignettes or displays of books or activities. These aren't ornate or complicated - many times this is a picture book, a statue of Our Lady or another Saint, and a coloring page. Very, very simple here - lest the temptation to become side-tracked on a tangent takes over!
~ Free time with the leftover time in this block. I might check in at 4Real...or do some other online research, call mom for a **quick** chat :) Sometimes I am firming up the lesson plans for the day. The children are ALWAYS enjoying playing outside during this time.
Ok - another confession - my times are ishy! lol! So, when I say "8:00" please read, "8:00-ish" :) More elbow room! If I'm reading a book to my little fella at 8:00, you better believe I don't hop up and say, "ok, enough of that, time to move on to our next thing!" My day has more of a rhythm and less of a rule. Does that seem contradictory? It all goes back to that quote in Colossians...love binds all in harmony.
~Morning basket of work. I reserve the first hour of our learning time as together time. These are things we all do together. I have students from 8th grade down to preschool/Kindergarten-ish age. I gather all my resources into a large basket (hence the name) so it's all kept together. We begin with morning prayers and devotions and a bit of reading from or about the Solemnity/Feast/Feria of the day. I like reading from A Year in Faith and Art. In the morning basket are the following::: Learning Blocks (9:30 - 11:30)
:: Catholic Mosaic
:: Baltimore Catechism questions
:: Angel Food for boys and girls
:: Review latin prayers
:: Poetry
:: Music - we sing something appropriate for the time of year - seasonally or liturgically
:: Nature Friend Magazine or another picture book on the natural world.
Before you all comment and tell me there's too much here....let me say loudly that we don't do everything listed every day except for morning prayers. We've been doing this for a couple of years and it works well for us. We don't really spend a lot of time on any one thing, but we all enjoy being together for this time. It kind of anchors the day. It flows really - for example, if I'm introducing a new Baltimore Catechism lesson I probably read from the Angel Food series and we practice our poems and music and that's it from our morning basket.
There are two learning blocks during this two hour period. I set a basic rhythm to the blocks. I'll include a copy of one day of my lesson plans which I build in iCal (it's a calendar program for macs, but I think you could do something similar with google cal or another calendar application). You can see in detail what I plan.
~ click on the images to enlarge ~
Another word of caution...do not assume that each day includes everything listed on my plan! Remember, some days are full and move with a predictable rhythm, other days I make room for rabbit trails. We're not tied to this schedule, nor are we slaves to it. BUT, it is a huge help to anticipate for example, that while I'm teaching an Algebra lesson I cannot be focusing my attention elsewhere...so it's helpful to have something independent assigned to other children while my attention is focused on one child. And, nothing is really ever without interruption here...so I anticipate as much as I can and try to be patient and gentle with the rest. Love binds everything in harmony.
:: Lunch and Angelus (11:30 - 1:o0)
From 11:30 to 12:00 we quick tidy our spaces, swishing toys and objects into place (explanation of the quick tidy on this post - scroll down a bit). The Angelus is a short prayer at noon and lunch follows afterward. We clean up the kitchen together. Everyone has a job - everyone! If there is any free time after clean-up it is used for playing. I'm usually swishing laundry in the wash, out of the dryer, and starting my dinner.
:: Learning Blocks (1:00 - 3:00-ish)
If you've seen my iCal plans, you see that my learning blocks appear to go until 4:00 in the afternoon - YIKES! We don't usually go that long. Since most of these afternoon learning times are fairly independent, the children move at their own pace. When they've completed a book or an assignment, we move on, regardless of a time that may be on the plans. If however, I'm unavailable because of a mini-crisis (diaper explosion requiring change, bath, and laundry), the children know that we'll pick up the next learning block when I'm available again. Building the learning blocks sooooo BIG in iCal gives me that freedom of movement in the day.
:: Afternoon Time (4:00 - 6:00-ish)
We ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS end our lessons and begin a period of free time with a quick swish through the house and a quick tidy. It leaves the learning spaces fresh for the next day, and makes the home pleasing for daddy who will arrive home shortly. Quick tidies never take more than 15 minutes of time. After quick tidy the children have some free time, though some help me with dinner prep. I bounce between dinner prep, laundry, and baby. On the rare day that my dinner is almost completely put together by this point, laundry is caught up and humming along, and the baby is napping, I might catch up on emails, watch an episode of the Barefoot Contessa, read something delightful, or look at something online. Rob is usually home at this point so his agenda is on my radar as well!
:: Evening Time (6:00 - 8:00-ish)
There's dinner and clean-up during this time - hopefully closer to 6 than 8! We try to have family read aloud time (though we haven't read anything lately - I need to begin again!), and family rosary is the last event of the evening. Bedtime is generally around 8, but again ishy - more reading aloud. Our oldest sometimes stays up later with us, or sometimes she just reads well into the night :)
:: The Remains of the Day (8:00 - 10:00-ish)
:) Here's where Rob and I finally catch up with each other. We might have a conversation together about something I'm fairly busting to talk about (without the presence of little ears)! Sometimes he watches something on tv, whilst I have some computer time or read a book, or sometimes lately there are dueling laptops. :) Many evenings we set aside this time for our "date night", watching a movie together while sipping a glass of wine! I love the remains of the day with my guy!
That's it. It's off to bed and start all over again the next day. This is a fairly typical day. It doesn't account for trips out of the home which I am very guarded about during school hours. The only exception being Monday morning Mass. Sometimes after Mass we stop at the market for the week's groceries, grab a treat for lunch and then start the day from there.
I hope this helps, Jamie! I'm not perfect, nor am I perfectly organized! I am learning that order, obedience, and service can all be acts of LOVE expressed in my vocation. It gives me great joy to find ways to faithfully live my vocation while offering all to Our Lord. The Holy Family, and Our Lady in particular offer me a great example of service with joy. All their efforts, all the little parts of the day, every thought and action was focused on living God's will and embracing the Divine Child.
For some, the rhythm I live is far too structured, others may find way too much wiggle room in it. :) We're each unique, and God gives us each unique talents for living out our vocations and our days. Focus on God's will for your family and keep your eyes on HIM. Don't ever allow an idea here or anywhere to cripple you. Reflect on ideas you find inspirational and then offer it to God. He'll let you know exactly what to do with it. His yoke is easy and His burden is light.
Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam!!!
I pray your days are lovely, filled with expressions of love, and that this little glimpse into my day has been helpful.
19 comments:
Oh Jen, I was up late last night trying to work out a schedule for this coming year and COMPLETELY overwhelmed by it all... (not to mention I'm in the middle of rearranging our home and trying to fit into a smaller room for schooling...) This post was JUST what I was needing to read today. I am SO very thankful that you took the time to share all of this with us. You are amazing!! THANK YOU!!!
...but the payoffs are that you become the manager of the day, a manager of the time, not a slave to it reacting to everything that comes up.
You have no idea how much this speaks to my heart. I am printing this out and going to slowly savor it tonight and for a few days to come!
What a lovely peek at your day. I am finding that I am having to reconsider our whole schedule- the last baby 'derailed' me and I never quite got back on...so many good things to consider here. I noticed that it's subtly broken down along nursing times as well- I think that's where I got so off with the last baby. I didn't really 'make room' for nursing, so I want to be sure of that this time. (#5 is due any day.) Just lovely- thank you for allowing us a peek. Your "rule" is my favorite part.
Thank you so much Jen. Your perspective on the "rule of LOVE" is so inspirational. This glimpse into your daily rhythm is just what I needed right now. The word rhythm has been inspiring me lately because it is helping me find more joy in the repetition of our days instead of viewing it as mundane or monotonous. Thank you for being a true Titus 2 woman by sharing and encouraging women to love their husbands and children and to be keepers of their homes. You are a blessing!!!
Thank you all so much for your warm comments!
Praying that all our days find joy in the ordinary moments!
I just found your blog and love it. I love the pictures of your "homeschooling center" so nice and inviting. We are starting our first year of homeschooling this fall! God bless.
Dear Jen,
I love 'peeking' into your home. I love how you do these lovely sharing view. You seem to be so gentle and organised at the same time. The time and effort you put into these enviroments make me appreciate your generous nature. I pray I can be such an example to my own children and others.
God Bless
Dearest, dearest Jen!!
Aren't you a wonder? There is such ordered calm in your schedule...this is exactly what I'm looking for. I sooo rebel against rigidity, having lived as a slave to a schedule of my own making many years ago. Unfortunately, that rigidity has created a backlash in the complete opposite direction. We have been nearly "schedule-less" and the consequences are disastrous!! Our Lord has been gently (and not so gently!) encouraging me towards a return to self-discipline, yet I've feared the harshness of scheduling my day. You've reminded me that a schedule is meant to "serve not enslave." Thank you so very, very much...
What an amazing post! Thanks so much for taking the time to share this with us all! I'm definitely going to print it and put it in my folder for re-reading! God is so good - he blesses us all tremedously through those around us. Have a wonderful weekend! Lori
Jen,
Thank you so much for a little glimpse into your day and week. As I set goals for next year I think I might use the block idea. Thanks again!
Jen, I've just recently discovered your blog and added it to my reader! What a providential post--we have just resigned ourselves to year-round homeschooling, and with the (now, not so) recent baby, we are sorely in need of more structure! Thank you for your insight. I am not a morning person, and I struggle with getting up early at a consistent time. Can you share how you overcame this? I am convinced that getting up early is one of the keys to a good day, but I need help in the willpower department. Besides prayer, do you have any advice?! :) Thank you!
I never thought of going with where we should be in the schedule rather than picking up where we left off after getting derailed.
This post is a huge blessing! Thank you for the reminders about love binding it all together -
"A loving heart is the truest wisdom."
—Charles Dickens
Jen, thank you for the inspiration! Your use of blocks and picking up where you should be instead of where you left off are both excellent reminders to me. I echo J.C.'s comment - "I am convinced that getting up early is one of the keys to a good day, but I need help in the willpower department" - and look forward to any insight you can share. Silly as it is, my specific question is when do you shower? This task completely derails me, since it wakes my children if I try to do it before they get up, but I feel yucky without being clean. If you're willing to share such an intimate detail, I'm all ears! Thanks!!!
We use the quick tidy also before my husband gets home. It works great! Thank you for sharing this information. It is very helpful.
Hi Jen!! I'm a fellow blogger and have recently found yours. We are about to start our first year of homeschooling, and I just had to tell you that you have been quite an inspiration to me!! I love order and organization - and you have discovered some wonderful ways to make that happen, and in such a lovely way. Anytime I want to start working at organizing our school room, or start thinking about lesson plans, I quick jump on to your blog to get my inspiration!! Thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts.
Heather
www.timelessandtreasured.com
It has blessed me greatly. Thank you for sharing and sharpening us. Proverbs 27:17
Jen, thank you so much, i have recently discovered your blog and am really enjoying your openess and sharing with regards to your schooling set up, amongst others, I was wondering, how you decide what will be in each child's curriculum for the year, I'm especially interested in your 4 year old, as my eldest daughter is four!
many thanks, and best wishes, Jen
I found your blog through the link from Mrs. Happy Housewife. What a fantastic blog! I love this post. It has helped me so much to see how you organize your day.
I have been meaning to read this since the day you posted it...and I'm so glad I finally did!! I think the idea of large blocks is perfect, and am going to try my own version at home! Thanks so much for the wealth of info.
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