So this is my kid's new schedule. The 'Boys' stands for my two eldest sons, who follow the same exact schedule. It's just easier to do it that way and my other children are named. I didn't add their wake up time or bed time because it wouldn't fit but they wake at 8:00am and bed time is at 9:30.
I haven't had a schedule written down for about 2 years now. I just got burnt out sticking to it. I had too much scheduled and my expectations were too high. After trashing my first schedule a few years back I developed a skeleton of one in my mind...we all did. We all had the old schedule memorized and chunked all the parts that were not working. To be honest I was sick and tired of being bonded to a schedule. I was ready to be liberated. LOL Well the problem I had with that was there were no time restraints on what was to be done. I eventually became burnt out on that. I think I have found a nice balance between the two.
The first step is to be realistic! There are a number of things that are good for our children and that we would like to put into the schedule but there are only 24 hours in a day. Don't set the bar so high that you cannot reach it. Make sure to allow enough time for the job to be completed or you will stress out when it's time to go on to the next thing. Realize that nothing is permanent. If it doesn't work, remove it from the schedule. I've cut small strips of paper the size of my slots just for this purpose. I simply write what I want to change on the strip and tape it on top of the previous slot. Note* I always write the schedule down on notebook paper before transferring it to the final one. That way I can make changes easily.
It takes a while to find your kid's nitch. Just keep playing with it until you find that groove. I must say this schedule works so far and if I find any kinks, I can iron that out. At least this way everything gets done in a decent time frame. Note* Your schedule and your child's must coincide or it will not work well. I'm currently tweaking my own schedule and I'll post it another time. I just wanted to go over what 'Free Time' is at my house and you may not think I'm the best mother but it works well for our family. During 'Free Time' the kids are allowed to pretty much do whatever pleases them, whether that be computer time, video games, books, coloring, playing outside, sleeping etc. Free time is never scheduled play. They are trained to play nicely or else ;) Scheduled 'Computer Play' is always educational and Joel's 'Independent Play' is a choice between coloring, puzzles, books, toys, stamps or outside play. I always let him choose :) So if you are a homeschooling mom like me or just want a little structure in your life. I recommend creating a schedule and try it out for a few weeks. You may be surprised.
4 comments:
I lvoe the idea of cutting it in strips so that you can change it if needed. Thanks for sharing. I always glean ideas from others.
I too do the same with free time. The only thing I might do is monitor my oldest game time. He would do nothing but that all of his free time. I have to encourage him a little more than the others to be more imaginitive. But I agree with having free time to just do as they would like (within reason of course). Smiles.
Thanks for sharing. Have a wonderful week.
Very helpful! We are just in the beginning stages of homeschooling (we've done it unstructured for a year with my daughter but will be starting with more structure and routine soon), and being an "all or nothing" perfectionist, getting the whole schedule down is kind of daunting!!! Always helpful to see how others do it.
Very helpful! We are just in the beginning stages of homeschooling (we've done it unstructured for a year with my daughter but will be starting with more structure and routine soon), and being an "all or nothing" perfectionist, getting the whole schedule down is kind of daunting!!! Always helpful to see how others do it.
I glad this was helpful to others as well as myself :) Happy scheduling!
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