| Schedules; Formation of Good Habits Dear Sisters Often when I get caught up in our busy lives, and there are needful things to be done, I don't think of chores and routines, organising my home in a way that works for us, as an opportunity to train my children in good habits. In our six years of home-training our children it has never crossed my mind! Ha! I'm a slow learner.. But, praise God, He is ever-faithful and is always teaching me. Every so often, I find that we have to re-arrange, re-organise, re-do things around our home. What ran smoothly six months ago, for instance, no longer runs well. Time to reassess! In doing so, I find that I am at the trusty computer, compiling lists. Sisters, I have lists for so many things. Meals & menus, routines, supplements, lunch ideas (always hard for me!) monthly to-do, one time projects. Oh, the list goes on. I enjoy making these lists, as it always fills me with a sense of accomplishment ~ even before I've achieved what's on the lists! hee.. Even so ~ the Lord has been helping me become more organised in my home. My most recent `work' ~ ha! ~ The Block Chore List ~ has taken much thought and planning on my part. You see, dear sisters, it's not just a list of chores to perform. It is planned in a way that we all have to work as a team. How? Because, if either of us fall behind in what we have to do, or get side-tracked, then we let the others down. I started off by creating time`blocks'. These are periods of time throughout the day when we have to get certain things done. Several tasks have to be completed in each block, with no specific time-limit on each task, other than the fact that we have to try our best to have all the set tasks completed by the end of the set block of time. Here is a copy of our time blocks: Block One: 7 - 9am ~ All the children have to wash and dress, clear their room, have breakfast and do regular morning chores. Block Two: 9am - 12.30pm ~ This is our `school' block. It includes morning tea! Block Three: 12.30 - 3pm ~ This includes lunch and free time. Block Four: 3 - 6.30pm ~ This includes family reading, gardening/ sewing/ baking (workshop practice for Sam!) and afternoon chores, as well as afternoon tea! Block Five: 6.30 - 8.30pm ~ This block includes our evening dinner and clean up after dinner. The rest is free time. <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< Block One ~ Sometimes, our children `forget' to wash their face and brush their hair and teeth. Even at their age, I find it necessary to remind them. I told them that if this continued, I would have them fill in a remembrance book. To remember to brush their hair, teeth, wash their face etc, then come to me to sign that this has been done! When we have to go in to town, they remember to do this daily `boudoir'. I'm trying to teach them that it is as important to do this even when they are at home with guests or no guests. Cleanliness. I am also teaching our children that they are blessed to have their own rooms and that they should value this privilege, thereby keeping their places of solitude clean and tidy. That they will enjoy there special `escapes' much more when they look beautiful. I set the example by keeping our bedroom clean and tidy. Gratitude. Our chores are intermingled with each other's. If the dishes aren't washed by the time the `drier' has finished her bathroom chore, then the `drier' is held up. The result? The washer-upper has to do the dish drying too. If the `sweeper' hasn't swept by the time the `mopper' has to mop, then the `sweeper' has to sweep and mop. Naturally, one child is always a chore in front of the other one who has to follow on. The `laundry-lady' has to have a basket load ready for the `hanger-outer'. Each day, there is a one-time chore for each of us ~ extra, which go hand in hand with each other. Responsibility. Block Two: I like to start our school block as close to the designated time as possible ~ when we are able to do school, that is. What we don't finish by this time, we leave ~ for another day! So many times, we have cut one designated block short, because there were delays in another. This habit follows through to so many other issues in our lives, and the end result? Frustration (amongst many other bad character traits as a result). I find it so very needful, sisters, to be steadfast in this and to teach it to my children. Dependability. Block Three: "Aaaaaahhhhh.... free time", they say. So be it. But.. it has to be earned. Within reason, though. I want my children to understand that to work and be busy is desired of us. Rewards come as a result of hard work. The fruits of our labours. Appreciation. Block Four: It is always a joy to our children when mamma reads to them ~ even Emma! I love to see their enthusiasm, as they hurriedly fetch the book we have been busy reading. Unfortunately, I haven't, in past times, fit this time of family togetherness into a special slot within our schedule. No longer the case, though! There is much to be said about family discussion. Yet another way to encourage this amongst the children, in a relaxed manner. The only trouble is ~ there is also much discussion as to who will nurse which pet as we sit together! Communication. Each afternoon of the week, we try to incorporate some aspect of necessary tasks, teach the children what needs to be done. The girls and I sew and bake, while Andre apprentices Sam within the workshop. Lifeskills. Block Five: The finale of our day! A time when we sit and eat together and teach and learn. The `highlight' of the day, when Dad gets to sit with us. Our busy day is coming to an end, and there is nothing sweeter than the sense of accomplishment. I usually cook the evening meal. One girl washes the dishes, the other dries the dishes. Sam sweeps the kitchen floor (we try to allocate more masculine and outdoor chores to Sam usually). During the day, each of the girls gets a chance to make a meal. The rest of us wash and dry the dishes. It is a rotating meal making system! Whoever cooks, cleans their own counter top, thereby preventing carefree mess at the expense of others. We are all considerate of the fact that when it is our turn to cook, not to pointlessly use unnecessary pots and pans; a dilemma for the washer-upper and drier! We work as a team. Consideration. Well, sisters, hope this helps! It has taken me a long time to come to this understanding. May our desires continue in the path of our honourable role as wives, mothers and homemakers! With love, Helen |