When establishing a family schedule you have to figure out what your priorities are for the space of time you are scheduling. For example, in the evening, our priorities are family dinner and scripture study. If, for instance my son has Karate practice from 6:00 to 7:00 on Tuesday night, my Tuesday schedule would look something like this:
6:00-7:00 Karate, Bathe small children,Homework
7:00-7:30 Dinner
7:30-7:45 Scripture Study and family Prayer
7:45-8:00 Family Read out loud
8:00- Bedtime, Karate Kid shower and bed
9:00- lights out
Or something similar to that. To make scheduling work you need to be flexible (I know that sounds weird when talking about schedules) and adaptable. Figure out your priorities and family goals and work your schedule around that. Be willing to try different ways of scheduling and tweak things as you go along.
I find my motivation by keeping my eye on the goal: a quiet, mostly picked up home with kids tucked into bed by 9:00. Seriously, that is my sanity. Does it happen everyday? Nope, but we probably hit it 90% of the time. There is no magical trick to making and keeping a schedule, it takes sheer dogged determination and a lot of really good chocolate.
Shear determination is the only way to reach any goal. I agree with you 100%. The ladies that say, but my children won't do it, baffle me. Anyting worth doing is hard work. But the joy of a well-ordered, loving home is worth it all.
Love the Choc Idea! In fact I have brownies in the oven right now!
Schedules make things so much smoother and calmer!
Love Erika
i love your advice so far. now what is YOUR personal schedule for all of your homemaking duties?
I agree that chocolate is great fuel. Scheduling keeps us sane, being flexible allows us to change, and a day off once a year helps us to really appreciate the order in our lives.
Great post!