Over the past few months I have received many requests for an updated copy of our Daily Schedule. Our old schedule worked wonderfully for awhile, but, with the changes in our curriculum this year and a new baby toddler, it was time to make some modifications.
This past January I pulled out my copy of Managers of Their Homes
Thankfully the routines that we established during our first couple months of really following this schedule have been such a blessing and my children have taken it upon themselves to continue their daily learning, chores, etc, despite my sleepiness, sickness, and overall lack of organization.
Anyhow, with all the inquiries, I was finally inspired to re-print out our schedule, which is more of just a guide for the day, and share it with you all. Our days don’t always ever go according to plan, but that is okay. The interruptions are usually little blessings in disguise and we just jump ahead to whatever is next. Our schedule allows plenty of room for flexibility and for the rabbit trails we love to follow.
Note: I never did finish filling in the afternoon/evening blocks with the childrens’ chore assignments, etc, but I just assign what is needed each day, depending on our other plans, outings, and daily focus areas.
Oh, this is perfect–at least in theory. It's pretty close to what I have in my head. I just don't do all the kids' schedules too. That makes it too complicated, but you helped with that, I could just put my kiddos names in place of yours…only you have one more on there.
With school winding down, I'm not that worried about the time after the first 3 hours, but the morning time is what I need help with. If I'm organized in the morning, the rest of the day flows so much smoother!!
Thank you, with a grin on my face, I feel as though you did this just for me!
The clicking on the post picture of the schedule worked better, much clearer. Thank you so much. We'll see if I can come up with my own now….
LOVE IT! Very similar to what we do (with 3). The "wishful thinking" made me laugh! I have a "wishful thinking" sleeper as well!
My favorite part is the wishful think too! I have been wanting to come up with a more conrete schedule too. I have had one on the past, but it is time to update!
Ah, Jessica…if only I could be more like you, I wouldn't be doomed to have days like this:
http://patchodirtfarm.blogspot.com/2011/05/some-days-are-tough.html
Here's to getting my act together!
Oh THANK YOU! I've been hoping (as you already know) that you would post your new schedule all year! Would you possibly consider posting a list of all the curriculum you used this past year too? If it's too much, don't worry about it. Seeing your schedule is SO helpful!
Dear Jessica,
I love reading others organising posts.
I must have missed your baby announcment though, congratulations to you all.
Only a day or so until our dumpling arrives.
God Bless
Gae
You're amazing! How do you find time to exercise w/ kids underfoot? And did you find it was harder to manage with less children? I ask b/c I have three (5, 2 and 1) and I can't get a scheduled rhythm day to day. I have high octane kids who go go go physically, which is a challenge to any schedule. Any other tips? Thanks, stephanie
Jamie ~ I'm glad that it will be helpful for you in creating a schedule for your family! 🙂
Roxaline & Amy ~ I am amazed at how little sleep this little one of ours actually needs… lol!
Nadja ~ Don't worry, I have plenty of days like that, and unfortunately I am allergic to wine! :/ I said a prayer for you, hang in there!!
Marie ~ You can see most of the books we are using listed in the schedule, but I will try and put together a separate post soon – maybe listing what has worked well, and what hasn't, this past year.
Gae ~ Thank you! You must be so excited to meet your new little one!!
Stephanie ~ Lately (the past couple months) I haven't been exercising. I am really hoping to start again soon, and hopefully gain control of all the extra weight that has been appearing rapidly this pregnancy… But first I need to get over (or get use to) this morning sickness. However, during the first few months of this year, when I was following this schedule more closely, if I got up right after nursing the baby (she would always fall right back to sleep) all my children would generally stay asleep after I was done exercising. If I didn't do it then, I usually wouldn't have another opportunity until naptime, unless I loaded up the car and took all the kids to the track for a walk. And yes, in some ways my life has gotten a little easier the past few years even though I have much more to do now. . . (Or else I have just gotten use to it by now!!) It is very nice to be able to have my "older" children watch/play with the younger children when I need to get something done. Yours are all still very young!
Fantastic! I love it … I do my calendars and copy them for my parents. Recently was able to sync my home calendar with my dh's work one. Even your font is pretty!
Oh, I'm so glad I saw this post! Thank you so much for sharing your schedule with us. I have a schedule, but nothing this well put together. You have my "type A" personality screaming, "Yes!!", lol 😉
Seriously though, you have inspired me to rethink my schedule that I had recently already re-thunk and thought was pretty good, but now realize is completely lame…did you follow that? I'm not sure I did. Geez, I think it's too late for me to be commenting…
Ah, well. I've downloaded your schedule and I'm going to look it over again and then see how mine could be revamped. But, it will wait for the morning. *yawn* Good night!
Thanks so much for posting this. You are a wonderful inspiration for me!
Thanks for the honest info. Have you posted a family menu (weekly/monthly) by chance? I need to be more diligent about preparing easy affordable meals by the time 5pm rolls around. Thanks, stephanie
Thank you so much for posting this! I can see how it would almost be "easier" with more kids because the older kids are your helping hands. Right now I have to do almost everything, but we're slowly teaching our three year old more and more. Currently, we're working on her dressing and undressing herself every day. With a new baby coming in three months, that alone will be a big help! Also, I have my daughter teaching my 16 month old son how to put clothes into the washing machine (so Mama doesn't have to bend over with a big belly!). It's so cute to watch!
What type of exercise were you doing in the morning? It was quiet enough not to wake anyone up?
Thanks again for all you do and may God you bless you and your new baby!
Katie
Dear Jessica:
I LOVE your blog. I cannot tell you how many of your ideas I have adopted into our homeschool. I noticed that you have your sons using Teaching Textbooks and seem to recall that you used to use Right Start Math. Just wondering what you think of TT after RSM. I love RSM but it is taking a ton of time with my two oldest and the idea of letting my boy who loves computers teach himself would make it easier for me to accomplish more with my littles who often feel neglected during school.
God bless,
Kelly
This is awesome. 🙂 I've used MOTH in the past, too….and when we *stick to it*, the schedules helped so much! LOL….but that is the challenge, right?! I fell away from keeping the schedule after our last baby was born (for many of the same reasons you wrote)…..and have been procrastinating on bringing the book back out again ever since, lol.
Feeling hopeful after reading this! I could *almost* use your list, just minus a few columns 😉 – our days look pretty similar!
Thanks for being willing to share all of these details of your life!! Very, very encouraging!
Dear Jessica, thank you so much for posting this. I love your blog and have been in and out of it this past few days since i saw it:). God Bless!
Hello Jessica-
This daily schedule is great… I used to have one when my older children were younger (now two are in college!0 and last year I replaced my old computer with a Mac (which I love!!) and cannot find the template. I was wondering if you have an empty template I could download or any idea how to go about making one on a Mac? I know you are busy and appreciate any help you can give to me! I follow your blog and am so thankful for you and your wonderful ideas! You are amazing at how much you accomplish and are truly an inspiration to me and my family as we try to live the liturgical life daily. Your ideas are always so helpful to those of us who are less creative so thank you again for all you do and share with us. May God bless you and your beautiful family. On a side note… our FSSP chapel recently received two wonderful priests though I am still praying that someday we are blessed with one of the Fr. Gordons!! Thank you again for any help you can provide. God bless you.
Yours in Christ, through our lady, Dawn in NJ