Current Rhythms of Life

I love a schedule. It's really more of a rhythm since it's constantly being thrown off by the needs of a husband and children. Gone are the days are doing a task at 10:30 sharp. Someone's going to need to sit on the potty or we're going to clean food off the floor or...you get the idea. My little people are always more important than my to-do list. 

And yet, having a rhythm gives everyone stability. I know what to expect. I know when the work is going to be done so I don't have to stress over it. I'm getting really good at saying, "Oh, the rug needs vacuumed. That's ok because I'll do it on Monday." 

There's a lot of research (google it) about how having a schedule helps children. They know what to expect. They learn there is a time and place for activities. They grow in self-discipline as they follow a schedule. 

But our schedule is constantly changing. It changes as children stop napping or cut out a nap. It changes when things are added to your schedule. It changes as children grow and start doing new things. It changes as seasons of life change. Moves, job transitions, new babies, and new responsibilities all affect the rhythm of life. That's why I prefer to call it a rhythm. 

photo courtesy of samuiblue/freedigitalphotos.net

So what does our rhythm look like now? 

Mondays are cleaning day. We do all of our major cleaning on Mondays now. I really like this change and it's still pretty new. While it does make Monday a full day it frees up time on other days.  It typically takes all day to clean the whole house because I stop frequently to read books, practice piano, play outside, cook, snuggle the baby, do laundry, etc. That's the whole point of being here! 

Tuesdays (over the summer) a teen girl from church spends the day with us. We bake, play with the boys, and chat. It's a lot of fun! 

Wednesdays (every other week) are shopping day! And I mean groceries. I do NOT prefer to go clothes shopping with small children and the budget prefers I don't do that every other week anyway :) Shopping typically takes us out of the house from after breakfast to just before lunch. 

Thursdays alternate. One week we have a playdate with a friend and her little boy. The other week (after shopping day) we have kitchen day. We bake, freeze meat, make chicken broth; generally we prepare the food we bought the day before. Again, this takes all day because we are doing all of our "normal" activities too. 

Fridays we go to Toddler Time and then have Date Night once the boys are in bed. 

Weekends don't change that much. We are pretty busy at church and then Justin does yard work and sometimes parents visit. 

We make it a priority for the boys and I to be home as much as possible. How else can we read stacks of books, play games, go for walks, swing, snuggle, and learn new things if we're not here?  It you're going to be a homemaker you have to be there! If you are going to train children, it's easiest at home.

Home is Micah's favorite place right now. It's not unusual for him to ask when we are going home soon after we arrive somewhere else. I want to make home a place they enjoy the entire time they live here. Our rhythm helps us do that. And of course the rhythm benefits my husband too. He enjoys a clean house, clothes to wear, yummy food, happy children, and plenty of fun! 

Of course we have a daily rhythm of when we eat, play, practice, rest, read, and all that other stuff. But this has gone on long enough! 

What's your rhythm? What's your secret for making it work for your family?

Benefits of a Schedule

"I work for a King. He has put me in charge of his home. When He comes to see how I have managed His possessions and His children, I do not want to be found wanting. I want to do my best. Everything I have is on loan from Him. I have room and board and a job to do, but it is all for Him. Therefore I want to dress my best and do my best in all my work. I also want to be creative, for this is a sincere attempt to glorify Him and His beautiful creation. How I manage my home is a form of worship to Him." --Lydia Sherman

We stick to a pretty regular routine here in the Hensley home and it’s done on purpose! I have tried to arrange my schedule by what works best for my husband and son because it’s really not about me, right? For example, Micah is clingy in the morning and I try remember the familiar reference of a gas tank. His emotional gas tank has to be filled up before he is ready to play alone or obey. My schedule allows us that time in the morning to reconnect and cuddle. And who doesn’t love that?? I could be very frustrated every morning if I planned big tasks for right before breakfast and Micah fussed the whole time. Why do that to myself? The great thing is that you don’t have to (or need to!) follow my schedule. But find what works for your family and stick with it!

Benefits:

1. Less stress: I know what I need to do each day to keep my home clean and comfortable for my family.

2. Family time: Because I’ve scheduled, I’m free to spend time with Justin and Micah and not feel guilty about it! I plan in playtime with Micah and time with Justin.

3. Easy pickup: Our home generally can be company ready in 5-15 minutes unless you come in the middle of my cleaning. Then, well, you can just be happy that I clean! But normally I can just wash the dishes and pick up toys.

4. Focused work: I don’t waste time wondering what I should do first or when I should do it. I can just go do it.

5. Less guilt: I’m not thinking that I should be spending that time with Micah or Justin instead of cleaning or thinking about the housework that needs to be done while spending time with my family. I don’t feel guilty if I take a nap while Micah sleeps. (Honestly, sometimes that’s the best thing I can do for my family.)

Now occasionally if I have extra things to do go get ready for a trip or to have company the next day, I may make a list of tasks. A friend of mine gave me the great idea of keeping a dry-erase board in the kitchen for this. Unfortunately I haven't gotten one yet, but I will! Other than these occasions, I just work off my schedule.

Next week I will talk about my cleaning schedule and how that works for our family!