by Charmaine Wistad
So, it’s time to think about getting back to the school year routine. Remembering back to last year, you may be hoping that this year you will be better organized and your day will run more smoothly. Here are some ideas to get you started in the right direction.
ROUTINE is a key word here! Homeschoolers can get by with a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants agenda for only so long. Take the time to PLAN a routine, write it down and then do your best to stick to it.
In your planning try to include the following:
Schedule the housework for the first part of the day. But please, DON’T do it all yourself! Make out a chore chart and have every child who is old enough do several chores each morning. I only have 2 children, but between the 2 of them my entire house gets cleaned thoroughly once a week. I also record the time spent on chores as part of the school day. I put it under the category of “Domestic Skills”.
Know what you want to accomplish every day. Set up a schedule of some sort (whether it is simple or complex) that includes what each child should be doing and at what time it should be done.
Prioritize your time. Schedule the most important things first and everything else will fall into place. Once your schedule is full, it’s imperative that you start saying “no” to further activities. In order to say “yes” to what’s important you must say “no” to what is not. It’s that simple. Take time to use a rating scale. Try dividing your activities into categories. Within each category, give each item a priority rating. By putting it on paper, you will be able to see where your priorities are and adjust your schedule accordingly.
Get connected with like-minded homeschoolers. We all need encouragement to stick to a routine. Find a supportive friend or support group. Or hire a personal life coach to help you think it through, make a plan and stick to it.
Use a visual aid to help you stay on task. To stay on task, I need a visual that I can easily glance at throughout the day so that I don’t miss anyone’s appointments and activities. I purchased a large whiteboard and then, with a permanent magic marker, I made a vertical column for each day of the week and then gave each family member a horizontal section that intersects the days of the week. On Sunday night I sit down with my calendar and I write in the appointments and activities for each of us (using wipe-off markers). I have the whiteboard in a prominent place so that I can check it throughout the day to make sure that I am not forgetting something important. This simple tool has made a huge difference in my peace of mind because I am not nearly as likely to forget anything as I glance at my whiteboard often throughout the day. I also make use of the kitchen timer to remind me that I only have so much time before we need to get out the door.
As you get back to another busy and exciting school year, be sure to add a few of these organizational ideas to your day. They will not only make your days run smoother but they will also give you peace of mind.
Charmaine Wistad has successfully homeschooled her own two children from pre-school through high school. Now she is turning her attention toward helping other homeschool moms. Through personal coaching, Charmaine helps homeschooling moms thrive… not just survive! Visit her website to try a complimentary no-obligation telephone coaching session.
So, it’s time to think about getting back to the school year routine. Remembering back to last year, you may be hoping that this year you will be better organized and your day will run more smoothly. Here are some ideas to get you started in the right direction.
ROUTINE is a key word here! Homeschoolers can get by with a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants agenda for only so long. Take the time to PLAN a routine, write it down and then do your best to stick to it.
In your planning try to include the following:
Schedule the housework for the first part of the day. But please, DON’T do it all yourself! Make out a chore chart and have every child who is old enough do several chores each morning. I only have 2 children, but between the 2 of them my entire house gets cleaned thoroughly once a week. I also record the time spent on chores as part of the school day. I put it under the category of “Domestic Skills”.
Know what you want to accomplish every day. Set up a schedule of some sort (whether it is simple or complex) that includes what each child should be doing and at what time it should be done.
Prioritize your time. Schedule the most important things first and everything else will fall into place. Once your schedule is full, it’s imperative that you start saying “no” to further activities. In order to say “yes” to what’s important you must say “no” to what is not. It’s that simple. Take time to use a rating scale. Try dividing your activities into categories. Within each category, give each item a priority rating. By putting it on paper, you will be able to see where your priorities are and adjust your schedule accordingly.
Get connected with like-minded homeschoolers. We all need encouragement to stick to a routine. Find a supportive friend or support group. Or hire a personal life coach to help you think it through, make a plan and stick to it.
Use a visual aid to help you stay on task. To stay on task, I need a visual that I can easily glance at throughout the day so that I don’t miss anyone’s appointments and activities. I purchased a large whiteboard and then, with a permanent magic marker, I made a vertical column for each day of the week and then gave each family member a horizontal section that intersects the days of the week. On Sunday night I sit down with my calendar and I write in the appointments and activities for each of us (using wipe-off markers). I have the whiteboard in a prominent place so that I can check it throughout the day to make sure that I am not forgetting something important. This simple tool has made a huge difference in my peace of mind because I am not nearly as likely to forget anything as I glance at my whiteboard often throughout the day. I also make use of the kitchen timer to remind me that I only have so much time before we need to get out the door.
As you get back to another busy and exciting school year, be sure to add a few of these organizational ideas to your day. They will not only make your days run smoother but they will also give you peace of mind.
Charmaine Wistad has successfully homeschooled her own two children from pre-school through high school. Now she is turning her attention toward helping other homeschool moms. Through personal coaching, Charmaine helps homeschooling moms thrive… not just survive! Visit her website to try a complimentary no-obligation telephone coaching session.
