Week Three and Four (and Five)

If there has been a resounding theme for weeks three, four and now five it has definitely been relationships, relationships, relationships.  There is nothing more important than my relationship with Jesus, my relationships with my husband and my family and my relationships with friends and acquaintances.

Our life doesn't always reflect that.  In fact, we spend a lot of time just checking boxes.  Trying to get things done.  I think one of the things that I know I definitely need to change is to slow down and really experience each day to its fullest.  No matter what that day looks like.

One thing I am going to try to do at night is write down my activities for the next day.  And then take time to pray over them during my morning quiet time.  Remembering that God can send my way something totally not on my to-do list.  That no matter what is going on, right at that moment, that is exactly where God wants me to be.  Whether it is struggling through a Math lesson and making the thousandth peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

When there is choice between Math and a relationship, the relationship needs to win out.  At the end of the day, life isn't about Math, Science, History etc. (although they are important parts) but it is about people.  Loving people, serving people, sharing the love of Christ with people.  That is what is truly important. . .

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteous, and all these things shall be added to you."  Matthew 6:33

Week Two

I can get use to this no school thing.

It has been hard training myself to take the time to reteach habits and develop good character.  I have let so many things slide because I feel like there is never enough time to get it all done.  And one of the most important parts of being a parent is to instill good habits and develop good character. Those things, I believe, last a life time and are so important in no matter where you end up as an adult.

As far as chores go, each child has a list of weekly chores along with daily chores.  The weekly chores have gone by the way side as well.  So this week we have been working on getting back to those responsibilities.  Just realizing what day of the week it is and just getting the chores done to the very best of our ability.

Training in housekeeping is kind of two fold.  Maybe three fold.  First, I want my kids to be able to take care of a home properly.  Knowing how to clean a toilet or do a load of laundry.  Second, hubby and I both feel that chores are what you do to contribute to the household.  As a part of the family, those few chores are your responsibility.  Life is all about being responsible.  It helps in time management, realizing there isn't a cleaning fairy etc.  Lastly, if I didn't get help somehow, we really couldn't do all the things we enjoy doing.  Right after EG was born I had a cleaning lady.  My oldest was 7 and although she is a great cleaner and help, she was just too young to help me do all that needed to be done.  Once the cleaning lady left, it was up to all of us to keep the house clean and tidy.  Some weeks are definitely better than others!

Another area we worked on this week was our daily devotion time.  We have been pretty good about praying together and reading the Bible together and even encouraging individual quiet time first thing most mornings.  This week, my goal was to add in Scripture memorization.  So that is what we have been working on.  I have a system that I have used in the past and we will resurrect it and working on building/continuing that habit.  Just trying to encourage another life long habit.

Next week I am going to work on paid chores and start adding back some gentle school things.  Things that I really feel are the advantages to homeschooling.  My hope is to get back to nature study, Latin, timeline, art and composure study.  Along with all the domestic habits. . .

Chores

So, this week we are working on our chore charts.  (I really don't like calling them chores.  The top of their chart says "How I contribute to the family.")  We have been using the same chart for quite some time now.  And you would think it would be a habit to just do it, get it done and check it off.  And, it is for awhile.  But then we get busy and lazy and it gets done half heartedly.  By them and me.

I am taking the time, each day, to work with each child and their chores.  We do such things as wiping down bathrooms (always keeps the guest bathroom ready for visitors) and unloading the dishwasher.  In all honesty, the big girls rock at this and last week I even heard them talk about mentoring the little ones.  But that was kind of short lived!

I have been remiss in showing them, especially the littles, how and what I want done.  And so I am taking the time to do that.  I have been trying to get up a little earlier, although fairly unsuccessfully, to get my stuff done so I have time to help them with out feeling rushed.

That has been one of my attitude adjustments that I have been having to make.  Reminding myself we have nothing else to do but get our chores done right.  I have to resist the urge to hurry through so we can move on to something else.

I have had some time to teach basic cooking.  While LM and I were at dance Monday night and Boop and EG were helping daddy with the masterbath, NG made dinner.  Yesterday afternoon I was able to take the time to have Boop help me with last night's dinner.  I want the kids to know how and be comfortable with the basics of living.  Whether male or female.  To be honest, hubby is the true chef in our family.

But, again, I am just trying to solidify our foundation.  I know in a couple months, if I am not careful we will have to double check our work.  But, I feel if I take the time to really ground them in their morning and afternoon chores, if we get off base a little, it will be easier to get back on track.

I might add another layer to work on towards the end of the week.  But, for the next day or so, basic chores are my continued focus. . .

Letting the Kids Know

Yesterday, on our way to Book Discussion, I decided to tell the kids that we were not doing school for the month of March.  In all honesty, I thought I would hear a lot of loud "hurrays" and "yippies."  Instead I heard a very calm "Will we still do Math?" and "Yea, no rules." (That would be EG)

I was quick to clarify there would still be rules but I really wanted to take the time to work on some heart issues that I felt were getting in the way of fully experiencing joyful and peaceful homeschool days.  (Myself included!)  I told them I felt we needed to slow down and really prioritize what we do.

I told them I want to get back to the basics.  To work on a good foundation.  We have developed a lot of bad habits.  Little ones, that day after day, can hinder peaceful progress.  As I was telling Boop, all habits are learned and they are like ruts in our brains.  Things we do, day after day that we don't really think about.  I want to replace some of the bad ruts we have created with good ruts.  I have great kids.  And I really think we do school well.  We just need a few adjustments to make things even better!

We are so darn busy that our goal everyday is to just get finished with what we are doing so we can go on to the next thing.  School is important, activities have value and service is necessary.  But, so is rest.  So is enjoying the simple pleasures of life.

Anyway, I think the kids think they are going to be sleeping in and doing nothing all day.  And there might be some of that.  But we are just going to take our time in everything we do.  Teaching diligence and doing a job right the first time.

Some big projects will be the garden and cleaning and decluttering and organizing.  We are redoing our master bath so the kids will be peeling wallpaper and helping with tile.  I am sure Boop will be helping with tools and such.  

I must keep my expectations in check.  Because we are who we are.  No matter what, we are still a small big family full of sinners.  Each of us growing at our own pace every minute of every day to be Christlike.  And through all of it, truly grateful for the grace and mercy of God. . . .