Podcast Episode 5 – Home School Structure and Routine

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These are show notes for the Home School Support Network podcast episode number 5.

Structure and Routine

Does every minute have to be scheduled?
How to recognize which one is best for you. “free spirit & people person?” vs. a “task oriented getter don type person?”
WARNING FLAG – don’t be a slave to your schedule

From Mom’s Notes “Structuring Your Children’s Day” part 1
“Many parents do not see how a routine can help bring peace to a home. Nor do they understand how an effective routine often eliminates need for discipline/correction. Think you don’t need a routine?
“Do you see your children getting into trouble more often each day?”
“Do you feel like a truck has run over you by the time your husband gets home each day?”
“Do you feel trapped being at home with your children?”

 

Why have a schedule or routine?

1. Brings order to my day by helping me manage the priorities I set.

• Keeps me from starting many things only to go from one unfinished task to another without focus or direction-“wandering” then wondering where my time went.
• Set your priorities and plan a time for each priority daily/weekly. Where’s your time with God?
• Keep in mind that unless you yourself have structure in your day, it will not matter how structured your child’s day is because you won’t be able to adhere to their routine either.

 

1. Creates contentment

• Children learn submission, humility, self control with a parent directed day. In contrast, without a routine children have too much authority, choice, and control.
• It is amazing to me how many discipline issues are resolved through the consistent use of routine!
• The child does have choices during the day within boundaries (free time). In short, if you don’t direct the day then THEY WILL and this will rarely lead to peace and an adequate learning enviro. Children don’t run the “classroom” and in homeschooling you are now the parent AND the teacher!

 

1. It helps mom be proactive and fosters peacefulness-a necessity with multiple children.

• Set the senario: 4 boys free playing (loosely monitored) in the early evening hours, mom trying to cook….not good!  Plan what to do with each child and expect some trial and error.
• Carla Link states in “Structuring Your Child’s Day” Part 2   “Kids who live without structure can develop behavior problems. Frequent tantrums, whining, a disregard for rules, inappropriate or aggressive behavior, constant demands, and an inability to share are some of the signs that your child needs more structure.”

HOW DO I START?

1. Prayer Phil 4:6
2. Evaluate for a few days/week and write down your existing routine OR write down things as you do them on the appropriate day. *write down realistically how long each thing takes! Ie “Activity List”

INCLUDE:

• self control training- sitting us a skill that must be trained, it does not come natural!
• Chores training
• Devotion/Bible story time with the kids
• Sibling indiv playtime
• Pack and play time/Room-time
• Outside play/nature walk
• Errands including driving time
• Quiet time with books/Storytime
• Structured playtime (coloring/art, puzzles, toys, etc)
• Free play time at a toy box
• Individual time with each child daily/every other day…15 min, 30 min, or more?

3. Do the same thing for your children’s activities

1. Get your spouse’s input
   1. choose which route you want to go-schedule or routine. Either way, make meals, naps, & bedtimes as fixed as you can. If need be, create a M,W,F and T,Th routine.
   2. Check show notes for samples of schedules & for a blank one to get yourself started. Start with the fixed activities and fill in from your Activities List. If your kids are not used to a routine, start with establishing consistent bed and wake times.

WARNING – *Do NOT try to copy someone else’s schedule!  Instead use it for ideas and as a GUIDE.

THINGS TO CONSIDER

• Remember to leave “catch up time”. If you freq feel like you are rushing from one thing to another then you prob haven’t given yourself enough time for each activity.

 

• Look for the most stressful time of the day- that is where you need more structure!

 

• Have a stop time throughout the day at ___:00 and go to next activity no matter where they are at.

 

• When you homeschool there will be days you don’t get anything done but heart training and that’s ok!

 

• Implement “pieces” of your schedule at a time, either AM or PM

 

• *DON’T CHUCK THE WHOLE SCHEDULE IF YOU GET OFF SOMEWHERE!!* Having a sch/routine helps you jump back in where ever you are at that time. Give example

 

• Parting challenge- Have we engaged our children or overseen them all day?  Take encouragement that a schedule will help with this.

HELPS FOR MOM’S DAY

1. Plan meals in advance!

 

• Create a two week meal plan

 

• Eliminates stress if figuring out what’s for dinner (or freezer meals not being thawed!)
• Saves money and time with less grocery store stops (or fast food purchases)

 

• Learn how to use a crockpot…find recipes.

 

1. Create a rotating chore plan.

 

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