Speaking Notes...DAY 2

Hope you enjoyed Day 1 from yesterday. Here's Day 2...


Scheduling

Quiet Time for you…

Best to schedule when little ones are sleeping, having quiet time or when big kiddos are having quiet time or if they are at school.

Devotions: spend 10 minutes reading a chapter of the Bible, pick a verse which is meaningful to you, copy it into a notebook and write a short prayer concerning it. Then take a few minutes to memorize scripture. Finally, go before the Father in prayer.

Better to consistently, each day, spend a half-hour with the Lord, finding it adds up to three and one-half hours a week, than to always look for the hour or two that never happen.

The foundation for everything you do, in and out of your home, grows from your relationship with Jesus.


Assigned Playtime…

Have an assigned playtime for one sibling with another as part of your schedule. Keep it to 20-30 minutes tops. Keep the children’s ages in mind.

Neighborhood playmates – have this time scheduled as well, makes it easier so kids don’t come knocking at dinnertime or other inappropriate times.

Schedule in independent art time. Make sure you train child how to clean up his/her mess.

Independent play should be scheduled at the same time everyday in the same place. Little ones can have their playtime in their crib stocked with fun, safe toys.

Work Habits…

Schedule time in your day to train your child. Continue training until he/she has mastered this job. (chore charts)

Quiet Time…

Daddy Tapes - Daddy can record himself reading books or singing songs so that little ones can listen to him during quiet time when he's gone.
Afternoon naps/quiet time – have one child per room
Quiet time box/tray table – let the kids decorate it and stuff it with fun Dollar Store things that they play with only at this time during the day.

If you homeschool (or on weekends for traditionally schooled children), older children can have quiet time in other spaces of the house (Mom and Dad’s room in a cozy corner next to a bookshelf stocked with books he/she can read, etc.).


Scheduling and Babies…(Remember that I am not a doctor, just a mommy with some experience)

When a baby is part of the master family schedule, the family is able to plan the rest of the day around the baby’s needs. You can schedule appointments, meals, your hobby time around baby’s feedings and naps.

You can try the E.A.S.Y method: Eat, Awake, Sleep, Your time (Secrets of the Baby Whisperer, written by a Brittish Nanny, suggested by pediatricians for new parents) OR Babywise. E.A.S.Y is typically a 3-hour rotating schedule.

Scheduling helps new baby sleep through the night. Have a routine such as bath, lotion, jammies on, book, bottle with a lullaby, then lay baby down. Put baby to sleep AWAKE (It’s hard at first, but keep yourself occupied or go outside for a bit, checking on baby every few minutes or so) so baby learns to soothe him/herself to sleep. Having the same blanket or lovey (one that’s small enough to be transferred to grandma’s house or care giver) can help.

Nursing moms - Scheduling a time for a bottle once a day (we always do one before bed) once baby has successfully mastered nursing, ensures that you can have a babysitter and escape on a date with your hubby.

If newborn baby awakes during the night…keep lights off, noises quieted, no talking with baby. Simply feed, burp and put back down. Change a diaper only if really needed. Keep stimulation to a minimum. Do not stay up with baby even if he/she wants to be awake.

Scheduling Chores…

Have a training week or two for teaching children their chores. You can’t expect them to know how to do the dishes on the first day you tell them to.

Times –
1.) Early in the morning (get dressed, make bed, tidy room, bringing laundry to the laundry area, emptying trash, helping a younger brother or sister, etc.)
2.) Table chores - @ mealtimes (setting the table, putting food away, dirty dishes in sink/dishwasher, washing down the table, sweeping up crumbs under and around table)
3.) Mealtime – having a meal helper for preparing meals once or twice a week. Helps child learn cooking/baking skills and helps you out once child is trained.
4.) Before Bed – pick up toys (you can also do this before Daddy comes home), bath, jammies, brush teeth, put clothes in hamper.

Put your laundry on a schedule…need I say more? It’s just easier. Even two-year-olds can help you toss in some socks or fold towels.

Develop a master chore list on paper! Daily, weekly and monthly. You can rotate if you like, just remember that each child will need training when introducing a new chore. There should be consequences for not doing chores or doing a poor job. Have those set in writing as well so the child knows what to expect.

Interruptions to Your Schedule…

James 1:2 – “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”

If we know interruptions come from the Lord, then we do not need to be frustrated or impatient over them. Treat your interruption with a quiet and gentle spirit. “Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” I Peter 3:4

Little eyes and ears are always watching and listening to how I am going to react to interruptions.

Your Master Schedule…

Try a few different schedules to see what works for your family. Rearrange things. You may not accomplish everything every day, but remember that at least there’s a goal.

You can use a block schedule, an every hour schedule or an every half-hour schedule. I would suggest a block schedule until the children get older. Then you could do an every hour or every half hour schedule. I tried all three and the block works best for us. Less pressure to get everything done.

Start gradually when implementing your master schedule. Take one week and do the morning routine. Once that is mastered, try the evening routine and so on.

Is a Schedule Right for Me?...

Families with one or two children may not need a tight-knit schedule. Have a general time for waking, breakfast, lunch, naptime, outside play, homework/school time, dinner and bedtime.

Larger families or families that school their children at home will benefit more from more tight-knit scheduling.

That's a wrap! Stay tuned for the last day on "Organization" tomorrow! =)