S is for schedule

My family runs on a schedule. Not to regiment our lives and make us miserable, but to give us free time, open days on the calendar, and rest. Over the summer, Toben and I spent a lot of time talking about our family, our kids, and how we could function best when school began.

Last year, it seemed like Audrey did homework from right after school until dinner. It felt like we rushed to get into bed each night. Mornings felt hurried and the girls had to wake up from a dead sleep every morning.

As a result of our new schedule, the girls get to sleep later in the mornings, have lots more time to play after school, and our days together just feel so much more open and free.

I keep myself to a pretty strict schedule too. Again, not to fill up every moment with something, but to see the week as a whole and to know what needs to be done when.

So here's what it looks like:

I keep our family calendar on the fridge. Toben and I both keep our calendars on Entourage, so we can send each other appointments easily. Every week I print out the calendar and put it up where everyone can see it. When I plan menus, I write what's for dinner on each day--and no one asks me "What's for dinner?" I tuck any recipes for the week behind the calendar, and keep a monthly calendar up there too. That way when someone calls about something after this week, I can quickly refer to our calendar and know if whatever it is will work for us.

Underneath is my weekly schedule. Each week I have time scheduled to write, to do laundry, to bake bread, to go to Bible study, to plan and prepare for Girl Scouts, and so on. I also have time set aside to sew, knit, or have friends over.

It's so much easier for me to plan menus, make a grocery list, and shop on Tuesdays than to look in the fridge on a school night and wonder what in the world I can make for dinner. Likewise, I know that that laundry will get done every Monday.

I have other friends who keep schedules like this--and our schedules are all very different. But if you're looking for a basic schedule to tailor to your own life, here's the file for mine:

Download joannes_weekly_schedule.doc

Some things aren't listed because they need to get done every day no matter what--in order to have a good tomorrow. I get the coffee ready the night before. I pack lunches the night before. The girls set out their clothes the night before. Simple things that make the next morning a million times better than if we didn't do them.

Comments

[Marla Taviano]

You're just so darn inspiring!!

[Amanda Mayer]

S is for Salivate.
As in I'm salivating at your organized schedule! I'm working on a schedule that works for us (me)! I've always functioned best on a schedule.
I'm half on half off right now. I'm hoping it's only for a season. Babies do that to me. I'm not a hop right back into life kind of Mama. It takes me more time to get back in the saddle than others, it seems. But I agree with Marla, very inspiring!
(PS I tweaked your copy and kept it. That's a start, yeah? Thanx for sharing the layout.)

[Lisa R=P]

You are so organized. You get everything on the calendar that never hits mine. For example decorating, etc. I just know that my time for "Home Stuff" is Saturday morning before soccer games -- so I make a mental list or paper list and then run like a crazy women for a few hours before I head out the door. I posted our normal schedule this morning -- if you have any thoughts on bringing some sanity and simplicity to that beast let me know :-)

[Heather]

I wish I could regiment myself, but it seems too stern for just the two of us. Maybe i will have to try a loose interpretation of this at our home.

[Holly Smith]

Wow...when I come back, I'm checking more carefully into the schedule for me. I have one for our menu, but really need one for me, too.

I am praying for you today, Friend!

Loove in Him,
Holly

[Joanne (The Simple Wife)]

I sent this email to Lisa and thought I'd post it for anyone else who's interested...

EVERYTHING has to go on the schedule/calendar—or it doesn’t get done!

The biggest difference this year has been our afternoon schedule: Come home from school, eat a HUGE and healthy snack together, then play until 5. Then we get out the homework box (which has pens, pencils, rulers, glue, markers, colored pencils—everything we could ever possibly need for an assignment) and we sit at the dining room table and do homework until 6. I (or Toben) sit with the girls to keep them on track and answer questions, getting up here and there to check on any dinner prep. Then they clean up, help set the table or cook, and then we eat at 6:30. At 7, they get in the tub, 7:30 we pile into my bed to read, then off to bed at 8.

I do try to get some of my “work” done while they do homework—putting things on the calendar, answering email, reading blogs (!), and such.

I know you work outside of the home, so not sure how it would work for you. But the thing is, the girls know the routine and we stick to it—every day. A month into school, they know the drill down pat and could do it even without me. And they’re thriving with the structure. (Audrey is one of those kids who takes as much time to do something as you give her, so limiting homework to 5-6 has made a huge difference for her.)

The best advice is my mom’s—do what’s best for YOUR family. And try different things until you find a schedule that works.

Joanne

[julie]

Thanks for this Joanne! I have been much better about meal planning and posting that for the family to see... but I love the idea of posting a daily schedule too!