Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21
1. Less is More Time ~ When planning your days, lean towards less activities rather than towards more. Unplanned moments and expectations will inevitably invade your day. Leaving a bit of breathing space for these moments allows the unplanned to become an invitation rather than an invasion.
2. In the Word Time ~ Be diligent in taking time to nourish your spirit with quiet moments with Him. Fill up on soul food and feast on the Bread of Life. Schedule this time into your day ~ before the babes awake, during breakfast, after lunch, while they play. As the mom leading your children to Him, be certain to have something to give. Don’t run on empty.
3. Plan Order, Not Time ~ Seeking a peaceful rhythm throughout the day is a prominent goal in my home. Everyday. Organizing the order of activities for the day keeps the rhythm flowing naturally. The children know what to expect and so do I. For me, the order of activities is important, not the actual time when they begin or end. I’ve found that adding a time schedule to each activity in the day can easily add extra pressure unnecessarily.
4. Short Lesson Times ~ Keeping lessons short and varied leads to a happier child resulting in a happier mom. {smile} An interesting article written by Catherine Levison shares some insight on the importance of short and varied lessons. Some words to ponder: The Benefits of Short Lessons in the Charlotte Mason Method
5. Outdoor Time ~ Even in the dead of winter, throw on the snowpants and wooly toques and join the children in the midst of the Creator’s wonderland. Explore, discover, laugh, talk, and play – together. Be creative and intentional with a nature study or simply get the heart beating fast and the lungs breathing deep.
6. Spare the Extras Time ~ Be protective of your time. Time is a gift – every. single. moment. So fill those moments well. If extras are crowding your days, consider slowing down. I have often heard seasoned homeschooling moms share that two extra activities per week is plenty for a child. With multiple children, even two activities can quickly become overwhelming.
Related Links:
A Typical Homeschool Day? ~ Robin @ Heart of Wisdom ~ A collection of homeschool day schedules provided by other homeschooling moms just like us!
Pace Scheduling Options and Optional Paces - This document outlines some options for scheduling your days using Accelerated Christian Education curriculum for grades 1-3. As well, it highlights the Science and Social Studies paces that can be considered optional since they do not meet the learning outcomes prescribed by the BC Ministry of Education.
