Another scheduling/doing too much thread...

[MotherGoose]

Hi,

I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed.  I know that the simple answer is: do less.  We are part of a drop off/pay coop that we've been doing for 7 years.  Kids love it and I like the break.  It does require homework, quite a bit.  I tend to be more "school at home," and really don't feel comfortable with changing that towards more unschool (and really couldn't given the coop even if I wanted to). I've seriously considered stopping the coop but I don't think that's the answer.  I've been working on an elaborate schedule with times and everything.  (Go ahead and laugh, please!!  :)  Did I mention I also have a baby?  Anyway, when I think it's futile, I keep remember a quote in the WTM that says to start with a schedule, try your best to adhere to it, then realize how much time things are actually going to take, and go with it.  

 

Last year I had no real schedule (had a baby in the midst) and I felt like there was chaos all the time.  At least now, I am well and baby sleeps at night (usually).  But now he'll be busy eating the school supplies.  Trying to figure out how to work with one so she understands her math, get the other to read the chapter before book discussion time, keeping them both from going off into la-la-land without supervision...I can't seem to see any other way to do it besides a schedule that, even when baby makes us veer off course, we return to.  With times and all.  Has anyone actually done this?  

[wintermom]

Is the coop once a week all day? Are you duplicating any subjects at home, or can the coop course be considered the academic subject? If you all enjoy the coop, then use it as your foundation and build up your schedule around the courses there, adding where needed at home. 

[MotherGoose]

Is the coop once a week all day? Are you duplicating any subjects at home, or can the coop course be considered the academic subject? If you all enjoy the coop, then use it as your foundation and build up your schedule around the courses there, adding where needed at home.

We are already doing that. It does require some things I wouldn't choose to do, and makes us have to do science and history separately, which I dislike. It is once a week all day....hard to give up that time and kids don't want to either.

[fralala]

Ooh, working on an elaborate schedule is my guilty little pleasure. Who cares if I have to scrap all of it? Using my precious free time to plan a super-organized and ambitious future for our home school fulfills me in a way that even chocolate ice cream will not. So I say go for it.

 

I have a notebook for each kid. I write down the day's schedule/what needs to be accomplished in the notebook. It takes 5-10 mins. at the end of the day to copy from my planner to their notebooks, along with little decorations and such-- and of course, boxes for them to check off. And then when I have to run off and pull a cord out of baby's mouth or change a diaper or try to get him down for a nap, they are supposed to refer to their notebook and work on something that doesn't require my teaching/oversight.

 

My kids are pretty good about this, although we do end up with unchecked boxes some days...they will stick to the schedule and do their chores, too, if we have an afternoon activity/excursion planned that is contingent on finishing school, so I do resort to...well, I prefer the word "incentives" to "bribery"...

Edited July 20, 2016 by fralala

[wintermom]

We are already doing that. It does require some things I wouldn't choose to do, and makes us have to do science and history separately, which I dislike. It is once a week all day....hard to give up that time and kids don't want to either.

 

Yes, this is exactly why I avoided coops with academic subjects and lots of homework when the dc were young. I wanted to do history and science a certain way. I also never wanted to be tied to one place all day. Is there a way to only do half day or one subject?

[Garga]

Are you only asking whether or not you should create a schedule with times?

 

Because I say if that's what you want to know, then my answer is yes. Why not? :)

 

We start at 8:00 and set a timer and work until 8:55 on writing. Then we take a five minute break, with a timer set. At 9:00 we start again and work until 9:45. Then set the timer for 5 minutes and take a break. Etc, etc, until we hit 11:00, which is when we eat lunch. To a timer.

 

We start back up at 11:50 and so forth.

 

Well, that's what we did last year. I have to switch things up next year, but we'll still be using timers and doing things at set times.

 

I love doing it that way. Yes, some days we get a little derailed, but not by much. Of course, there's no toddler...

 

But even with a toddler, I'd give it a solid try before ditching a schedule. Create one, then tweak as necessary as you go.

 

Note: when we started using the timer things got better for us. The kids liked knowing when their dreaded subjects would end (math for them) and looked forward to when the good ones would start (like history.).

[MotherGoose]

Yes, this is exactly why I avoided coops with academic subjects and lots of homework when the dc were young. I wanted to do history and science a certain way. I also never wanted to be tied to one place all day. Is there a way to only do half day or one subject?

 

Unfortunately not. And it's quite a drive from my house.

Are you only asking whether or not you should create a schedule with times?

Because I say if that's what you want to know, then my answer is yes. Why not? :)

We start at 8:00 and set a timer and work until 8:55 on writing. Then we take a five minute break, with a timer set. At 9:00 we start again and work until 9:45. Then set the timer for 5 minutes and take a break. Etc, etc, until we hit 11:00, which is when we eat lunch. To a timer.

We start back up at 11:50 and so forth.

Well, that's what we did last year. I have to switch things up next year, but we'll still be using timers and doing things at set times.

I love doing it that way. Yes, some days we get a little derailed, but not by much. Of course, there's no toddler...

But even with a toddler, I'd give it a solid try before ditching a schedule. Create one, then tweak as necessary as you go.

Note: when we started using the timer things got better for us. The kids liked knowing when their dreaded subjects would end (math for them) and looked forward to when the good ones would start (like history.).

Well I'm wondering if anyone has actually done a schedule and even remotely managed to stick to it, especially with the baby factor. In some ways I would like to be more go with the flow, but going with the flow ends up in disaster. When I remember to set a timer, things go smoother for other things. Like meals---my children will sit at the table for an hour reading, talking, deciding they are still hungry, staring out the window. Etc. which is fine, but not when we have things to do. Or chores. Set a timer and those clothes are folded within 10 mins...if not, Who knows? Edited July 21, 2016 by MotherGoose

[Needingdirection]

How old are your school aged kids? (And your too little for school ones?)

 

Actually as I'm thinking about it, can you tell me a little more about each kid as well? (Assuming you might be ok with a theoretical, untested plan?)

 

Every kid and family is a little different, so while my daughter loved to be held and worn, maybe your baby is an active crawler that would do better on a blanket with toys...

 

I don't really have experience, but I do have to have something of a cheque since I've been working from home since my daughter was 10 weeks...or I'm willing to give brainstorming with you a try?

Edited July 21, 2016 by Needingdirection

[Garga]

Well, without babies, I definately have a schedule. It would be nice if someone who has little ones and who likes schedules could chime in and say what their experience has been.

 

If no one does, you can always try it for yourself. It sounds like you're hoping for some ideas or tips from people who have schooled this way with little ones.

 

I would try it, but would also know I'd have to tweak it because babies/toddlers tend to change every few months. They nap at X time, but then 6 months later, they don't nap at X time anymore, now it's Y. Or they're calm and quiet for a month or two, and then go through a period of fighting everything mom wants to do. Your schedule would have to change as the baby/toddler grows and changes.

 

The kind of person I am, I'd create a schedule, but be ready to change it as the kids' needs change.

[Another Lynn]

It sounds like using a timer is helpful to you all, so definitely use it!

 

Otherwise, I think setting a routine sometimes works better than setting a schedule.  It's mostly a matter of mindset.  Telling myself we were going to use a schedule turned me into a stressed out, nagging, never satisfied mother.  Using a routine brought order without resentment, thank goodness, lol.  

[Monica_in_Switzerland]

We are routine people, but with certain items set to clock times.  7:30 breakfast, 8am start, 12 lunch, 1pm nap time.  In between, things get slotted in according to a schedule, and take as long as they take.  

[lanalouwho]

Make the schedule. Pick a few priority things to use as your anchors. I have a 2 year old and a Kindergartener.

Our schedule looks like this:

9 am: Breakfast/Memory work/Read Aloud (anchor)

After that, we do Logic and thinking skills type stuff. Then take a break.

10:30- Math (anchor)

Followed by geography/history

12- snack/free time

1:30-toddler nap/phonics (anchor

 

Science once a week in the afternoon.

 

If we get off track or don't get to the in-between subjects, I don't stress about it. I just use those anchor times to bring us back to focus.

 

Sent from my HTCD200LVW using Tapatalk

Edited July 21, 2016 by lanalouwho

[Sahamamama]

Hi,

I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed.  I know that the simple answer is: do less.  We are part of a drop off/pay coop that we've been doing for 7 years.  Kids love it and I like the break.  It does require homework, quite a bit.  I tend to be more "school at home," and really don't feel comfortable with changing that towards more unschool (and really couldn't given the coop even if I wanted to). I've seriously considered stopping the coop but I don't think that's the answer.  I've been working on an elaborate schedule with times and everything.  (Go ahead and laugh, please!!   :)  Did I mention I also have a baby?  Anyway, when I think it's futile, I keep remember a quote in the WTM that says to start with a schedule, try your best to adhere to it, then realize how much time things are actually going to take, and go with it.  

 

Last year I had no real schedule (had a baby in the midst) and I felt like there was chaos all the time.  At least now, I am well and baby sleeps at night (usually).  But now he'll be busy eating the school supplies.  Trying to figure out how to work with one so she understands her math, get the other to read the chapter before book discussion time, keeping them both from going off into la-la-land without supervision...I can't seem to see any other way to do it besides a schedule that, even when baby makes us veer off course, we return to.  With times and all.  Has anyone actually done this?  

 

Well, I don't know if this will help at all, but whenever I feel as though "something" needs to change, I start with the thing(s) that do work well for us, keeping those, and then go from there. If the co-op piece of what you do is working for you -- and it seems to be, from what you posted -- then I wouldn't tweak that piece. Ask yourself plenty of questions about it -- how it is working (or not), why it is working (or not), how your approach to it works (or not), and so on. Then you will at least have that solid ground to stand on, knowing what you want to keep and why you want to keep it.

 

As for what you do at home, what changes do you need to make to:

• Your school's physical structure (e.g., students' access to materials, keeping children in your line-of-sight, designated play areas for the baby, and so on)?
• Your daily & weekly routines (e.g., morning routines, chores, laundry, meals, hygiene, errands, appointments, hours home, hours out, packing up to leave, putting things away upon return, nap/quiet times, evening routines, and so on)?
• Your students' level of independence vs. teacher-directed work? (see below)
• Your use of the co-op classes & homework to "cover" those subjects, not doubling up on them by doing more at home?

As for the level of independence you can expect (and work towards), that depends on the ages and personalities of your students. :) What I've been able to do here has been to make daily work lists (DWLs) each night, after the children are in bed. Since I'm working from my yearly Master Plan (LOL), it takes about ten minutes each school night to type & print out three lists (two are nearly identical, though). In the morning, the girls know to get through our Morning Routine, then begin their Independent Work, while I throw in some laundry, clean the kitchen, clean something else, or just finish my coffee. :)

 

Then, we either start Group Work (all together) or I begin one grade level's Tutor Time, while the other student(s) work(s) on her remaining Independent Work. Break, snack, switch. I could never be successful with a schedule with times, but we've been doing very well with this kind of "listed day." If we don't finish all the work on the list, that's okay, because I know that I tend to put more on there than what we'll actually do. But it helps to have it listed (with no times attached).

 

FWIW, I hate times attached to work. I hate that feeling of always being "behind." Sure source of stress, and (at least for us) it's totally unnecessary. Why do I homeschool in the first place, if I have to be always looking at the clock? But we definitely are much more productive when we work with a list for the day, rather than just "wing it."

 

Of course, we're not doing this with a baby in the house, so probably nothing I just said applies to your situation! :willy_nilly: LOL. But, still... HTH.

Edited July 21, 2016 by Sahamamama

[RootAnn]

I have to have a school schedule. I've had a school schedule since my oldest started doing school. I include the non-school-age-kids as 'break time'. Diaper changes, potty training, and wild three year olds cutting their hair under the bed all throw us off schedule, but I have to have the schedule to stay sane.

 

I adhere to it as much as necessary - just moving onto wherever I pick up the next thing. A loop schedule might work, too, if you find the time schedule thing doesn't go well.

 

I'll admit that losing an entire day wouldn't work for us. I have enough trouble losing an afternoon for an outside class, but I've adjusted to that. Losing two afternoons (outside class + group PE) just about makes me  :willy_nilly:  and then having the kids insist that they must also have half-days on Friday because they work ALL DAY every other day makes me  :001_rolleyes: and  :smilielol5: then  :smash: . But the youngers usually get their half-days on Friday because they don't have as much schoolwork - if we (mostly) stick to the schedule and I'm able to get the youngers done in the morning.

[Sahamamama]

Ooh, working on an elaborate schedule is my guilty little pleasure. Who cares if I have to scrap all of it? Using my precious free time to plan a super-organized and ambitious future for our home school fulfills me in a way that even chocolate ice cream will not. So I say go for it.

 

I have a notebook for each kid. I write down the day's schedule/what needs to be accomplished in the notebook. It takes 5-10 mins. at the end of the day to copy from my planner to their notebooks, along with little decorations and such-- and of course, boxes for them to check off. And then when I have to run off and pull a cord out of baby's mouth or change a diaper or try to get him down for a nap, they are supposed to refer to their notebook and work on something that doesn't require my teaching/oversight.

 

My kids are pretty good about this, although we do end up with unchecked boxes some days...they will stick to the schedule and do their chores, too, if we have an afternoon activity/excursion planned that is contingent on finishing school, so I do resort to...well, I prefer the word "incentives" to "bribery"...

 

:lol: :lol: Thank you for the laugh!

 

[Sahamamama]

Unfortunately not. And it's quite a drive from my house.

Well I'm wondering if anyone has actually done a schedule and even remotely managed to stick to it, especially with the baby factor. In some ways I would like to be more go with the flow, but going with the flow ends up in disaster. When I remember to set a timer, things go smoother for other things. Like meals---my children will sit at the table for an hour reading, talking, deciding they are still hungry, staring out the window. Etc. which is fine, but not when we have things to do. Or chores. Set a timer and those clothes are folded within 10 mins...if not, Who knows?

 

I think your children, like most children, will reflect the level of discipline and focus that you require. So if you seem to be relaxed and unconcerned about the time-frames of tasks -- more focused on the experiential or relational aspects -- then they probably will not attend as much to time. Most of us will take the time (for lunch or chores or anything) that seems available to us.

 

On the other hand, if you convey a sense of "this is the time we have for this task," then they will probably pay more attention to that structure. So you will have to decide which days will be more "flow-y" and which will be more "drill-sergeant-y." If you want to have low-key days, then you'll need to take more off the "must do" list. If you want to "get more done," you'll have to have that task orientation. For me, the younger the child, the less task oriented I want to be. But as they get a bit older, we do try to kick it up a notch. HTH.

Edited July 21, 2016 by Sahamamama

[Tracy]

I can't seem to see any other way to do it besides a schedule that, even when baby makes us veer off course, we return to.  With times and all.  Has anyone actually done this?  

 

I think it depends largely on your kids.  My ds8 could do it, and might even prefer it.  My dd11 could never do it in a million years.  She just doesn't have any concept of time passing or how long things take.  It would be so exceedingly laborious for me to make her adhere to a schedule in that manner that it wouldn't be worth it.  

 

I was talking about this issue with dd11 recently, lamenting that we were entering middle school and wondering how she was going to do it all.  She gave me this nugget of wisdom.  "I want you to stop telling me what to do all day long. I know I can't go to ballet (or whatever other community thing she has going on) unless my work is done. There is no other greater motivation for me to get my work done.  You don't need to worry about it so much."  

 

So I am working really hard on setting things up so that it is very easy for her to know what is expected to be done each day.  And I am going to try to be more hands off and work really hard on enforcing the natural consequences.  

 

Also, your situation is the very reason that we do not participate in co-ops. Yes, it is an easy place to find friends.  But I just can't bring myself to do it at the expense of our entire school week.  That means that I need to put a lot more work into building and maintaining friendships.  But my kids still have way more friends than I ever did in public school.  

[MotherGoose]

Thank you so much for all the thoughtful replies! You give me lots of hope. :). Olders are 2nd and 5th grade. 2nd grader is very responsible and if you give her a list, she will make sure it gets done. It's quite astonishing actually. But, I don't want to hand her a pile of workbooks and call it done, and I want to do lots of reading aloud and things with her. I don't want Her to get lost just because she's compliant. She also of course needs my help because she's 7. Reads pretty well.

 

Older is not nearly as responsible and is my dreamer. (Much as I was). She needs me to keep her on track, and I need to keep on track, because if I don't I'll wander out into the yard and an hour later wonder where the time went. Well I used to before I had a baby. She reads very well, but is prone to make careless mistakes or to complete things in a messy manner to say she finished. She is easily distracted--not in an ADHD way.

 

Baby is 9 months, and is getting too heavy and too active to wear unless he needs a nap and we aren't at home. He's a content baby most of the time. I've never had a time oriented schedule for him, but he has a decent routine down. We are early risers-- if anyone's still asleep much after 6:30 I start to wonder if they are okay. :D. I've been getting up at 5 to have some time to myself. I'm also introverted, and I feel very very drained after spending all day in constant interaction, esp with my oldest because She's a talker.

 

Part of this whole thing is that I really sort of see that I am going to NEED a pretty strict schedule or routine if I'm going to survive at this. Summer break has reminded me of how nice it was to have kids younger than school age when you don't have to do all this stuff! Ive turned into a full time working mom instead of a SAHM, which is way harder than the last time I was employed with no kids.

 

I have the house pretty much under control, with organized method for getting chores done. I am thankful to have someone come about twice a month to do the major cleaning--but we have to pick up for her.

Edited July 21, 2016 by MotherGoose

[Needingdirection]

Ok, so your content baby might enjoy a few bins of busy tubs that only come out during school time? I'm thinking maybe a bin of special blocks for school time, maybe a some sensory balls, some board books, etc etc. And I'm pretty sure pint rest will have plenty of ideas for some cheap age appropriate diy type things...

 

And then baby probably still naps? So that would be a really good use able time as well...

 

I agree that read a louds are great! And your responsible 2nd grader does need your help and to have you involved, as does your fifth grader.

 

HOWEVER, your second grader is capable of having a list of some things that she can do on her own...maybe for her evaluate what you can cut and what you can't?

 

For the fifth grader you might want to make a little bit of independent responsibility a goal for her? This is a skill that will carry over to her adult life. Being able to know what needs done and do it-regardless if she wants to be a sahm or a doctor-is going to come in handy for her. I'm not saying by any means to go all or nothing here, but I think she can be responsible for SOME of her own work.

 

If she gets dielstracted, maybe give her a chance to get herself back in track? And then maybe you can put some sort of reward system/natural consequence in place? Perhaps there is a family game night on Fridays for everyone who completed all their weekly school work? Or they can't watch the family movie in the evening until their work is done?

 

And then for the stuff that you decide you still want to do with them (read alouds, 1 on 1 help/teaching) you can do while baby plays with the novelty items?

[Mrs. A]

It helps me to think of our day in chunks. So we have a Before Morning Time chunk, Morning Time, a Math "Hour", Lunch, a Language Arts "Hour" and then a before dinner chunk and an after dinner chunk. Within those blocks of time there are certain things that need to get done and I have a fairly good idea of how long each one takes, but nothing is tied to a specific time on the clock.

 

So before Morning Time we have breakfast, do chores and hygiene, start laundry, etc. During Morning Time we have our regular MT subjects and I also include some free time and a snack in that chunk of time. Our Math Hour is for math but not everyone is doing it at the same time- I bounce between the 3 school age kids, helping as needed and the older 2 each have a couple things they do independently during that time. I won't detail every part of our day, but you get the idea I'm sure.

 

Sometimes I do use a timer, but once I have a good idea for how long something takes I leave the timer aside and just go with it.

 

I hope that helps somewhat.

[Sahamamama]

I'll admit that losing an entire day wouldn't work for us. I have enough trouble losing an afternoon for an outside class, but I've adjusted to that.

 

Also, your situation is the very reason that we do not participate in co-ops. Yes, it is an easy place to find friends.  But I just can't bring myself to do it at the expense of our entire school week.   

 

No co-ops here for us, either. We are just do-it-yourself homeschoolers, and in order to get the work done, we have to be home. The only way it might work for us to have a half or whole day out would be to continue our school work on Saturday. Although we have done that at times, and have no problem doing school work then, it wouldn't work for us to do that long-term. Also, we haven't found a co-op that offers enough academics to be worth the sacrifice of time. So, no co-ops here.

 

Have you seen this recent video by Susan Wise Bauer? It's good food for thought. I agreed with everything she said, and was so glad that we came to these conclusions before we invested heavily in any co-ops. The only thing I ever did was to visit a few once or twice. That was enough for me to see that the outlay was going to be (for us) far higher than the pay-off. I do think that there might be people out there who find a co-op to be a positive, enriching, affordable, and unstressful experience, but for us, with our situation and available options, that would not be the case. HTH.

 

[....]

Part of this whole thing is that I really sort of see that I am going to NEED a pretty strict schedule or routine if I'm going to survive at this. 

 

I'm the most pro-unschooling/relaxed/fly by the seat of your pants homeschooler out there  :tongue_smilie: and even *I* have had to resort to a "school at home" mentality this year.  With schedules for everything...even PE, art and music...  It's like a miniature middle school in our house.   :glare:  Adding a fifth kid really took me over the edge.

 

Last spring, I realized if I didn't schedule everything, some of my kids would be getting more attention than others.  Also, fun things were being neglected.

 

If you need to set up a schedule, I say go for it!

[Momto6inIN]

As a PP mentioned, I like having an approximate chunk of time and knowing what subjects need to be accomplished with me by someone's side during that time. I like to chunk by the hour, but you could do whatever. I purposefully do not fill that chunk to the brim with planned lessons knowing that something can and probably will happen to derail us and throw the day off. The kids know what subjects they need me for and therefore what subjects need to be done during these chunks of time. Other than that they're free to do whatever subjects they can do independently whenever they want. I give them a list of independent work that I fill that in by the week for the 2nd grader and every 9 weeks for the older ones. It's not dated, so if we need to take days off here and there, we do and we don't get off track. They just know they're supposed to do the next box on the paper.

 

If I do find ourselves miraculously on schedule during the day and with a few minutes to spare before going on to the next chunk, then I usually reward myself for our productivity by eating a spoonful of nutella and checking facebook. :) It also gives me a few times throughout the day to switch out the laundry and such.

 

My chunks look something like this:

9-10: Do history with the 9th & 11th graders, then send them off on their assignments and do history with the 2nd grader

10-11: Get everyone started on their math

11-12: Spelling and either grammar or writing with the 2nd grader

12-2: Lunch break and read aloud, get caught up on laundry and emails and maybe steal a few minutes of quiet time to myself while they play outside or on their own right up until 1:59:59

2-3: Do writing with the 9th grader, then do some preschool activities with the 4 year old

3-4: Science with the 2nd grader

4-5: Do either grammar or writing with the 7th grader, then check in with the 11th grader on his language/writing and discuss

 

 

[2_girls_mommy]

I've kept my kids on a schedule since about 3rd grade for the oldest and wished I had started it earlier once I found the joy of it.

 

I have a 2 yr old.  Yes, we have a schedule even with her in the mix.  (Yes it was harder in the newborn year when I nursed and changed constantly...) But really, it just means that from 8-9 is when math and math instruction is going to happen.  It doesn't mean (for us...) that math will be finished in that time.  If dd oversleeps or isn't functioning well then, we may not get to starting it til 8:30 or even 8:40.  But we go over the lesson.  Then later in the day they will finish that math page on their own.  From 8-9 is when they have me to help them and when they have dedicated time to get as much done of that subject as possible to avoid homework later.

 

From 9-10 is latin time.  I may only spend one day a week actually teaching latin.  The rest of the week they pick up the lesson and work through the pages for the week with me to jump in and give direction and answer questions as they need it.  At least some of every hour I am walking around helping the toddler go potty or eat or getting her an activity to do, or switching the laundry or picking up dishes.  I rarely spend a whole hour of a subject with any child in our mornings.

 

And so on.

 

I schedule things they can do completely alone like their reading in the hour before lunch so that I can be working on lunch in the kitchen and taking baby out to play for a few minutes or whatever.

 

We all eat together and they do chores. Then the toddler has a naptime.  It requires a few minutes of going potty and reading to her.  But then she is down for a couple of hours.  So this is when I schedule our subjects that require a lot of discussion and reading together and/or our subjects that will require a lot of hands on stuff they don't want the baby into like when they are scrapbooking for a project for co-op or scouts or whatever. 

 

So Yes, I have a timed schedule every year. And it works well for us.  Over the years since I started that schedule when my kids were in 3rd and 1st grade we added a preschooler to the mix-a 3 yr old family member that we had fulltime until she was 6.  I scheduled her specific activities into the day, what things she could do with us, when I would spend time on practicing preschool songs and color games and whatnot with her.  As she got older that turned into small sessions of preschool reading lessons and whatnot.  And I had activities for her to do during the times I worked one on one with the kids.  Then we had read aloud time altogether, then she went down for a nap, and higher levels of work happened.  I have homework times written into the schedule as well.  I feel at my kids' ages that homework and independence is normal.  I have one that likes to get all of her work done during the day and tries very hard not to have too much homework.  I have another that prefers to be sleepy during the day and likes to work at night.  The schedule works for both of them.  I can't let the one work all night on her own.  She needs some guidance.  But if she starts late or doesn't use her whole hour during the day on her work, then she doesn't mind finishing it up at night if that makes sense.

 

Then we added my newborn to that mix and at another time I kept another toddler during the day with us as well.  We also have to be out of the house nearly every afternoon by a certain time for extracurriculars and we do a full day of co-op too.  So I need us to get things done by a certain time so that we can get a full day in and get out the door by a certain time (and I need everyone to be dressed, for the toddler to have had a nap, and for there to be a plan in place for dinner, and what have you,) so there is a plan and a schedule for everything here.  I don't do well in chaos.

 

Schedules don't mean rigidity.  They don't leave out flexibility.  They just give you your perfect day to start from.  They give you the guidelines to work around without having to think it through each day.

 

We also have a more laid back flow to the days we don't have to leave the house obviously.  So if we read together longer in the afternoon than usual that's ok.

 

ETA, thanks for your grace on reading my terrible comma placements and chatty nature.  When I am typing it's like I am talking.  I cringe when I go back and read it, unedited.  But I don't care enough to make it nice. :)

Edited July 23, 2016 by 2_girls_mommy

[MotherGoose]

Thank you all so much for all your insight! I'm glad to hear that some folks actually manage to do a schedule. I think one of the biggest parts of the schedule is going to be ME: get your behind up and put on your big girl panties and do it! What if you had these three, a full time job, and had to get them all to and from day care in the wee hours? You can do this! Perhaps one of the hardest things about going from SAHM to homeschool mom is the change of pace.

[2_girls_mommy]

The good thing is that the change happens gradually.  You can add a bit more of a schedule.  A starting time.  A lunch time.  An outdoor time.  A chore time.  A dinner prep time.  A rest time where you get some alone time. And figure out where your school work fits in. You don't have to time the lessons to the minute.  Just make sure you set aside time to do all of the things in the day that you need to get done.  Then learn to manage the time you have available.

[...................]

A lot of my friends with school age kids and babies just had to be really, and I mean really realistic about priorities.  My one friend i have in mind, her house was always a  bit funky, her dishes were like, never done, until bedtime, her laundry was in a never ending state of not done, but she had her priorities...they always got out of the house many times per week because they were extroverts, they always had their meals on time, and their water bottles and snacks packed and she was super super sure they got their bath/showers every night...some routines that she thought (and I agree) are important.  

 

I mean, no one really cares if your sink is full of dishes, and your house is, you know, not exactly shiny, and your day isn't perfectly scheduled...but your kids being clean, happy, well fed and, also respectful...these are important things. 

 

The same thing goes with school...you gotta think about your priorities.  The co op sounds fun...and it probbaly would be depressing to spend the entire week at home.  Assuming you aren't also doing many other activities I would keep it.  

 

So then the question is, what is happening those other four days?  Can you pare down to just what's important to you?  My one friend felt that math was very important and did Singapore with all her kids.  She felt the phonics and learning to write were important and used Abeka with all her kids through first grade.  But she felt that history and Science and pretty much everything else could take a back seat until late middle school and assigned her kids Time for Learning for all of that.  The kids would be on a rotation for math and the little ones phonics, the older ones had handwriting and the very old ones had essays and typing assigned by Time for Writing. ...then they would all get on their computer or laptop and to their T4L stuff.

 

Add to that read aloud time during baby's nap from quality literature, or convince your hubby to read aloud at bedtime...and what with the co-op, library books, plenty of playing outside and high quality art and educational materials, you are looking at some happy, well educated kids...!! 

 

PS the friend in question, has some really crazy days with four kids, she works from home 25 hours per week on a career that is very demanding, and her kids schedule is always crazy.  But they are some of the happiest people I know, and her oldest son scored better than 75% of high schoolers, taking the SAT in only 7th grade...he did a lot of co-op work, time for learning, singapore math, and lots of reading....she read aloud from Sonlight books for a few years.....it bears out that you have to make the main thing the main thing....

 

 

Edited July 23, 2016 by Calming Tea

[KSinNS]

Now, I am scheduling challenged, so take what I say with a grain of salt, but a schedule is a tool, not a moral imperative. If it makes your life smooth and peaceful, go for it. If it brings you joy, do it. If you are like me, and it causes stress and gets in the way of productivity, then don't. I block my time: school, work, practicing, meals, and then prioritize within each of those blocks. Some days not everything gets done, and that is okay. When the toddler puts food colouring on the carpet or the Baby has an explosive poop, obviously the plans change. Maybe the 5 yo doesn't read or the 11 yo doesn't do Latin. Life goes on, and it all mostly gets done in the end. The rhythm keeps me sane and happy without getting too stressed. Where I fall down is housework, so I'm working right now to get some rhythms built into our week for that. I think life with kids is a constant work in progress of figuring out what will work for you and your kids right now, and knowing it will change with the next developmental stage. Good luck!

[Tiramisu]

Now, I am scheduling challenged, so take what I say with a grain of salt, but a schedule is a tool, not a moral imperative. If it makes your life smooth and peaceful, go for it. If it brings you joy, do it. If you are like me, and it causes stress and gets in the way of productivity, then don't. I block my time: school, work, practicing, meals, and then prioritize within each of those blocks. Some days not everything gets done, and that is okay. When the toddler puts food colouring on the carpet or the Baby has an explosive poop, obviously the plans change. Maybe the 5 yo doesn't read or the 11 yo doesn't do Latin. Life goes on, and it all mostly gets done in the end. The rhythm keeps me sane and happy without getting too stressed. Where I fall down is housework, so I'm working right now to get some rhythms built into our week for that. I think life with kids is a constant work in progress of figuring out what will work for you and your kids right now, and knowing it will change with the next developmental stage. Good luck!

I just love this post!

[Kat w]

I am in the middle of several things at once here, but I want to come back and answer at length in a lil bit.

 

When I had all 5 kids at home including and toddler and newborn, both with physical issues ( they are adopted , brought home from hospital and born addicted to and drug and alcohol exposed).

 

I'm going to tell you what we did and worked for us, and YES! , it did work lol.

 

The schedule with times is a must and timers work great , tho if you forget it's still OK. When all mine were home ID forget too :)

 

Yes, detail planning with times (starting and stopping) WORKS WONDERS haha :)

 

It will be your best friend :)

 

Be back in a lil bit.

 

It's tough, glad your asking for advise. It's easy to sink in our own despair ( ask me how I know this lol).

 

See ya in a bit

[MotherGoose]

OP here. Thank you for all your advice. I have my schedule made, to the minute. I have meals prepped, frozen, and planned, I have school planned and copied and etc. Baby has special toys and a pack and play. I've been getting him on his part of the schedule fairly well for past week or so (well mainly noticing his natural nap times and working around it), and getting everyone else up on time, especially myself! We are going to continue with coop, because it does meet the criteria SWB indicates are necessary. House is as clean and neat as is reasonable, although I didn't get all the Sumer projects done. Oh well. Here we go!

[Kat w]

Yay!!!

 

You go girl!

What a great feeling that is huh?

Very happy to hear :)