Back to my practical self. This is a project I originally did with Mary when my life was a bit simpler with only three kids. It is now time for a new and improved schedule board. The creation of this system was inspired by the concepts in this book .
The background is just a plumbing sheet picked up at Home Depot. The little icons were designed on power point, printed out on cardstock, laminated and attatched by a small piece of magnetic tape. I will note it would have been wise to color code each individual but there was too much arguing amongst the boys as to who got which color. I'm confident it will still work and especially be helpful to those who take over when I finally do have the baby.
I still have half the plumbing sheet open to post up meal plans, job charts, and other useful info like weekly vocab words and individual goals.
The idea is to promote self initiative and eliminate dawdling and whining by the kids and nagging on my part. Some may argue that such a schedule may be stifling but I believe it gives us more freedom. The kids are content knowing what is expected and more likely to perform their tasks quickly knowing afterwards they will have free time. All in all being on a good routine makes us all more efficient and leaves more time to do what we really want to do.
I will not say that every day runs smoothly, especially with the combination of 2 very spirited girls too young to understand the concept. But it does help me establish order in a home that could easily turn to chaos. I will also add that since I have never had a real career it is fun to take my role as a mother and homemaker very seriously.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteAlexis Snow (my neighbor) just sent me your link and I like your schedule. I was just looking at the book yesterday wondering whether it would be useful for my family (husband and three little ones). I will say though, that I think you do have a real career. It is the same as mine and more important than any other that comes to mind;-) Cheers, Rachael
What a great thing to have. My big question about it is how do you get your girls to take such long naps?! Lucky :)
ReplyDeleteRacheal-
ReplyDeleteGlad you like the schedule board.
I did not purchase the book but borrowed it from a friend. It is somewhat expensive for what it actually offers. I think if you were homeschooling several children over the age of 8 then it may be helpful.
I first made an excel sheet of time for each individual and then spent about a week observing, studying, pondering as I completed where to assign each activity. But I will say we have a lot of flexibility as we don't fuss around with a lot of extra commitments like sports teams, classes, and activities.
The hard part is implementing the schedule. I used an incentive program we call "pentagon punch out" (you can look under Feb. or March for our post on it) to help motivate the kids.
The board allows for easy edits with the magnetic pieces - I do anticipate changes as we adjust to the new baby. And again it is just a guide.
As for the book.... check ebay or amazon. I have seen it cheaper there. But I don't think it is essential.
Nicole,
ReplyDeleteMy girls don't actually nap that long - I have only had one really good napper in my family so far. But I have trained them to have "quiet alone time" from a very early age - otherwise I would not get the break I so badly need in the middle of the day.
I typically give Clara a pile of books in her crib and a few safe toys. She will play and babble to herself for quite awhile and as long as she is happy I leave her in her crib for her scheduled time.
Maryanna on the other hand is a bit more reckless. I have to keep her door locked during those two hours otherwise she would be up to all sorts of trouble. Her room is safe and she typically falls asleep for at least an hour. The extra hour and half she can look at books, do puzzels, or play with toys. I guess there is a fine line between "quiet time" and "nap time".
I wish Peter would nap still. Instead we lay out his quilt and he picks a pile of toys, books, and one lego set. Sometimes he'll fall asleep and if not he is welcome to join the older boys doing school work. The minute he becomes disrubtive he has to go back to his quiet time spot.
My problem is by the time I have everyone settled I'm need my own nap!
You have such great ideas. I like how everything is done with pictures so little ones can understand.
ReplyDeleteI like how you simplified it a little with general categories, "free time", "play time" etc. I still have all my little icons. I'll have to reinstate a new chart once the baby is born.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of using the plumbing sheet! Makes it a lot easier to rearrange the schedule. And have room for other things like you said - the menu, vocabulary words, etc. Right now our schedule is on the side of the fridge but I want to put it on a wall that has plenty of space in our kitchen. The plumbing sheet would be perfect!
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