The Perfect Schedule.
A bit of a lofty goal, don’t you think?
Even thought I know the “ideal day” is elusive, I still long for it! I am SO looking forward to starting homeschool in the fall. We may even start this summer. But, I know that a big contributing factor to our success (or failure) will center around our schedule.
For the longest time, I have avoided a structure at home. It has been a defense mechanism. I CRAVE structure, but with kids there are oh-so-many wild cards and interruptions. Early on in my scheduling efforts I ended up incredibly frustrated when things did not turn out as planned. So, I stopped planning. I would have an idea of what I wanted to do that day, but I tried not to expect too much.
In many ways this has been a good thing. However, (almost six years later) with three kids and homeschooling on the horizon, I don’t think this everyday spontaneity is going to be an option.
To start out in my quest for the perfect schedule, I wrote out what my current days tend to look like. Meals, nap times, parent pick-up, etc tend to be at the same time each day. The most structured time is my mornings. I am up about the same time every day, and I usually have a good chunk of uninterrupted time, which means I am able to CONTROL how my time is spent. The rest of my day, not so much!
I also took a look at some great schedules by some seasoned homeschooling mommas, most of which were modeled after the Managers of Their Homes. But as I tried to use this method I realized that I am not ready for this quite yet. I think it will be extremely helpful in the fall, but I want to first find a basic flow for the day, before I figure out the exact details of who is where.
So, I just started to brainstorm, dream…what would my ideal day with the kids look like?
After jotting down this mess of a schedule, I decided to section the day into chunks. My hopes is that this will have some natural re-booting effects for the days that aren’t going so smoothly!
- Morning Routine 5:30-8:30
- Start laundry
- Short workout
- Shower
- Time with the Lord
- Journalling
- Bible Study
- Hiding Philippians in My Heart
- Breakfast
- Family Devo
- Clean up
- Step 1,2,3 (Get dressed, make bed, brush teeth)
- Orr School 8:30-11:30
- (Details will depend on what curriculum we end up with, but I do hope to have most of our school done before lunch.)
- Afternoon Fun 11:30-2:30
- Lunch
- Clean-up
- Art/Science/PE
- Structured Free Time 2:30-5:30
- Movie/Leapster
- Evening Routine 5:30-7:30
- Dinner
- Clean-up
- Bath
- Step 1,2,3 (Pick up toys and shoes, brush teeth, jammies)
- Family Worship
- BED
The Perfect Schedule is not going to be easily found yet, I do think this will be a good backbone to our days!
Do you have any suggestions for me? Am I missing any big things?!
Great plan! We are starting Homeschool in the fall as well. You are giving me some great ideas on how to manage my day. Thank you!
It looks great so far! I need to simplify mine away from exact times, and fast!
Thanks Sam! Means much, coming from a seasoned HS momma (AKA Super Woman)!
Do you have specific times for each subject? Has that been frustrating, is that why you want to simplify? I wanted to give more specific times, but felt it would be pointless to do so without knowing which curriculum we would end up with.
Interested to know your thoughts!
I have specific times for EVERYTHING. It is very frustrating, because I feel like I fail when I get all things done, but not in the right times. I just don't think I am wired that way. And- sometimes school just has subjects that are shorter or longer some days.
What curriculum are you considering? I feel like I have already tried them all in just two years in!
I have been all over the place.
Lately, I have been on a Sonlight kick and also looking at Ambleside Online. Before then, Heart of Dakota, The Well-Trained Mind…
I feel a big factor is deciding how we want to do history. Start with Ancient? Over 4 years? 6 years? Start with American History? Or, not worry about a strict timeline, but hit them all over a certain period of time. Once I can decide on that, I think it will be easier to decide what to use.
I have Funnix, that I have already started with the kids, and we will continue to use that. Downloaded it for FREE in January.
Next big decision will be Math- Singapore or not?
Then, a Science Curriculum.
Depending on which History/Literature I choose, finding a Bible curriculum (some have Bible included). I have been using Heart of Dakota's Little Hands to Heaven in the afternoon with the kids and we all really like it, and I have LOVED every book that she has suggested to accompany it. Not cheesy, doesn't skip over the difficult passages. God-centered, not Bible-hero centered.
we went with the 4 year classical model for History and Science. We use MOH and Apologia. We really enjoy them
Thanks for sharing your schedule!! I always enjoy seeing how others structure their days. We have only been homeschooling for 2 years, but I feel like I am always tweaking things. Looks like you have a good starting plan!
I have trouble sticking to a schedule. I like your idea of chunks of time- it looks so much more flexible (do-able)! I think a routine is better than a schedule, at least for me. I've enjoyed "meeting" you through the #3in30 link-up.
I think you are very wise to schedule in chunks. I have gone the route of scheduling to the minute and it is nothing but an exercise in frustration.
I think you'll find there are days when you really want to spend a lot more time on something, and it helps to have a bigger perspective than just what you are going to accomplish that day. One of the blessings of homeschooling is that we have the flexibility to stop everything to focus intensively on a character issue, or on service, or even just following a child's passion for something. I have several levels that I look at when I schedule. We have daily lists, yes, but I look at things in weekly, monthly and most importantly, yearly chunks as well.
And frankly, we have gone through particularly challenging seasons with each child in some area when I have had to pull back and look at a "whole childhood" goal. In other words… what is my goal in raising this child? What does this child need right now? Really, homeschooling is just one part of that question. I had one child who went through a very difficult time emotionally and I basically put the brakes on "school" completely. We did lots of reading together, lots of games, lots and lots of creative play and activities. A year later, from an academic perspective, you would never have known we did this.
God in His great wisdom gave you each one of your children, and truly has their best interests at heart. I derive such comfort from the fact that my children are more His than mine. He is faithful to guide us in how we parent and educate each child. It looks different for each of them because they are unique creations. All of my children have different homeschooling stories.
I think your schedule looks great, and with little ones you should have no trouble being done with school before lunch. I think you are going to love it!
" I derive such comfort from the fact that my children are more His than mine" Yes, yes!
Thanks for your encouragement, Patti!
Your schedule looks great! I started out with a schedule, but it quickly turned into more of a daily flow as we abandoned following the clock but continued with the routine. Lately though, things have been really up in the air because we're having some character issues with our middle one and I've had to switch from homeschooling in the morning to homeschooling in the afternoon to accommodate some changes I've had to make for her. I think the key to any schedule is flexibility.
I could've never predicted these issues when I was creating my happy little schedule on the computer months ago!! 
Thanks Catherine, that is my hope- that this would be a flexible guideline for our days, a routine. It is crazy how quickly things change, it makes it hard to come up with that "perfect schedule."