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Hi,
Despite my best efforts, I just cannot seem to be consistent and get a routine flowing. My kids are young (5.5, 4, 1, 6mo) so things are always hopping with the 2 babies, and my best laid plans usually get foiled. I am wondering how those of you with little ones schedule your day.

I realize that around here every day will be different, and I would be okay with that except that I feel guilty when things just don't get done. This year it's a super big deal, but next year when we officially start Hsing, I want to make sure that we get done what we need to, period.

We have a good breakfast and chore routine down...it's after that that I worry about. If it/s nice, I tend to let them go outside, if they want to read instead of doing the schoolwork, I tend to let them. If they're being super imaginative playing nicely in the basement, I let them. I am kind of a "take advantage of the moment if it's going well" kind of person. BUT--like today, it's almost lunchtime,they're all playing house and I just can't interrupt them to do schoollwork, ya know?

Next year we're doing LHFHG right side, so I know things will be more structured. Can anyone gives me a nugget of things that have worked in your house for a routine? I've tried doing schoolwork right away, but then I end up changing/feeding the babies, and the older 2 go off on their own and start playing. Thats when its hard for me to pull them away. We usually do reading for my oldest during naptime too. Maybe I'm too excited and expecting too much? I really don't ask a lot of them as far as work goes, just 4-5 simple activities in a workbox system.

I know this is random--any ideas?
Amy

amysue277 wrote:Hi,
Despite my best efforts, I just cannot seem to be consistent and get a routine flowing. My kids are young (5.5, 4, 1, 6mo) so things are always hopping with the 2 babies, and my best laid plans usually get foiled. I am wondering how those of you with little ones schedule your day.

I realize that around here every day will be different, and I would be okay with that except that I feel guilty when things just don't get done. This year it's a super big deal, but next year when we officially start Hsing, I want to make sure that we get done what we need to, period.

We have a good breakfast and chore routine down...it's after that that I worry about. If it/s nice, I tend to let them go outside, if they want to read instead of doing the schoolwork, I tend to let them. If they're being super imaginative playing nicely in the basement, I let them. I am kind of a "take advantage of the moment if it's going well" kind of person. BUT--like today, it's almost lunchtime,they're all playing house and I just can't interrupt them to do schoollwork, ya know?

Next year we're doing LHFHG right side, so I know things will be more structured. Can anyone gives me a nugget of things that have worked in your house for a routine? I've tried doing schoolwork right away, but then I end up changing/feeding the babies, and the older 2 go off on their own and start playing. Thats when its hard for me to pull them away. We usually do reading for my oldest during naptime too. Maybe I'm too excited and expecting too much? I really don't ask a lot of them as far as work goes, just 4-5 simple activities in a workbox system.

I know this is random--any ideas?
Amy

Amy,

when my brood was at the stage yours is I really focused on the following:
a consistent wake-up time
developing a morning routine for the children
breakfast as a family
devotion and table time
clean up from breakfast
teeth
get outside!!!
put baby down for nap
snack with reading aloud for olders
free play for youngers and intentional time with olders
Early lunch
more reading aloud
naps
back outside


You may need to break that intentional time down into 2 segments - morning and afternoon or even wait til your husband is home to do it.

You have to remember you are at a stage when your routine will change a lot over the course of the next year, as your children are growing. Be flexible.

You'll get the time in that you need for instruction. Remember you don't need a lot of time.