This is something I really need in my day - order. First, play with the kids, read them books, cook meals and clean house. Then (while the kids are sleeping), I can have my bloggy time. I need this sort of compartmentalization to set boundaries. It's too easy for me to get over-caught up in this online world. Compartmentalizing it to "when the kids are sleeping" helps me not ignore the kids. It also helps me to teach the kids to help with housework, since I want it all done by the time they're in bed :)Charlotte Mason recommends this same sort of thing for kids (scheduling each activity or school subject for about 15-20 minutes, then doing something different). Here's how we use this concept to have the kids help with housework. We set the timer for 15 minutes. That's "clean up" time. We clean up one room, then do something else (like an art project). A while later, we set the timer again and clean up a different room. Sometime during the day, each room usually gets at least picked up. Does it keep the house clean? No. But it does keep it to a sort-of manageable state. And that's good enough for me.
Using the timer, and forcing myself to stay off the computer when it's "play with the kids time" makes my day simpler and happier.
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I totally need to schedule my day more. I have been thinking that a lot lately -- we'll see if I actually do something about it though.
ReplyDeleteI struggle with scheduling, too! I've had to cut my computer time dramatically. My house never really gets "clean" either. I was trying to homeschool 4-5 hours 6 days a week, cook our dinner meal from scratch, run teenager all over creation, and then tidy/sweep and mop daily. Let me just say, all that got accomplished was an irritable, grumpy mommy. Now, as long as we eat nutritionally sound meals, and there is a path, and my daughter is getting some reading, writing, and 'rithmatic, and we've shared some laughter and hugs I consider that to be a great day!
ReplyDeleteI'm terrible at this--both scheduling and prioritizing. If I don't make a general game plan at th beginning of the day, I end up only doing what I feel like doing--which inevitably leaves out some necessary tasks.
ReplyDeleteSorry I kinda disappeared for a bit. I think that's part of my whole prioritizing thing. I get distracted by this or that project and then none of my projects, even the important ones, end up getting done really well.
It sounds like I've got some good things to think about as far as New Years' resolutions. :)