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My life runs on routine. I don’t even have to think very hard to tell you what a typical day looks like for me because there is an order to it, and a lot of my day runs on autopilot because I’ve set it up that way – less for me to think about, more time for me to spend doing the things I love and being with the people I love!
I outline all of this in my book Home Management for the Homeschool Mom, but this post isn’t about that. It’s about what my typical day looks like, so you can see the natural flow of my day. You will see that I am not superwoman, I’ve simply put some things in place that make my day run as smoothly as possible – and even then, it’s never smooth. One thing we have to realize as moms is that a smooth day isn’t one without kinks or troubles – it is a day without a mommy meltdown from the stress that comes from living in frenzy and chaos.
My Morning
I wake up between 8-9 am. Yes, for some of you reading this, that is LATE, and I even find myself hesitant to divulge that information. But, keep in mind – I don’t have animals to care for and I do not get up before my children, and that is approximately when they get up.
I don’t get up before the children because no matter how early I get up, they always match my waking up, so rising earlier to find quiet time or get things done before they wake up doesn’t work for me. I am also a night owl (as are most of my children), so I’ve embraced it, and choose to sleep later so I can go to bed later.
For the past 12 years, I have had a baby waking up with me, so my first job is to get the baby changed and fed. I will then either grab some breakfast for myself or go get ready for the day, leaving the baby in the high chair with some toys and siblings to pick up every toy she drops (super fun game!), or put her on the floor to play with siblings crowded around her jabbering at her.
This is also where my Morning QuickList comes in. My QuickList is a short To-Do list for morning, afternoon, and evening that keeps me on track with simple tasks that I feel have to be done no matter what kind of day I’ve had. They are not difficult, but they are necessary. You can get your own QuickList by clicking HERE! (note: I’ve changed the name to the Daily Homemaking Checklist.)
I make my bed, gather the laundry from my room and the hallway, make sure the bathroom is ready for the day, and head back to the kitchen to take my vitamins, and get my day planned out, which involves looking at and adding to the to-do list I started the night before, plus checking my Google calendar. I also prod the children along in their morning chores. The older 2 girls take turns – one day on, one day off – being the toddler’s “buddy.” They help her brush teeth, get dressed, and make sure she gets whatever she needs throughout the day. This is a safeguard for me because I cannot be everywhere at once. If the toddler should need something, I want to know that someone can help her out, and it is easier for me to assign that “helping out” to a specific person for the day. Most everyone else can help themselves, except the baby, who is my responsibility. Sometimes I also assign someone to the 4 year old to help him out.
During this time frame, my oldest son (aged 19) heads to college or work. During the school year, he is in and out all day long.
Around 10 am, everything is in place for us to start school. It’s almost like I have an internal clock. I can start WAY early in the day and STILL it is 10 am before I’m ready to start school.
I call everyone to the living room and I read to them from whatever Story Bible we are currently using. Right now, that is The Child’s Story Bible by Catherine Vos:
We usually have 1-2 other read alouds during this time. Currently, they are –
From the Mixed up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
and Grandpa’s Box
After our Read Aloud time, my older kids (ages 11, 12, 16) head to do their work, and my little boys (ages 4, 6, 8) head to the dining room table with their workbooks. The stackers with their work are kept in a corner of the dining room.
The older kids take turns working on our two laptops at the bar and working from the other resources that make up their school day either at the table or in their rooms. (I will have a curriculum post very soon for you!) I check in with them periodically to make sure they are doing well and getting through all of their work.
The 4 year old isn’t capable of doing “real” school at this point, but I did buy him the Rod & Staff ABC Series to give him something “schoolish” to do because he was asking. He needs a lot to keep him busy, and I am revamping our Toddler Box concept and adding in some more age and developmentally appropriate activities for him to keep him busy. (I will be talking more about the NEW way I will be handling his schooling very soon!)
While the olders work, I go to the table to check on the youngers. The boys usually start their handwriting on their own while I work with the 4 year old. I can then focus on working with the boys on their Phonics and Math. I use my Traveler’s Journal to keep notes of what we do and things I need to keep in mind for the future.
As it gets closer to noon, Mercy usually needs a nap, so I take a look around to see which of the older kids is finished with their work or has a break, and I designate them the lunch helper while I put Mercy down. I don’t have a daily designated lunch helper, because I do not want to pull a child away from their work if they are in the middle of something simply because it is “their day.” I’d rather ask someone who is finished and has the time to help out.
Lunch is the maker’s choice of soup, salad, sandwiches, or leftovers. You can see my post on our easy lunch menu HERE. By lunch time, my younger school aged children are finished with their seatwork and tidy up the table so we can eat.
My Afternoon
After lunch, the kids do Table Chores. By this point, I often need a break to regroup and get ready for afternoon school time. I check on the laundry, and then I take 30-45 minutes, have a cup of coffee or an iced drink, and either head to my chair to sit with my Mom’s Notebook (you can read more about that in my Home Management book) and my laptop or phone to check on the blog, or use the time to prepare for Afternoon School in the dining room by looking over my notes and gathering supplies for Tapestry of Grace or whatever project we are doing that day.
Afternoon school time consists of Tapestry reading, discussion, videos, and projects or another project from the list found here. This is usually completed by 3pm. The 2 year old goes down for a nap in the middle of Afternoon School at around 2pm, and the baby is usually up by that time. If we are not finished with school time, one of us (me or my girls) will feed Mercy in her high chair, and I will follow up with a bottle when I take another break after school is over. While I give her her bottle, I usually watch something on Netflix or Amazon or I play the Design Home app (there you have it…my guilty pleasure.)
Movie Time is at 4 pm (the toddler is usually up by this time as well), but the house has to be clean before the kids can watch anything. We do a 15-20 minute tidy right around 4 o’clock to get the house put back together and the laundry put away. After that, the kids are allowed to watch something until we eat supper – between 5 and 6 pm. The older kids work with me on supper as needed.
By this point, my oldest son is home from college and work, and uses this time to work on projects I have for him to do.
Now, you might be wondering where my husband fits into my day. He works a job with no set schedule that has him in and out at varying times throughout the day. Our routine stays flexible to accommodate him, but sometimes we just run our day and he shows up when he is available. He and I will often find time to grab coffee or lunch or a driveway date, and his evenings are usually free.
My Evening
After supper, we do Table Chores again, and this is where our evening varies based on the day, season, and circumstances.
When I don’t have a baby who needs me in the evenings, we often spend that time singing, reading, and cuddling. When I do have a baby who needs me, the kids will hang out doing their own thing in the evening, and I will show up after I have baby down for the night. Fridays are movies nights for us, so on that night we watch something and stay up later. Some nights are haircutting nights or bath nights or family outing nights. It all just depends.
Our current toddler goes down for the night at 8 pm. She is a very easy keeper, so it allows me to focus my energy elsewhere…namely the boys and the baby. The baby usually goes down at 8 pm as well. Some nights she’s easy to get down, some nights not so much. If I’m having trouble getting her down, I will assign one of the older kids to make sure the boys (ages 4, 6, and 8) start getting ready for bed at 8:15 pm. They have a set of evening chores they work through and if someone doesn’t stay on them, they will lallygag through them all night long. My goal is to have them in bed by 8:30, saying prayers and giving loves. They are NOT easy to get to bed, particularly the 4 year old. He’s never been much for bedtime, so getting them all to calm down and actually sleep is a process that takes a lot of diligence and focus.
At this point, my older kids head to the parlor and shut the doors so their noisy chatter doesn’t bother the little boys too much. The toddler has a noise machine in her room (and I just bought the baby one as well).
In the summer, I have a fan on in each of the rooms that helps drown out any noise. I’m thinking a noise machine in the boys’ room might be a good idea!
Sometimes I will join the older kids in the parlor as soon as I have everyone down, and sometimes I will take that time to decompress alone and putter around the kitchen, write down my to-do list for the next day or go outside to drink a cup of tea. Sometimes one of my older kids will join me outside for a talk if they have something on their mind and need me all to themselves.
I will spend my evenings talking with the older kids and my husband, playing games, reading things the kids have written during their free time, working on the blog, and reading in my Bible and working on my Bible Study for the week. I usually take a bath to relax, and try to get myself to bed by midnight.
A couple of things to note:
- I have very few outside-the-house commitments. Bible Study on Wednesdays, the occasional outing or play date here and there, grocery shopping once a week are the typical things I have to do outside the home, but I really try to do very little else. I can always tell when I’ve spent too much time doing other things because I begin to get edgy and grumpy and stressed. I have a full workload at home, and this is my season of being home. I do not feel guilty and I am good at saying no.
- Exercise is still difficult for me to fit into my day. I am brainstorming a bit to figure that out. Our house is small, and any time frame I feel I can fit it into has babies sleeping in the rooms I could use. So, I’m still thinking on this one! When I can, I do Fit2B and some rebounding.
I hope that helps you see what a typical day is like in our household. I’m sure there are more things you want to know that I didn’t address, so feel free to ask any questions you might have!
And don’t forget to download your Daily Homemaking Checklist to help you get back on track!
Karrie says
You might diffuse lavender in the boy’s room or put some on their feet. It seems to calm mine down!
Amy says
Good idea!
Nicole says
I have a few questions. I have always rocked my babies. Now that my “baby” is 2 and I am having another baby we are trying to teach her how to sleep by herself. (I also broke the rocking chair. whoops. Anyway, sometimes it is easy sometimes its really hard. Heres the problem, well there are a few problems. During the week on days my husband works we have school. We dont school year round but we are running behind. I liike to have my 2 year old take a nap. NOw that I am not rocking her it is not really happening. I also really dont want the kids watching a cartoon all day. My husband gets home at 330 and lately we have been really busy so I like to have housework and school work done before he gets home. I actually like the idea of having movie time later on, and having a different rest time after lunch, the kids like adventures in oddyssey. The problem is I cant get anything done if the toddler does not get a nap, and I often have to supervise the kiddos while they are listening because they will sometimes fight over whatever quiet activity they are doing. If the 2 year old does take a nap however it is super hard to get her to fall asleep and I have to thsit on e couch with her the whole time untill she goes to sleep because she has to touch my arm. And my husband goes to bed earlyish like..930 10 because he gets up at 615 and I do too, with him. And also another problem is right now all we have is one big bedroom upstairs for everybody, the kids (4) and us. We are considering moving or a addition but we dont want to act in haste and waste the resources God has given us so for now thats how it is. So we do bible time the 5 year old goes up first, the 3 year old lays on the floor and the 7 year old goes in the other room with the book and they alll go up one at a time. Sometimes its really stressfull because if the kids dont all go to sleep at a decent time my husband and I cant see each other at all, which is hard. This is a weird situation but I would love any advice. Thank you!!
Amy says
It sounds like your 2 year old needs a “replacement” for you. I would get her a “nap bear” or lovie of some sort or I would consider letting her listen to an audio and see if she can fall asleep to that. As for night time – is there a reason they are all going up at different times? I tried this and what I found is that the ones going to bed early never fell asleep until the next child was in the room. It might be faster if they all went at the same time and you sat with them to keep things quiet – we have done this until recently and it worked well.
Nicole says
How does the lovie thing work? This is really silly, and I should know since my oldest is 7 but I can safely say that the only lovie my kiddos have ever had is their pacifier, and me 🙂
The reason they go up all at different times is if the boys both go up together they will be up: forever!! It takes my five year old a very short time to fall asleep but it naturally takes my 7 year old much longer, which is fine because he is quiet but if they go up together they will get chatty. My 3 year old (girl) she tends to wander around upstairs which is why we keep her down with us.
Also if I go upstairs with them, they will also start to get chatty because my 7 year old in particular likes to unload his store of random questions for nighttime 🙂
Do you have any posts on good chapter books for 5 and 7 year olds?
Also yesterday after reading your post I decided to have one rest time with audio, then some reading and then pickup and then the cartoon time. I used to have “rest time” with either cartoons or audio, but having their movie time right before my husband gets home from work gives me time to get the house ready and it also seems to kind of eliminate the “we just finished rest time craziness” right when he gets home. Thank you!!
Amy says
The “lovie” that has been most used in our house is a lightweight blanket. My little Mercy girl has one and I rotate so she never has to have a certain one (I learned that the hard way when my first child lost his!) While you nurse, you can keep it tucked beside them and it becomes a part of your routine and something they take with them from feeding to bed that makes that transition easier. I hope that makes sense! Elizabeth Pantley in her book The No Cry Sleep Solution talks more about this concept.
I don’t have a post on chapter books because we don’t read a lot of them. We like Hank the Cow Dog, and we have a few of the All About Reading books that my kids have liked (even though we don’t use that curriculum). My kids have liked the Boxcar Children and Adventures in Odyssey books as well. I’m not sure if those are true chapter books, but we don’t do a lot of books like that as we tend to just jump into regular living books as soon as we can.
Vanessa says
My boys also share a room and like to talk before settling down and going to sleep. We put a digital clock in their room and told them they could talk until the clock says ____ (usually 10 or 15 minutes).
Mrs L says
Hello! My most recent toddlers (the last two of them) would go to sleep during family imposed ‘library time’. We would have the whole lot of us on couches- the elder ones reading to themselves- and my four year old and two year old on the couch with me and baby as I read some picture books to them, then a chapter of something for the four year old (like the little house books). The two year old is almost always asleep before the picture books end, but if not, they drift off in the chapter book and then are either moved to the bedroom or left on the couch (depending on what works.) This is a nice time for all of us and a good way of keeping the place quiet while naps begin.
Reggie says
Oh, I had an arm toucher too! I can still remember lying by her toddler bed waiting for her to drift off to sleep as she stroked my arm. I would give Amy’s suggestion a try. My little one was (and still is at 9) quite attached to a small fluffy bear as a toddler. This can create other challenges though, such as bear getting lost or becoming the perfect object to throw during a tantrum. My final bit of advice (and what makes me a mean mommy, I’m sure) is to lie her in her crib/playpen, turn off the light, close the door and walk away. I have had 1 or 2 children that this DID NOT work with (they screamed indefinitely) but surprisingly, it was not the arm toucher but her more strong-willed siblings. It will obviously take a little while for her to understand/accept the change in routine, but it’s worth a try. You can always prelude nap time with ten minutes or so of cuddling too so she doesn’t feel as though her entire world has been turned upside down.
Karyn says
I love “a day in the life” posts! I HAVE to exercise now because I’m dealing with gestational diabetes (again, boohoo) and have found that a walk right after lunch or a T-Tapp workout have been doable (both being 20 – 25 minutes, so fairly doable). I’m curious….you said you are home most of the time…..does this mean the kids aren’t involved in a lot of activities or are your older kids able to drive them? I do remember your post about handling outside activities but I was wondering if yours are involved in anything outside of the home right now. I’m finding that even if I keep each child to only one or two activities (and I try to combine activities when possible) it’s still more time out of the home than I like, especially since we live 30 minutes from town. That photo of you and Mercy is beautiful – she is a particularly pretty child, I think partly because her eyes are so very blue.
Amy says
Karyn, thank you for your sweet words about Mercy! She is a very beautiful little girl and so very special. 🙂
Even with older kids, we are still not involved in much. My oldest son can drive himself to whatever he needs to go to, but college is literally in our backyard. He walks out the back gate onto campus. My 16 year old is not driving, and the things she is involved in someone can either drive her or pick her up and they usually only last a week here or a day there – very few of them are consistent activities. My other children are 12 and under and are not involved in any major outside activities. My 16 year old teaches them piano lessons, the kids don’t play sports, and the things we do outside of the house typically involve all of us and I take breaks whenever I need them.
Rébecca says
Hi,
I have a few questions too. I’m curious about your read-aloud time. Do all the kids (all ages) participate ? I’m having trouble reading books that interest everyone, either the older ones find the picture books that the 4 yo loves babyish, or the books I read are above the younger ones head…
My other question is about outside commitments. We feel like it is important the kids learn music and play sports (so they get exercise and actually know how to play team sports). One of my kids also has tutoring for dyslexia. And there is always someone who has a medical appointment… With all that, there is at least one outing a day and I feel like we are constantly rushed… I don’t like it ! Do your kids have outside activites/commitments ?
Thanks !
Amy says
Here is my post about our Read Aloud Time – https://raisingarrows.net/2017/01/make-read-aloud-time-peaceful/ I choose a middle of the road book. So, our last read aloud was Pollyanna, and this one is The Mixed Up Files. The only ones not particularly interested are the 2 and 4 year olds. I let them play nearby. I usually read something to them throughout the day or one of my older kids will read to them something of their choosing.
For outside commitments, I like to choose 1-2 days that I schedule everything on. For instance, we used to do piano lessons on Wednesdays. That was also my day to shop. As for music – I only require a year of lessons, and if they have an aptitude and would like to continue, we do so. My 16 year old is teaching the younger kids piano, and when any of them need to progress past what she feels comfortable with, I will look into adding lessons to our week. We have not chosen to do sports because they are so time consuming and we travel a lot as a family and don’t want to be tied down to a sport. Most of our medical appointments are 4 hours away, so I put them all together and we go for a couple of days. When we have dentist appointments, we block out the entire morning and run everyone through. I’m forever looking for ways to condense and economize my time outside the house.
Betsy says
I know I’m not the intended reply-er, but I also had trouble finding read alouds that suited everyone. Then I pulled out an old copy of Uncle Arthur’s Bedtime Stories and it was an instant hit with everyone!!! From 4-10! They have captured everyone’s ear and they beg me to read more! Every short story has a moral, a great discussion topic, and most have 1 picture with it. My Dad used to read them to us and we loved them. I ordered the whole set recently and we are on book 2. 🙂
Amanda says
It is always nice to see another large homeschooling family’s routine, but I am always a little jealous when I read that the kids seem self-motivated. You mentioned that your younger kids will sit and do their seat work. I have to constantly stay on my kids (ages 5-boy, 7-girl, and 9-boy) to finish their work. Any tips for not having to constantly be right beside them? I also have a 4 year old boy, 2 year old boy and a 6 week old that constantly need me, so I feel I have no time for anyone. Any tips from an experienced mom are appreciated.
Amy says
Oh, I have to stay on them! They are the doodling kids and they talk a lot to each other, but they stay at the table. They also know if mom can’t help them right now, I will get back to them. So, it’s not that they are sitting there doing all of their work quietly. I’m nearby and can keep checking on them. They draw or play with blocks or floam at the table while I’m busy with other things. It’s become a habit for them, and their school really only takes about 30-45 minutes total.
Vickie says
Thank you for this post! My two children that are still at home are not early risers. It is always between 9 and 10 before school gets started. I feel less guilt now.
Amy says
I hate saying when we get up, but I did it for moms like you! 🙂
Mrs.Momof8 says
Sounds wonderful! We are in such a period of transition and chaos, I just LONG for my routine. Once our routine starts up again in the fall, I will have to be out of the house at least two days a week, which I am dreading!
Here is an idea about how I have managed to fit in exercising, maybe it will help you. Instead of trying to fit it all in in a 30 minute “session”, I just do it as I go! For instance, when I brush my teeth or have fixed up my hair in the bathroom, I use a couple minutes to do “counter push ups” or “counter dips”. Sometime during the day I throw in squats, leg lifts, “barre” style or pilates style exercises. I was getting a mile long run in in the fall when I took a kid to soccer practice. Sometimes I work a power walk into my evening “personal time”. I have found my strength improving even from this measly spattering of exercise. Maybe it will help you!
Amy says
Yes! Great idea! My goal is to simply “do more” than what my regular day involves, so doing some exercise that way sounds perfect! Now to remember to seize those moments!
Reggie says
Loved your comment, “I do not feel guilty and I am good at saying no.” Amen and amen, Sister! Same here!
Diana says
I loved this post! Thank you so much for sharing!! It was so interesting to read about your day.
Have you read “A Mom Just Like You” by Vicky Farris? (One of my favorites!!) She too is a late riser, if I’m remembering correctly. It really does vary by individual. I’m an early riser, but you are SO right – no matter how early I get up, I have a little one at my heels within 30 seconds of coming out of my bedroom. Considering that I get up early on PURPOSE to try to get things done BEFORE the littles get up, it’s a big frustrating! 🙂
I also really loved what you had to say about staying home. One of my huge issues is the enormous load of guilt that I carry, despite my best intentions, for not being involved in lots of extracurriculars. I find myself surrounded by tons of small-family homeschoolers who seem to give their children about twenty extracurriculars each. As an only child myself, that was the life I came from too. But with a large-ish family and an introverted personality, I just can’t handle it. Whenever I try to shoulder the on-the-go schedule, I break down very quickly. Thanks for giving us the support to embrace a closer-to-home lifestyle!
Loved this post!!
P.S. You and Mercy look great!!
Amy says
I have not read that book, but have heard of it. I always feel better when I find out another homeschool mom is ok with getting up later! And as an introvert myself, there is a lot of self-preservation in staying at home. I’m not a recluse, but I feel my best when I’m not filling my life with outside activities.
S.T. says
I loved this post and found it so very helpful! Thank you! I have your Home Management for the Homeschool Mom and have read so very much on your blog, but this post really helped me understand how a routine mama functions.
Questions:
Somewhere you mentioned that you try to get a protein breakfast. Can you share some ideas? My older two help the younger ones with breakfast, and I take care of the youngest and me. I try to do Trim Healthy Mama smoothies but find even them to be a little bit time intensive. I feel like everyone is waiting on me (to start combined, morning school).
How are you able to start school so quickly, if it’s one of those morning you get up at 9am? (Thank you for sharing that, by the way! I feel guilty that I don’t get up earlier, but I, too, am a night owl and really feel I need sleep that I don’t get if I get up early.) But, it seems to take me awhile to get the smoothie, handle squabbles, and gather the children for the combined start of our day. How do you accomplish all of the things you mentioned in just a hour some days?
About how long do you spend in Bible reading and read alouds? We tend to go an hour here and could go much longer, but then it seems the kids are more interested in thinking about lunch instead of starting on school!
Do you keep just school related info in the Traveler’s Journal? Or have a certain section for school info?
What does the two year old do during morning school while some are on the laptops and the younger ones at the table? My two year old is a handful, and I would love some tips.
Do you have set meal times? If so, would you share them?
How do you gather all of your children without set times? I think I am more of a routine mama, but I find it so hard to get all the kids gathered w/o a set time. The older (one who gets up earlier than most others) are trying to do independant school, and I hate interrupting their work. But if I wait for one, another is busy or a little has wandered, etc…, and I find it hard to get them all together to start.
Also, and I hope this isn’t too much to ask… (sheepishly) I was wondering how do you handle the bathroom? I have some that while I’m trying to start school insist them must use the restroom, and them will be gone forever or feels like it as the rest of us wait and wait. I’ve told them to use a timer, but there often seems to be excuses or valid reasons (I don’t know which) or stomachs cramping, etc… Then we start school and a little one or two will need to “go” in the middle or end, and I it just seems to be an inconvenience. Am I wrong to want them all assembled at all times during our combined, morning school? Should I just go on with or without the bathroom dwellers? What about the excuses/reasons of cramping, upset, etc…? Is this just big family life?
How do you handle haircuts?
I absolutely loved #1 of things to note. How do you handle others who are genuine in seeking your friendship or your children’s friendships for their children but have no idea how a simple playdate is not simple for you (or in this case me) with my larger brood and mixed age ranges. My older ones need to be at home more often to do school yet are not old enough nor do I wish to leave them alone much or for long?
How do handle your personal friendships? I asks this sincerely. I find my life seems to go better when the children and I are largely home, yet I do get lonely sometimes. Yet, if I do, do a rare playdate I find very little time to talk with the other mom(s), as I am helping and overseeing my children.
Is there a nursery; do you use it for the Bible study you mentioned? Do any of your older ones stay home to work on school during your Bible study or grocery trips? I leave my oldest sometimes while I grocery shop, so he can work on his schooling, but the outing is so much harder and tiring and longer for me without his help.
When and how do you handle grocery shopping? The children and I usually all go, but it is a long affair. Four hours is not unheard of.
Thank you for being so real and honest and for sharing your life. You have been an incredible help and encouragement to me! I appreciate you mentioning exercise too. I find it hard to fit in, as well. I’m sorry this is so long, and I’ve asked you so many things. I’ve been pondering questions since I read this post the first time. Thank you for the amazing giveaways!
Amy says
So, I’m making notes to turn these into posts 😉 I’ll try to answer succinctly for you.
*Protein breakfast ideas – egg substitute omelet, cottage cheese with chocolate pb2 and monk fruit mixed in, protein shake – these are my current go-to’s.
*On my 9am days, it’s often 10:30 before we get school in full-swing, but if I get everyone moving, it isn’t hard to be ready by 10 – I’m not sure why – just the way it seems to naturally go.
*Read aloud time lasts around 30-45 minutes.
*Traveler’s Journal – there is a linked post, but I do have sections. However, it is mostly for school I need big ole notebooks for blogging and life.
*Toddler boxes and busy bags! I’ll have a post soon about these, but there is an older post on here about our old Toddler box.
*Breakfast is on your own, Lunch is between 12-1, Dinner is between 6-7. Not super set in stone – just a round-about.
*There have been seasons when I could not do the read-aloud time first thing, and I let them start on their own. Now that we are consistently back to read alouds, they don’t start school until we’ve done that. I am catching the older ones right after breakfast because they are my late risers. I would either have them wait to start, or not include them. Ask them to do their Bible study on their own.
*Bathroom people – ugh. Mine do this when it is time to clean up! My kids like read alouds too much to miss out, so they don’t usually claim bathroom breaks until afterward. I probably would just go on without them except for Bible. If it is happening consistently – I’d find another time to do it and move on with your school day, picking up the read alouds later.
*Haircuts – I cut the boys’ hair and trim the girls’. Here is a really old post about it – https://raisingarrows.net/2009/05/a-shave-and-a-haircut/
*We do playdates here and there and usually with other large families who understand. Some people understand. Others do not. I do my best to explain, but then I just have to stick to my guns.
*I go to Bible study. That’s where I meet people. Occasionally, I go to lunch with a friend. I’m not a recluse, but like you, my life runs smoother when I’m home. Real friends are the ones who can be friends via text and an occasional cup of coffee and never make you feel guilty for not doing more.
*I only take my oldest daughter grocery shopping with the occasional younger child tagging along. My daughters are the babysitters for Bible Study, so yes, my kids go with them. I’m only gone an hour for the morning study, so that’s not much out of my day.
*Grocery shopping trips run about 2-3 hours, and like I said above, I only take my 16 year old with me. I wait until our school day is over and shop Aldi first, come home and drop off (about 3-4 kids help unload and put away), then we head back out to finish up at WalMart. I’m in the process of finding an online alternative to WM – probably Amazon Prime. Many cities even have same day delivery with Amazon now (I’m not in a big enough city for that).
Hope that all helps! (and I didn’t go back and proof, so excuse any typos!)
S.T. says
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply! I’m wanting to print out this post and your additional comments, so I can refer back to them. I’ve been struggling lately, and I appreciate so much you sharing your life and wisdom with all of us!
Renee says
S.T. I so relate to you!
Grocery shopping takes us 4 hours. I am glad I know I am not the only one! My husband joins us. I do a biweekly meal plan and shopping so we regained 4 hours every other week.
Bathroom….oh the bathroom….. we have 6 people ( 1 is in diapers) and one bathroom!! Leaving the house takes us 15 minutes to get everyone through there. And why oh why does no one have to use it until you ask them to do a chore or school? I try and remember to announce we are going to do read a loud or school 10 minutes before I want to start so the bathroom rounds can begin.
I am an extrovert and love getting together with others. Currently I have no regular outside social commitments. I have been intentional about finding friends who understand my visits will not be regular. It is in person so the kids can play and we can talk. Talking on the phone does not happen. I do text my friends to keep communication open between our visits which can span 4-5 months apart. I have become intentional about playing games and doing other activities with my kids. This fills my daily need of wanting to be around other people.
S.T. says
Renee, Yes! It IS so nice to know I’m not the only one! Thanks for chiming in. If I can remember to announce a bathroom time prior to Bible time/read alouds, I do think that helps. My sister was a private school teacher, and I realized that I needed to implement some of her school strategies (ie: bathroom time/break) for managing my larger homeschool. Have a great day!
Sarah Luk says
Thank you for sharing. I have 3 children (eldest only ‘first’ next year’) and am trying to figure out the right balance of activity and home that will work for us all. I also know mostly 1-2 kid families closer in age than mine, so their structure is much different. (3 years separate each of mine)
Regarding exercise. For the most part I just try to eat well and stay active with the kids. However I received a set of Mama Moves cards and love them. They have stretches and light toning exercises specifically designed for mom. I put a few up around the house as a reminder to take a few moments here or there to take care of me. Check out their website or facebook page (no affiliation just love them ) https://www.mamamovescards.com/
Amy says
Definitely checking it out! Thank you!
Sarah H says
Thank you for giving us a peek into your everyday! I so appreciate your encouragement in the reality of keeping things simple….especially your schedule! God has been teaching me great lessons in quietness in our home and schedule over the past several years, and I’m a slow learner in this are…but so thankful for your encouragement that this is your season for less commitments outside your home, because the workload is full inside the home! I appreciate that!!!
Colleen says
Thank you for sharing! This has given me ideas to help me get our routine in place!
Diana says
Sorry if there is a past blog post on this, I didn’t find it when I searched.
Do you have any advice for moms with lots of littles who all need help and no older children to help her?
Amy says
Does this help? https://raisingarrows.net/2016/03/homeschooling-when-everyone-needs-you/
If not (or if you have more questions), let me know and I can write a post about what I did when everyone was little that isn’t homeschool specific. Might need to do that anyway. 😉
DIana says
Thank you so much for your reply! This is incredible help. I’m so nervous about starting school because of the routing and adding a newborn. These ideas make it better.
Renee says
Diana: with my kids all little and no helpers I learned to keep things at a level I can handle. IE stay home- cook simple meals, have laundry washed and dishes sort of washed, nap time (I slept too!), play time and the day is done. All those fun preschool craft activities. My two oldest are now doing them at 7 and 8 years old. They love them and it does not stress me out. Play-doh is just not coming out at my house since they can now clean it off the table and floor. Take care of your current needs and the fun stuff that you wish you can do will be added in as they get older. The younger years I focus on Math and teach them to read and the rest happens in real life learning.
Emily says
Saying no and outside commitments are so hard for me! I am an introvert and really getting drained if I leave the house too long or too much. So then I am exhausted and don’t accomplish stuff around the house and it ends up being a disaster. We are expecting our 7th and that adds to my exhaustion. I try to make it to church at least 2 out of the three services, and I feel bad if I don’t do a play date once a week or a outing of some kind( I don’t know why!) I used to be good at staying and focusing at home and I need to find that routine again. Thanks for the post.
Naomi says
My days used to look very similar to yours years ago when my oldest children were small, but things have changed so much now, I barely remember what it was like!
Two of my children need a lot of therapies, so many chunks of our days are used up with that. Due to this, I am not able to keep up with my highschoolers work load, so they now attend a local private school.
I also found myself way too isolated, so I now make a point of going out with a friend on a regular basis.
We keep plugging along and while things are different than they were, we’ve adapted and everyone seems pretty happy with our routine.
Amy says
Your family routine sounds nearly identical to mine! right down to kids being up late, and haircut night? I always get something out of your tips that I am able to use, love reading your posts!
Esther Shingler says
Thanks for sharing and being vulnerable about your time! I am expecting #9 in October. I am feeling a little scared about adding to our family so early in the school year. I was so encouraged to read what you said about commitments outside of the home. I often feel guilty for not doing more- thank you for reminding me that this is my season to be home! Also, I find that I need to decompress after dinner or I blow up in someone. I appreciate knowing that I am not alone in this. Just a few minutes to unwind and I can fuel back up for bedtime! Thank you 🙂
Jessica says
I love having a peek in other people’s day. I feel like I’m always trying to tweak my day and routine to make it better. Thank you for sharing. You are inspiring
Sarah says
Love this! I have a new baby, a toddler, and two school-aged kids. We really need a routine like yours to keep us on track in this new season. I appreciated this post so much!
Aimee says
I love that you aren’t busy with things outside the home. I’m like you in that I just can’t be too busy, or I’m not “present” when we are home, and I’m much more angry and irritable. I’m curious about how you handle kids wanting to do lessons or sports. My daughter wants to learn to ride, and my son karate. Not even talking about the money involved, I know it would be 2-3 days per week with that. I have my kids in Awana, so that’s already one day per week. My 6 kids are between 6 months and 11 years.
Angela says
I just wanted to say that I love how you put the definition of a smooth day being one without a mommy meltdown. Also that you schedule as a nonnegotiable a mommy rest time! I have been fighting the quiet time war for a while now (oldest of 5 is 7yrs) and am usually exhausted and grumpy by dinner. Today I managed a 30 minute rest and I was a whole new woman come evening! I will have to try to add it to my daily to-do.
Peta says
I LOVED this post Amy! You always inspire me! I love it that you sleep in a bit and stay up later. God bless, Peta
Renee says
Thank you for sharing you stay home! I have accepted that works best for me also. And exercising….. I also struggle to fit it in. I love Fit2B and listen to the routines while I do kitchen work and try to incorporate the moves in my every day life.
Susan says
This was a wonderful read for This mom of 7. You had me hooked at “I don’t get up before my children because they always match my waking up”. That describes my thinking and morning start exactly.
Thankyou for this post Amy. It may seem like a nuts and bolts one but it truly encouraged me. The past two years have been challenging and just about knocked me off the wagon completely. A move from CA to TX, difficult pregnancy, recovery, first year etc. it’s easy to feel like I’ve sunk and left my Childrens mother behind somewhere these last. 24 months. The Lord is so sweet and has blessed us continuously in countless ways big and small in this last season. From finances to vans, a new home and hope. Hope is my anchor and joy.
Amy says
I can relate to what you just said in so many ways, Susan. These past 2 years have been hard for me for many of the same reasons, but I am finally seeing progress.
brandy says
Always enjoy hearing from normal people that don’t get up before dawn. My kids always match my wake time, too. I don’t know how they do it! Exercise idea: a walk around the neighborhood at night after the littles are down as long as someone old enough stays behind. Maybe a good way to chat with older ones that have something on their mind. If I hadn’t exercised already that is usu. what happens around here.