(This post is part two of "BOOT CAMP: Pray & Make a Schedule - Part I".  If you haven't already, please take a moment to read that first.)

STEP 3:

Now, take your "NEED To" List and PRIORITIZE it.  (Don't forget to pray about what the LORD wants as a priority!)  You can print out the "NEED To" List - Prioritized if you'd like.  You can number this, but it's not necessary.  What you're trying to do is just keep the things that NEED to get done at the top of the list.  This isn't saying that the things at the bottom aren't important, but it will help you in the next step figuring out the schedule. 

This step might also help you realize what the most important thing in your life is.  This was a real eye-opener for me when I did this.  I wanted my children to have relationship with Christ and grow into mature Christians, but our devotion/Bible time was getting placed last (in the evenings) or worse yet, if the day got away from me, we weren't doing it at all.  I was unintentionally conveying a message to my children that was hypocritical.  I told my children how important God was, but I wasn’t showing it in my own actions.  Now, I realize some of you may really enjoy having some devotion/Bible time with your children before their bedtime.  I am NOT saying that is bad, but, I know how much better my day starts when I begin with the Lord.  If I’d like my children to do that as adults, then I should be helping that habit be built now.  (“Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.”  Proverbs 22:6 (NKJ)). I still am reading to them at night and ending on a note with the Lord, but it's made a big difference to put the Lord in the beginning of the day as well.

Another idea that you might like to add to your "NEED To" list is something I got from Terri Maxwell's book, "Managers of Their Homes" that I loved.  She spoke about having "together time" for her children, which was a time that two siblings got to spend together.  I loved the idea of my children getting one on one time with each other instead of having all of their play time together.  I know that it's been great for my two older boys, as well as my girls to spend time enjoying each other and building that bond.  It's also been great for me to schedule in together time for an older sibling to be with my one year old when I'm doing school work with a child that can't be interrupted.  It's really a great idea all the way around!  (Thanks Terri!!!)

STEP 4:

Start with a blank schedule divided into half hour increments (decide when your day will begin and go from there) as well as each day of the week.  Then pray for the Lord to "fill in the blanks" (If you'd like, take a look at my schedule.  I didn't write the names of my children, but used their birth orders instead). 

Look at your prioritized list and pencil in the things at the top of your list first.  Now, just because something is at the top of the list, does not neccessarily mean that you have to do it first thing in the morning.  The "NEED To" list is prioritized so you start placing those things into your schedule first.  That way they will not be forgotten.

Another thing I must add here is this… some women are early risers, and some are not.  (As some are night owls, and some are not.)  In having your schedule, you will be able to look and see what you can, or can’t, fit into your day.  Please don’t try and be something you’re not for the sake of trying to “fit it all in”.  What I mean by that is, I had a schedule once that would’ve been great if I just could’ve been consistent in waking up at 6am.  I am not a morning person, however, and my husband is also a night owl, so I was staying up with him at night, and then completely exhausted in the morning.  The days with the kids were suffering because I felt like such a failure when I couldn't get out of bed at the "scheduled" time I'd given myself.  Every day started out on a bad note.  When I made my recent schedule, I took that into account.  As much as I strive to be a Proverbs 31 woman (“She gets up while it is still dark…” Proverbs 31:15 (NIV)), I know that I am supposed to take care of myself as well, and being completely sleep deprived doesn’t do anything to help with the heartbeat of my home!  You need to do what will be best for the heartbeat of YOUR home.  Don’t do what someone else is doing, and don’t feel bad if you’re not a morning person, or vice-versa.  You are the manager of your home, and the Lord will help you to run it smoothly.  Asking those around you can be helpful, but remember, the Lord already knows the best way to run your home, so why not just ask Him?

STEP 5:

After praying each night about it (taking up to a week if you'd like), try a “trial run schedule” that includes school, chores, and most importantly... time with God.  When I did this with my schedule, I was amazed at how the Lord had completely revamped my "old ideas" about our homeschool schedule, and given me a fresh start with a heart excited to try and make it work.  ("He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire: he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand." Psalm 40:2 (NIV)).  Our trial week had some changes that needed to be made as well, but I kept seeking the Lord for the answers and for patience.  I kept the schedule on the fridge for everyone to see, and if something wasn’t working or we did something else, I penciled it in (if I knew what I needed to do) or just circled that time frame to pray about what the Lord wanted me to change. 

Another very important thing to remember is: this is new to your children as well.  You can’t expect everything to fall into place and be perfect right away.  It’s going to take some time.  Don’t get discouraged and remember your main focus (God) and why you began BOOT CAMP to begin with (to better tend the hearts of your children, as well as maintain the heartbeat of your home… and in that order!).  When the first week is done, you should have a much better idea as to what is or isn’t working.  Don't get stressed, frustrated, or disappointed if there were struggles.  Things worth having are worth fighting for, and I'm sure you would agree that your children are definitely worth it!

STEP 6:

After your trial week is over, sit back down with your schedule and figure out what changes need to be made.  Look over the problems you had (and the things circled on your list) and ask yourself if the problems were a result of a bad time frame in the schedule, or just the heart of the child? 

In my first week, I realized that I just didn’t have enough time spent with my two younger children in the morning.  They had all kinds of things to keep them busy (together time individually with each older sibling and some educational TV), but they weren’t getting any time with me until later in the morning and it was showing in their attitudes.  I changed a few things around in order to accommodate some “cuddle time” with them, and in the process they weren’t clingy and crabby in the late morning.

STEP 7:

After fixing any problems in the schedule, put it back up on the fridge (or where ever everyone can see it) and get ready for week two!  Continue penciling in any changes that need to be made during that week as well.  After the second week, you should be happy with the plan that is up, but if you’re not, then continue re-evaluating until you feel at peace.  Take as long as you need, but if things aren't going well, it's probably more about what you're trying to fit in the schedule than anything else.  Remember you're making something that will work for now, so if things are going well (even if it's the heart of the kids) then make THAT a priority and put it into the schedule.  As things get better, you can change the schedule.  Change with children is inevitable... accept it and embrace it!!!  You can do this!

 Don’t forget that “life” happens, and there will be days that things don’t go according to your “precise goal”.  During those days remember that the Lord is still ultimately in charge.  Find peace and comfort in knowing that He has it under control.  Let Him control your life… NOT your schedule!  If allowed, God will be the “heart” of your home, and a schedule planned by Him will keep the heart beat running smoothly.

In Him,
Amy

Read how our journey began, then follow along as we continue reviving the heartbeat in our home through BOOT CAMP!