I have made a commitment to not hang around my favorite forums once school started. I can't believe how much time I wasted. I say forums because it wasn't blogs. With 6 children and watching a little guy (total of 7 kids at the time) blogging was too hard. I didn't have time to read a blog or take the time to sit and write, so I switched to forums. It was crazy how much time I could spend on the forums. Sometimes I was asking question pertaining to my new school year but a lot of it was answering other's and just reading. I would go to a forum with no purpose at all. I am happy to report that even though I wanted to go to a forum that I have resisted.

Mainly because I didn't want my kids seeing me in front of the computer all day. Every spare moment. How sad! I think there is a time for forums and they have a wealth of information and encouragement but with 'me' I really needed to cut back. I did go to WTM forum yesterday to  ask a question but that's all I did. It was hard not to start reading other threads/post but I did it. "I'm Linda and a recovering forum addict" .

Another big accomplishment that has been the hardest thing for me is scheduling. I can make the schedule but am scared to death about following it. I had purchased Managers of Their Homes about 5 yrs ago, made a schedule, posted it in the kitchen and that was it. It stayed up for a whole year looking pretty with all it's nice colors .

I attempted to make another one last night. I have been wanting to make one sooner but trying to figure out when to fit in all the school subjects was HARD!!! After reading Managers of Their School and got a few ideas, I got a schedule down. It's not perfect yet. I'm sure it will need to be tweaked later. BUT, I made it and WE followed it TODAY!!! I'm so excited.

The one thing that really helped was Terri Maxwell has one-on-one tutoring with each child everyday. At first I was like "how am I going to fit having a tutoring session with 5 kids and keep the rest busy???" After looking at a few samples from the book and looking at what subjects are not teacher dependent I figured it out.

Here is what our schedule looks like. I still have gaps as what to do with Ethan & Lance and sometimes Caleb & Brent, but like I said, "I'm working on it."

7:30a.m. Everyone wakes up. This means they have to get out of bed, brush teeth, make bed, pick up room and get dressed.

8:00 a.m. Everyone needs to be seated and having breakfast.

8:30 a.m. Joshua sweeps, Annette clears the table, Caleb empties the trash, Brent empties the dishwasher, Ethan helps with the table & Island counter and Lance picks up toys.

9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. I school with Annette. This means I go over math and she does it later. We do her Writing With Ease, we go over all of her assignments so she knows what to do and can do it on her own. If she is having trouble with a subject this is the time we look at it and figure it out.

While I'm with Annette, Josh is on the computer doing Timez Attack or Typing for half an hour. The other half hour he can do Bible. Caleb is doing Climbing to Good English, Brent is busy with Explode the Code and the two little ones are playing. If Caleb & Brent finish early they can play with the little ones.

10:00 a.m. I school with Josh. Like Annette we do any subject that requires the teacher and we go over all the other subjects so he knows what to do and can finish it on his own. Annette, does Timez Attack on the computer, Caleb, Brent, Ethan & Lance all have free time .

11:00 a.m. I school with Caleb. We do his reading & writing at this time and I go over math, phonics and anything else we need to talk about. Josh & Annette do Math. Brent, Ethan & Lance have quiet play time.

12:00 am Lunch break. Annette loads the dishwasher if needed. If I need a kitchen helper I'll have one of the kids stay with me and help get lunch on the table, otherwise they can play until I ring the bell for lunch. I eat while making lunch so I can read a book to the kiddos.

12:30 p.m. Clean up the kitchen.

1:00 p.m. I school with Brent. We do all of his My Father's World, which is Bible, Reading, Phonics & Writing. I also go over his math so he can finish that on his own. Annette & Josh do English or Reading. Caleb does phonics. Ethan & Lance has more play time.

2:00 p.m. I do Science/Social Studies with Caleb. Today we did science so tomorrow we will do social studies. Annette & Josh are doing the same thing. Either Science, Social Studies or Bible. Ethan & Lance go down for nap. Brent can have some quiet play.

2:30 p.m. Caleb colors in his Science or Social Studies book. I do All About Spelling with Josh & Annette.

3:00 p.m. Caleb, Annette & Josh have quiet time in their rooms and mom gets a chance to blog.

4:00 p.m. I start dinner prep. All the kids have free time. If I need help I'll select a helper.

5:00 p.m. Dinner and if I have time I'll read a book to the kiddos.

5:30 p.m. Clean up kitchen

6:00 p.m. I'll school with Ethan. Phonics and Numbers. The other kids can practice their AWANA verses

6:30 p.m. Free time

8:00 p.m. get ready for bed. This consist of brushing teeth, changing into Pj's, pick-up their rooms

8:45 p.m. I'll read a book to Ethan & Lance for fifteen minutes.

9:00 p.m. I'll read a book geared to the older kids for fifteen minutes, pray and tuck kids into bed.

Hopefully my Sweets and I will go to bed at 11:00 p.m.

 I do plan to schedule in Ethan & Lance with some productive, educational time to. Just have to get the bins ready for 'school' time only.

For those of you who have tried schedules, made them but didn't follow them, I just want to encourage you. There is hope. You can do it. We'll see how tomorrow goes  and if I'm still able to give hope to those who need a schedule.

In Him,

Linda<><

 Email me at Homeschooling6[At]hotmail[Dot]com.