This is a phrase I strongly dislike! My kids have learned this the hard way. I haven't been bored in years and years, and I don't think my kids have a reason to be, either. There's always something to do, whether work or play.

However, I've heard it more lately, so I came up with a short list of ideas to point to next time it happens. You can make one, too! Just think of all the possibilities there are for your kids, and list them. Hang it up in a central location, and next time they even THINK they're bored, maybe these ideas will help. If they still aren't satisfied, give them a chore to do. That should solve the problem in the future! Here are a few of our ideas: 

What to do when you’re bored

Do a puzzle

Ride your bike

practice drawing with Usborne drawing books

work on crochet or knitting

catch up on your sewing project

call a friend on the phone

write a letter to a friend or relative

play with Nathan

update your cookbook

look at Family Fun Boredom Busters book

read a book you haven’t read before

play a game with Nicholas

rollerblade

get out one of your craft projects

paint your nails

try a new hairstyle (try it out on your American Girl first!)

pick out clothes for church this Sunday

play in the backyard

As I mentioned earlier, we needed a new system for school days since Nicholas is a busy toddler. It was getting harder for the girls to concentrate. They were getting some things "done" but I was afraid they weren't really learning. That's what's important, right? So here is the new, improved schedule:

		Mom	Claudia	Chloe	Nicholas
	7:00	Wake kids, dress,	Wake, dress	Wake, dress	Wake, dress
	7:30	Chores*, start breakfast	Chores*, sweep floor, make Nic bed	Chores*, clean bathroom, feed cats	TV time
	8:00	Breakfast, Bible time	Breakfast, Bible time	Breakfast, Bible time	Breakfast, Bible time
	8:30	Kids outside	Typing  MTW  outside ThF	outside play	outside play
	9:00	Storytime	Reading in room	Storytime	Storytime
	9:30	school w/Nicholas	Latin/Vocab MTW  Reading ThF	Computer Game (CD)	School
	10:00	Reading w/Chloe	Preschool w/Nicholas	Reading w/Mom	Preschool w/Claudia
	10:30	Exercise w/Claudia	Exercise w/ Mom	TV time with Nicholas	TV time with Chloe
	11:00	Free time/Shower	Free Time	Free Time/ Shower	Free Time
	11:30	Free time	Free Time/Shower	Free Time	Free Time
	12:00	Fix Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch
	12:30	Read to Nicholas/put down	Clean up/free time	Clean up/free time	Lay down for Nap
	1:00	Science/History	Science/History Reading	Science/History Reading	Nap
	1:15	Science/History	Science/History Reading	Science/History Reading	Nap
S	1:30	Science/History	Science/History activity MTW	Science/History activity MTW	Nap
C	1:45	Laundry/Misc.	Break	Break	Nap
H	2:00	Bible with Claudia	Bible MTW  Computer ThF	Copywork	Nap
O	2:15	Spelling w/Chloe	Bible/Copywork  MTW Computer ThF	Spelling	Nap
O	2:30	Math with both girls	Math  MTW	Math    Computer ThF	Nap
L	2:45	Math with both girls	Math  MTW	Math    Computer ThF	Nap
	3:00	Bible w/Chloe	Spelling/Grammar MTW	Bible	TV time
	3:15	Grammar w/Chloe	Geography	Grammar	TV time
	3:30	Fix snack/check schoolwork	Check work w/Mom/Snack	Finish School/Snack	Snack
	3:45	Free time/Errands/Study	Projects/Gym-Th	Check scoolwork w/Mom	Designated Toy Playtime
	4:00	Free time/Errands/Study	Projects/Free time	Projects/Free time	Designated Toy Playtime
	4:15	Free time/Errands/Study	Projects/Free time	Projects/Free time
	4:30	Free time/Errands/Study	Projects/Free time	Projects/Free time
	4:45	Afternoon pick-up	Afternoon pick-up	Afternoon pick-up
	5:00	Dinner Prepare	Dinner prepare/free time	Dinner prepare/free time
	5:30	Dinner	Dinner	Dinner	Dinner
	6:00	Clean up/time with boys	Clean up/free time	Clean up/free time	Time with Mom or Dad
	6:30	Family Time	Family Time	Family Time	Family Time
	7:00	Family Time	Family Time	Family Time	Family Time
	8:00	Family Time	Family Time	Family Time	Family Time
	8:30	Reading with Girls	Reading with parents	Reading with parents	Bath/Bedtime
	9:00	Put kids to bed	Bedtime	Bedtime
		*M - Clean computer desk	*M Dust Furniture	*M - Clean Glass
		*T - Clean out refrigerator	*T - Clean Bathtub	*T - Clean front porch
		*W - Straighten Boys' room	*W - Straighten Bookshelves	*W - Empty trash cans
		*Th - Mop floors	*Th - Clean van	*Th - Empty trash and stuff from van

We've been using this schedule for 2-3  weeks now. It works much better for school, and Nicholas is kept busier. Mornings are more devoted to preschool time and free/play time for the most part. As Nathan (now 4 months) gets older, he'll be more involved in preschool, too.  A little bit of school is done, but most of it is saved for afternoons. On our off days, the afternoons will be for projects or nap/rest time.

One of the most common problems for homeschool families is getting the housework done, and keeping it done. If your family is small, and your children are big, you may have it all under control. But if your family is big and your children are small, you may be looking for at least one clean spoon to stir the oatmeal with this morning! I have a method for both laundry and dishes, and I'll share them with you.

DISHES:

We've had different ways of handling this over the past few years; everything from Mom doing all the dishes, to each person taking a different meal's dishes. My husband came up with a new idea this year (since I was pregnant and then taking care of the new baby) and I like this one best so far. The kids aren't that crazy about it, but then they aren't crazy about doing dishes at all. : )

There are 4 of us who are able to wash dishes (and I do mean wash, since we don't have a dishwasher!). Our schedule looks like this:

Monday-Claudia      Tuesday- Chloe      Wednesday - Claudia      Thursday - Chloe

Friday - Mom          Saturday - Mom     Sunday - Dad

Mom or Dad will help out if the girls have too many dishes or lots of pans, etc. No one wants to be stuck in the kitchen for an hour. Anyone is able to try to "hire" someone else on their day, but if no one takes the offer, they still have to do their dishes. I've taken the money before to do the dishes, but only to help the girls learn that it was not a very smart way to spend their money. I think they learned it pretty quickly.

On a side note, my husband "hired" me to do his for the year by buying me a new sewing machine! So, I do dishes all weekend now, and gladly!

"Doing the Dishes" is not all that is required. It's more like "Cleaning the Kitchen." For this part we are still in training. Here are our guidelines for a clean kitchen:

After all meals:

wash all dishes and pans

dry and put dishes away

hang dish drainer under sink

wipe counters, stove top, and washer (yes, my washer is in the kitchen)

After dinner:

put wet and dirty towels in white basket

hang clean towel on oven door

sweep kitchen floor

wipe sink clean and shiny

As I said, we are still in the training process on the complete job. But we'll get there. If the girls don't finish the job, or only do it halfway, I make them go back until it's done.

When I was about 13 or 14, I remember having the responsibility for all the dishes in our house. My mom kept a jar of quarters in the cabinet, and each time I finished the dishes, I could have a quarter. It may not sound like much, but quarters add up quickly. It was great incentive.

LAUNDRY:

Here is a system I've been using for  years. I'm not a "laundry day" person. I don't like having piles of laundry around the house all day. Instead, I have always split up my loads over the entire week. This is how our laundry schedule looks:

Monday - Darks

Tuesday - Lights and whites

Wendesday - bathroom towels and kitchen towels

Thursday - Darks again

Friday - blankets, sheets, misc. laundry

We try to stick to this, although there may be times darks need to be done on Friday, etc.  I keep my kitchen laundry seperate from the rest, just because I'm funny about getting my food-related laundry mixed in with the clothes.

This year, I started making my own laundry soap. I was getting tired of buying a new jug of expensive soap every week (and I usually bought the store brand). So I researched homemade laundry soap on the internet and found a recipe I liked. I make a 5-gallon bucket full, and it lasts our family of six for 6 weeks. No kidding!

Home Made Laundry Detergent

1 bar bath soap, grated (I've used Fels Naptha, Ivory, and now I'm trying the Melaleuca Gold Bar)

1 cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda (I couldn't find it in stores; I bought it at www.soapsgonebuy.com)

1/2 cup Borax

Hot water

1. Place grated soap in a pot.

2. Cover with water and simmer over medium heat until all soap is melted, stirring occasionally.

3. Pour into 5 gallon bucket.

4. Add Washing Soda and Borax.

5. Add enough hot water to fill the bucket.

6. Stir (I use a long dowel rod).

7. Let sit overnight to gel.

8. Use 1 cup per load.

(from www. recipezaar.com)

I have been very happy with the results, especially the money saved!

I have recently shared this recipe with a couple of friends, and decided more might see it here. I got it off the internet myself by joining a slow cooking Yahoo group. (That was a great idea, by the way!)

Crockpot Breakfast

1 bag frozen shredded hash browns

1 dozen eggs

1/2 large onion, diced

6-10 slices of cooked bacon, diced OR 6-10 slices of ham, diced

1 cup milk

salt and pepper

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Spray crock pot with non-stick spray. Layer about 1/3 bag of hashbrowns, onions, bacon, and cheese. Repeat layers two more times. In a mixing bowl, beat together eggs, milk, salt and pepper. Slowly drizzle over the ingredients in crock pot. Cover and turn on low heat. Cook overnight.

I like to make this on Saturday nights. It makes Sunday morning so easy to have breakfast ready when I wake up! Just spoon it onto plates and serve with toast or biscuits!

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."  Proverbs 22:6

Occasionally I will see the need for some training in certain areas. This usually stems from repeated problems, or questions, or a lack of self-discipline in one or more of the children. So we have a list of House Rules posted on the fridge. This will change from time to time as the problem is conquered and new problems need to be addressed.

Here is our current list:

 1. One drinking cup per person, per day.  

2. Chores must be done without being reminded every day. If not, you will lose computer time, and chores will be done during free time. 

3. Computer time is 30 minutes per day and only after lunch if chores and schoolwork are done. 

4. TV time is 1 hour per day and only after lunch if chores and schoolwork are done.  

5. Candy is allowed once per day after lunch. Do not ask at any other time!  

6. Front seat privilege alternates monthly.  

7. Bedtime CD choice alternates weekly. Check calendar.  

8. Use same towel for showers for a whole week.

I'll explain a few of these in case it will be helpful in your home.

Front Seat Privilege You probably deal with the same thing I do: "Mom, it's my turn to sit in the front! She did yesterday!" Then, "No, I did not! We didn't go anywhere yesterday!" I got the idea for the month-at-a-time privilege from my friend Corrine. It's amazing how much stress is saved when Mom doesn't have to keep track of trivial information like this!

Bedtime CD Choice This was another piece of information that I didn't want to keep in my head. My girls share a bedroom, and they like to listen to a CD at bedtime. We used to alternate days, but that was too much to keep up with. They have to agree to be content with that their sister chooses on her week. No complaints!

Bath Towels We have a small house with 1 bathroom for 6 people. We also kept running out of clean towels within one or two days of doing laundry. I kept saying, "Hang up your towel when you're finished with your shower" but it wasn't sticking. So, since we have a variety of colors in our bathroom towel selection (which really messes with my sense of what's pretty!) each person has a different color towel. It should be hung up after showering. When a towel is left lying around or thrown in the dirty laundry, I can tell who did it by the color of the towel. By the way, my friend Corinne also mentioned a friend of hers who had a similar method, but is much more design-friendly: all the towels are the same color, but each one has a different color of wide-grossgrain ribbon attached as a loop for hanging on a hook. I like that idea. : )

Candy You may think we have a huge bucket of candy sitting in our kitchen, but I assure you that's not the case. The candy I mentioned above is always from birthday party goody bags, Valentine's Day, Easter, Christmas, or some other party we've been to. It seems the kids always have some candy, and I never buy any! So that's how we handle eating it. It's another question that I got tired of answering and thinking "Have you already had some today?"

If you repeatedly deal with the same few issues in your home, I encourage you to write them down and decide how to they should be dealt with. Then make a list or sign, go over it with everyone in the house, and post it so it can be read daily. If the kids come to me with a question that's addressed on this list, I usally say, "Go look at the Rules on the fridge."

"One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating."  ~Luciano Pavarotti and William Wright, Pavarotti, My Own Story

My organizational ideas were all born out of either desperation or frustration; usually the frustration of listening to repeated questions, complaining, or arguing. One of these has to do with meals. I was constantly hearing what every Mom hears: "What's for dinner?" and I hated those days when I didn't have an answer! So I came up with some solutions that I will share with you.

1) A "Weekly Menu" for breakfast and lunch, and 2) a rotating list of ideas for dinner.

When I made the Weekly Menu, I sat down with my kids and asked them what they would like to have. They were excited about the plan because they had some input. Of course, I also threw in the easy stuff, like PB&H (peanut butter & honey) to make my life easier.

Here is our current Weekly Menu:

Breakfast

Monday: Muffins and Fruit

Tuesday: Biscuits, Bacon, Gravy, etc

Wednesday: Oatmeal

Thursday: Cereal

Friday: Bacon & Cheese Biscuits

Saturday: Pancakes or Waffles

Sunday: Omelets or Crockpot Breakfast and Biscuits

Lunch

Monday: PB&H sandwich

Tuesday: Pigs in blankets

Wednesday: Bean Burritos (or sometimes leftovers)

Thursday: Fruit and crackers or popcorn or yogurt

Friday: Turkey or ham sandwich and chips

Saturday: Leftovers

Sunday: Salad and baked potato

This has been a brain-saver. I keep this menu posted on the fridge so I don't have to answer that question anymore. I save time by already having a plan and not wasting time each day staring at the pantry deciding what to fix, and I save money by buying exactly what I know we'll be eating. I also varied the menu from day to day so that we don't get tired of the same thing every day.

For dinner I typed up a list (with the whole family's help) of our favorite meals and some of my favorite stand-by meals, along with a list of all possible side dishes. When we try something new, I can add it to this list. I scan this list weekly for my dinner menu.

Each week when I'm planning my grocery trip, the first thing I do is plan next week's meals. When doing this I also check our calendar. If we're going to be busy one day, I might choose a quick-fix meal, or even a slow-cooker meal. If we'll be home all day, I might make something special that takes more time. If we have a family get-together or church function, I'll know that I need to shop for that as well. As I'm writing my menu down, I also mark the ingredients needed on my shopping list. This is a great way to save money by getting everything you need and very little that you don't.

Once I've decided on this week's dinner menu, I write it on my white board. Now everyone knows what we're eating at every meal every day next week.

This, of course, is not written in stone. Sometimes I'll switch Tuesday for Friday, or if we're hungry for something completely different on a whim, I'll throw out that night's menu altogether. If that happens, I just move that meal to the next week, and I alreay have all the ingredients I need to make it! The scheduled meals just give us a guideline and make each day a little easier for Mom.

When I go grocery shopping, I take a print-out of my customized grocery list with me. I've done this for years, and it helps me to remember everything I need, and also saves time making extra trips back and forth across the WalMart Supercenter! I created this list in Excel, and designed it to work from one side of the store to the other with the products we buy regularly. I just highlight these items as I make my list, and in the blank spaces I add the irregular purchases. It looks like this:

Health & Beauty	Baby	Paper Goods		Prepared Foods	Bakery
Pain Reliever	Diapers	Toilet Paper		Refried Beans	french bread
Children's Tylenol	Wipes	Paper Towels		Taco Shells	tortillas
Shakes	Lotion	Trash Bags		Ranch St. Beans	donuts
Shampoo	Rash cream	Ziploc bags		Baked Beans
Conditioner	Nursing pads	Foil		Green Beans
Toothpaste	cups	Plastic Wrap		Rice	Produce
Toothbrush	Drinks	Wax Paper		beans
Deoderant		Paper plates		macaroni	bananas
Hairspray	Soda Cans			pasta	oranges
	Soda 2 liter	Chips/Snacks		Prego	apples
				corn	grapes
Pets	Dairy	chips		tomatoes	potatoes
		pop corn		soup	salad
Dry cat food	Milk	Baking		herb seasoning	onion
Canned cat food	Eggs				strawberries
	Butter	Flour		Condiments, Tea	carrots
	Cream Cheese	Sugar		tea	tomatoes
Household	Sour Cream	Baking Powder		hot choc	garlic
	Yogurt	Baking Soda		herbal tea	blueberries
Light bulbs	Yogurt Drinks	Salt		mayo	peppers
batteries	biscuits	Oil		mustard	tomatillos
containers	cookie dough	Non-stick spray		ketchup
tubs	Cleaners	Cornmeal		salad dressing
towels	Sponges	Brown Sugar		pb
Beauty	Laundry Soap	Rice Milk		jelly
	Fabric Softener
Lotion	Dish Soap	Breakfast		Bread, Frozen	Misc
Makeup	Hand Soap
Nail Care	Mop Pads	Cereal		bread	stamps
	Mop Cleaner	Instant Oatmeal		little debbies	gifts:
	Air Freshener	Regular Oatmeal		buns
		Malt-o-Meal		English muffins
Crafts	Meat	Syrup
printer paper	bacon	Muffin Mix		Frozen
pick up photos	beef	Pop Tarts
	chicken			juice
	turkey sausage			ravioli
	ham			pizza
	turkey			corn
	cheese

Having a list of our regular purchases decreases the chances of forgetting to write something on my list. It's designed so that it can be folded in half vertically, which is easier to manage while I'm pushing my basket and watching up to 4 children at the same time.

On the back of this is where I print out my weekly menu. If there's something I need to know, or have a change in plans, or see a sale, I've already got the menu with me at the grocery store and it's easier to make or change a decision.

I hope my ideas will help you, or give you inspiration for something that works for your home!

I'd like to share how we keep organized with our time during school. You've seen our schedule in a previous post. I took just the school section and expanded it into a seperate worksheet for each girl. Below is a sample week of Summer School for my 11 year old:

Day	Subject	Assignment	Complete
Day 1	Math	Watch DVD lesson 6, do 6A
	Copywork	Your choice
	Latin/Vocabulary	p. 19 and 33
	Grammar	Read p. 15, finish page 18
	Bible	Practice Memory Verse: Isaiah 40:8, Lesson 3, Day 1
		copy Jeremiah 1:5 into copybook
	Spelling
Day 2	Math	Lessons 6B, 6D
	Geography	Practice flash cards, take quiz
	Latin/Vocabulary	p.20
	Grammar	Read p. 21, do page 22
	Bible	Practice memory Verse: Isaiah 40:8, Lesson 3, Day 2
		Copy Mark 6:4 into copybook
	Spelling
Day 3	Math	Read "Mathemeticians are People, Too" p. 19-27
	Geography
	Latin/Vocabulary
	Grammar
	Bible	Practice Memory Verse
	Spelling

When the girls finish an assignment, they check the box next to it. For my older daughter, this gives her more independence. She doesn't need to wait for me to tell her what to do each time she opens a book. It also helps with record-keeping. When a worksheet is complete for the week, I simply put it in my file.

Most local libraries have a summer reading program, and we like to get involved if we can. It really does get my kids excited about reading more books. So, since it works, we've done similar things in our home.

We are currently using a "punch card" similar to the kind used for repeat purchases in scrapbook stores, bookstores, etc. I bought a package of them at a local teacher supply. They have space for about 25 hole-punches, and my daughters earn punches in several ways:

• A perfect score on their spelling test
• Reciting memory verses perfectly
• Completing a book

My 7 year old will earn 1 punch per book, while my 11 year old may earn 2-3 per book, since she reads much longer books. I will make that determination based on each individual book.

When a punch card is completed, they will earn a $10 gift card to Mardel or Books-A-Million, or an iTunes gift card. I like to reward educational work with educational gifts, so that's why I'm not giving out candy and toys.

Recently both my girls each set a goal to earn an iPod Shuffle. My 11 year old had to complete 10 writing assignments in our Enrichment Class program. Her teacher assigned them as bonus work, but I made them mandatory for earning the iPod. Since writing is her least favorite part of school, this required a big effort. But she did it! After seeing her sister's success, my 7 year old wanted an iPod, too. I assigned her 10 books to read that were "hard" books for her. After several weeks, she earned hers, too!

About the iPod:

We like the iPods for the girls. The model they have can hold approximately 240 songs (that's a lot for a kid!). They can download songs from iTunes with permission and supervision, and each song has to be approved my Mom. We also copy our CDs to iTunes to put their favorite songs or albums on the iPod. But my favorite use for the iPod is audio books! My girls are huge fans of Jim Weiss, so we've been copying these CDs to iTunes as well. My 7 year old has "Farmer Boy" on hers. My 11 year old is a Louis L'amour fan (like her Mom) so we plan to copy some of these stories, as well. The possibilities are endless!

The girls listen while doing chores, riding in the car, or playing in their room. One rule: when there are people in the room with them, they may only wear one earbud. This prevents the appearances of rudeness and anti-social behavior! 

I use a mix of things every year for our school. I make my picks based on:

• Age of the child
• Time required by parent and student
• Interests of the child
• Ability to "group teach"

For my 11 year old:

• Math-U-See
• Copywork is usually a scripture or poem from "Book of Virtues"
• Typing is Typing Instructor
• Latin/Vocabulary is Word Roots
• Grammar is Easy Grammar
• Bible Study is Explorer's Bible Study Quest
• Spelling is Natural Speller
• History/Science is Beautiful Feet's History of Science

For my 7 year old:

• Math-U-See
• Copywork is varied
• Reading - library books read aloud to me
• Grammar is Easy Grammar
• Spelling is Natural Speller
• History/Science is Beautiful Feet's History of Science

I like Natural Speller because it has lists for every grade level, so I can use this book for all my kids at different stages. I also chose The History of Science because both girls can do it together.

My 7yo is still improving her reading skills, so she reads aloud to me every day, and at least once a week we study a new page in Abeka's Handbook for Reading. I do catch her reading books on her own in her free time, too. My 11yo needs no encouragement! She reads for pleasure every day, so I don't schedule it in her school day.

For the 2yo, we use flash cards, puzzles, coloring pages, read lots and lots of books, and do plenty of hands-on activities, like Legos, wooden blocks, Lincoln Logs, etc. We think he's very smart!

Chores: After trying many things, I have decided that for us, chores before breakfast is the best method. It gives the girls more incentive to work quickly.

Each girl has daily chores, and we all have weekly chores. This is the method I've always liked for housework. I know some people prefer to do all the housework in one day. That' fine, too, but this is my way. So, we all do our "morning chores" and then check the list at the bottom of the schedule to see what "weekly chore" we do that day. What's been so great about this is that so many things that weren't getting done before are now done on a regular basis.

I try to make a habit of checking chores. If they are not done properly, they must be done again. I have made "chore cards" with detailed instructions for how each cleaning job should be done. That way there are no excuses of "I didn't know I was supposed to do that!" Having to re-do a chore just a couple of times is a great way to get it done right!

School: We really, really try to stay with this schedule, and it's hard sometimes, with a toddler and a newborn. But it's really nice to get the bulk of the work done before lunch.

You can see I've tried to alternate the girls' subjects so that I can spend one-on-one time with them in the subjects where it's necessary. With Claudia, I usually am only helping her in Bible (because it's an interesting study she's doing, and I want to read it, too!). She is able to complete most of her work alone. When she's finished, I check her work and go over anything she missed so that she doesn't move on without completely understanding the topic. Chloe still needs my attention on almost all of her subjects, although she is starting to grow more independent as her reading improves.

Since Nicholas is a very busy 2 year old boy, I also have a schedule for him that alternates regularly. If we are consistent with this, he doesn't get bored, and so stays out of trouble.

One of the greates tips from MOTH is to let each older sibling take some time with the younger siblings. So, you can see that at 9:30 Claudia is doing "Preschool with Nicholas." This makes him so excited! She does simple things like coloring pages, reading a story, playing blocks, teaching songs, etc. The one-on-one attention is wonderful for him, and he learns so much! He already counts to about 15, knows his colors, and is singing songs. Even better, Claudia gets to develop a special relationship with a sibling who is 9 years her junior. Chloe also has playtime with Nicholas, and they usually spend it in the front yard running and playing. This is absolutely necessary for Nicholas!

Breaks and Increments: Having regular 15-30 minute increments ensures that the kids don't get burned out on one subject. It is also important to take breaks regularly, so they can clear their heads and move around. I try to encourage the kids to go outside and play on their break, instead of looking at the computer or reading (which my 11 year old would normally choose).

Babies: My 4th child, Nathan, is not on the schedule because he doesn't need to be. He is a dream baby! He was sleeping all night by 6 weeks, and he takes long naps during the day. He smiles when he is awake. He nurses well, and is just content to be with the family. So, I let him "blend" with us. With my last baby, I did the same. When I had my first two, I was determined to schedule them, and I was constantly stressed, looking at the clock, thinking "she shouldn't be hungry yet" or "you can't take a nap for another 30 minutes." Not scheduling the babies freed me up so much, and I enjoyed the time spent with them even more!

Free time: This is a must for all children! My girls have become very creative, and I believe it's because they have time to think and experiment with the things they love. I notice a difference in behavior if they don't get that down time just a couple of days in a row.

Evenings: I don't schedule the evenings too tightly. I think it's easier on Dad and the whole family, and evenings tend to be different depending on your lifestyle. We do stick to a regular bedtime, and try, try, try to have reading before that.

One last thing: please don't assume that our days runs perfeclty smooth just from looking at the schedule! There are days when I didn't sleep well, I roll out of bed at 8 when Nicholas comes crying, school doesn't start til 10:30, and showers don't get taken until just before dinner! Our schedule is a guideline, but I never feel that it is my master!

"Let all things be done decently and in order." 1 Corinthians 14:40

I promised more on scheduling, so here it is. I am, by nature, a listmaker, scheduler, and chart designer. So this is a very natural lifestyle for me. However, I know that it doesn't fit with everyone's personality. So, I'm not trying to beat you over the head with this; it's just here in case somone finds it helpful.

As I said earlier, I base my daily schedule on Managers of Their Homes, and it has been such a blessing! Occasionally I will re-read the book and get some new insight into this idea, especially when we've had some changes in our home (new baby, growing number of school kids, etc.)

So here is my schedule:

		Weekday Schedule			Effective April 2008
		Mom	Claudia	Chloe	Nicholas
	6:30	Exercise	Exercise
	7:00	shower	feed cats
	7:15	Get dressed, make bed	shower
	7:30	Wake kids, dress boys	get dressed                              wake up, get dressed                                       wake up
	8:00	Prepare breakfast	Daily & Weekly chores                          Daily & Weekly chores                           Help with chores
	8:30	Breakfast	Breakfast	Breakfast	Breakast
	9:00	Check chores, start laundry	Math	Bible Study	Bath/Playtime
	9:15	Nurse Nathan	Math                                                                                                                  Playtime
S	9:30	Reading w/ Chloe	Preschool w/Nicholas	Reading w/Mom	Preschool w/Claudia	S
C	9:45	Math w/Chloe	Copywork M W/Geography T Th                    Math w/Mom                                          Activity time			C
H	10:00	Read to Nicholas	Typing	Copywork	Story with Mom	H
O	10:15	School records	Latin/Vocabulary	Playtime with Nicholas	Playtime w/ Chloe	O
O	10:30	Break/check laundry	Break	Break	Break	O
L	10:45	Grammar with girls	Grammar	Grammar	Read/video	L
	11:00	Bible Study w/ Claudia	Bible Study
	11:30	Nurse Nathan
	11:45	Spelling with girls	Spelling	Spelling	Playtime
	12:00	Lunch	------------------------------------Lunch-------------------------------------
	12:30	Lunch/cleanup	Lunch/cleanup
	1:00	Read to Nicholas/Nurse Nathan	History/Science	History/Science	Nap
	1:30	Rest or Read	History/Science	History/Science	Nap
	2:00	Exercise or rest	Reading	Free Time	Nap
	3:00	Nurse Nathan	Computer Time                                            Shower
	3:15		Homework or Free Time	Free Time
	3:30	Errands/Housework/Free Time	-----------------------------------Errands/Projects/Free Time/Laundry-------------------------
	4:00	Errands/Housework/Free time	-----------------------------------Errands/Projects/Free Time/Laundry-------------------------
	5:00	Dinner Prepare	Dinner Prepare or Free Time	Set Table	Play with Daddy or sister
	5:30	Dinner		Dinner	Dinner
	6:00	Dinner Clean-up	Clear Table	Dinner	Play
	6:30	Family Time
	8:00		Reading with Randy	Reading with Randy	Reading with Randy
	8:15

"Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone - while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?"                Job 38:4-7

I am not an environmentalist. I don't believe in global warming. I do think we should be good stewards of the earth we have been given, but I think the environmental movement is going overboard.

I am getting fed up to here with the Green Movement. There's nothing wrong with conserving energy, or using biodegradable paper products, or recycling. What's getting old is the government getting involved and mandating what kind of light bulbs we can use, or worse, where our oil comes from.

I'm not a scientist, a theologian, or a meteorologist. But (as Glenn Beck says) I am a thinker. And I think God knows what's going on down here, and He can handle it. Are we as humans so arrogant to believe that our choice of light bulbs can save the planet? Did the Creator make an earth that can't withstand our modern technology? Didn't the God who "was, and is, and is to come" see into the future and know what kind of cars we'd drive?

Consider God's answers to Job so many centuries ago, when Job dared to question God's ways. I think His answers are fitting to us today:

"Who shut up the seas behind doors when it burst forth from the womb, when I made the clouds its garment and wrapped it in thick darkness? When I fixed limits for it and set its doors and bars in place, when I said ' This far you may come and no farther; here is where your proud waves halt?' Have you ever given orders to the morning or shown the dawn its place, that it might take the earth by the edges and shake the wicked out of it?"     Job 38:8-12

We have the audacity to believe that it is humans that control the temperature and the weather; that hurricanes are somehow our fault. Fortunately for us, God humors us:

Have you entered the storehouses of the snow or seen the storehouses of the hail, which I reseve for times of trouble, for days of war and battle? What is the way to the abode of light? And where does the darkness reside? Can you take them to their places? Do you know the paths to their dwellings? Surely you know, for you were already born! You have lived so many years! What is the way to the place where the lightning is dispersed, or the place where east winds are scattered over the earth? Who cuts a channel for the torrents of rain, and a path for the thunderstorm, to water a land where no man lives, a desert with no one in it, to satisfy a desolate wasteland and make it sprout with grass? Does the rain have a father? Who fathers the drops of dew? From whose womb comes the ice? Who gives birth to the frost from the heavens when the waters become hard as stone, when the surface of the deep is frozen?"                   Job 38:19, 24-30

It's clear that all weather phenomena comes straight from the hand of God. It is not up to us.

"Can you raise your voice to the clouds and cover yourself with a flood of water? Do you send the lightning bolts on their way? Do they report to you, 'Here we are?' Who endowed the heart with wisdom or gave understanding to the mind? Who has the wisdom to count the clouds? Who can tip over the water jars of the heavens when the dust becomes hard and the clods of earth stick together?                Job 38:34-38               

It is a dangerous thing when people believe they have as much power as God. He still determines the seasons, the waves, the rain, the snow, the heat, and the cold. We don't.

Now, you may be thinking that I have chosen to live an irresponsible, un-green lifestyle. I actually do have an interest in solar energy, drilling a well for my own water, organic gardening, and other so-called "green" living ideas. But I want to be free to choose for myself and my family.

Finally, I will make a prediction. "Going Green" will be a fad that passes in my lifetime. I think people will eventually start to think for themselves, and will see that it's just the latest bandwagon, and they will decide to get off.

Now what does this have to do with homeschooling? Plenty. Homeschooling for me is not just the schoolbooks. I want to encourage my children to learn to think for themselves, to use some common sense. I hope that when they deal with current issues they will be able to think them through and form an opinion, instead of getting their opinions from the evening news or their favorite Hollywood celebrity.

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."   3 John 4

There are about as many reasons to homeschool as there are homeschoolers, and each family has their own specific reasons.

I have a few, myself.  My reasons are:

• Academic excellence
• Freedom to teach my children about God in all subjects
• Close, personal relationships with all my children
• Close, personal relationships between all my children
• The ability to monitor their friendships closely

This list is a short one; I have lots more reasons besides these. But they all fall into this one, big reason:

I want my children to be world changers!

Whether they become doctors, burger flippers, missionaries or the parents of little children, I want them to have a profound impact in this world for Jesus. They can do that anywhere, at anytime, in any walk of life.

Some questions I ask myself from time to time when planning our schooling, are:

• Will my kids be able to read and comprehend whatever they need to?
• Will they be able to write clearly and persuasively?
• Will they have the ability to wade through facts and learn more?
• Will they know how to buy and sell wisely, and will they be equipped to live on very little or very much?
• Will they learn from history and be able to apply it to current-day issues?
• Will they be able to recall scriptures or hymns to comfort them in time of need or struggle?
• Will they be able to listen when someone speaks, without their mind wandering?
• Will they be able to read a map and follow directions?
• Will they be able to find contentment and peace, and not be in constant need of entertainment?
• Will they be able to feed, clothe, and provide for a family?

I could do this all day, and so could you; and it's a good idea to do so. It really helps you to get a vision for your homeschool. Yes, grammar and spelling and geography are all necessary, but I like to look beyond the "three Rs" and see how they can apply these things to real life someday.

I want school to be a fun time of learning and exploration, not a scope and sequence that has to be checked off at the end of a year. So, while we do acknowledge grade levels for each child, it is more of a way to be on an even keel with others when we sign up for activities that require it. Example: Sunday School, Enrichment Classes, camps, etc.

When it comes to curriculum, I use what ever works for the learning level they are on. If they are "ahead" in one subject, and a little "behind" in another, it doesn't bother me, because I know that they are going to have their strong and weak areas, and we can be flexible enough to work with them. By the time they are finished with their schooling, I know that they will have a very well-rounded education. But what's more, I want them to love learning and to continue learning when they are adults. If there's something we "missed" they can certainly study it for themselves.

I know this is a desirable trait, because I have always loved learning and have taught myself many things. My mother taught me to sew, and then I did some research and taught myself to quilt. I've been an avid reader as far back as I can remember, so I've been studying whatever interests me since I was a teenager.

I taught myself about organic gardening, scrapbooking, homeopathy, American History, and many other things. I bet you have, too. That's what I want for my children's education: the desire and ability to learn anything.

The most important thing I want for my children, though, is a personal relationship with Jesus, and a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. I think that these two, along with a quick mind, will help them through anything that life brings their way.

“It is the duty of parents to maintain their children decently, and according to their circumstances; to protect them according to the dictates of prudence; and to educate them according to the suggestions of a judicious and zealous regard for their usefulness, their respectability and happiness.”

-- James Wilson, a signer of the Declaration of Independence

I am an organizer! I could not accomplish what I do without a lot of organization. Several years ago, I read "Managers of Their Homes" by Steve and Terri Maxwell. It gave me lots of helpful ideas, and I still use those ideas today. When I first read it, my girls were 5 and 1, and I was babysitting a 4 year old and and infant 10 hours a day, 5 days a week. It was my daughter's kindergarten year, and I was determined to stay on track. So I implemented the MOTH strategies, and it worked wonders.

Along with schooling, feeding kids, and all that goes into taking care of 4 kids, I was able to manage housework, meals, gardening, and more, so that when the kids were having naps and quiet time, I was able to relax with a good book or my scrapbooking. It was amazing. The house stayed clean, and it was very peaceful.

I know that some people have issues with scheduling, and that's okay. I'm not at all offended by it. But I find it very helpful.

A couple of differences I have with the MOTH method: 1) I nurse my babies on demand, and it still flows with the rest of the schedule; 2) I use a mix of curriculum and whole books for my relaxed homeschool.

I homeschool year round, which enables us to take days (or even weeks!) off when desired or necessary. We typically try to school 3 or 4 days a week during the September-May school year, and at least 3 days a week in summer. However, we will drop this if summer activies come up (summer camp, grandma's house). This takes away all the stress of "keeping up."

More on scheduling later...

Welcome to my blog! This is where I will share my homeschooling methods, organizational strategies, and try to offer tips that have been helpful to me over the years. I've had several friends ask me for different ideas, or ask to see my "notebook" many times, so now I'm going to put it all in one place.

Let me introduce myself. My name is Nicki. My husband is Randy, and we have four kids. My kids are: Claudia (11), Chloe (7), Nicholas (2) and Nathan (2 months). My husband took this photo on Mother's Day.

I am a second-generation homeschooler. My parents started teaching my sister and me at home when I was 11. I enjoyed it. So when I had children, there was never another option for me. We've been "officially" schooling for 7 years now. It's been a very interesting road, and it gets more interesting now that I have a baby and toddler in the mix!

When I have free time (what's that?) I enjoy reading books of all kinds and sewing, quilting, and other crafts. My husband and I are big LOST fans. He's a movie buff, and I'm not really, but occasionally we'll watch a DVD together.