This weeks assignment for Blogger Friend School is about housekeeping.  I haven't done well with the assignments so far.  The last couple I just had a tough time with.  In fact the 2nd week I typed and deleted many times and still never got it to the "press".  It was about my struggles in homeschooling.  I prefer to focus on the possitive things and therefore, I had a tough time really coming up with the struggles.  Do I have struggles.... absolutey!  Just different ones at different times.

However, housekeeping I could say is one of those struggles.  I've learned (even though I don't always like it) that sometimes the house needs to just be left go.  I was telling the kids not long ago about how Dad and I used to do a weekly cleaning.   Now.... It just doesn't happen.   The difference between then and now.... When the kids were little the messes were toys laying all over.  It was attainable to keep the house "clean", it was just cluttered with toys.  Now, the kids are older and make messes of there own.  For instance, they can cook & get into things and they don't clean it up as I would.  Difference now is the house in straightened up, but just not as "clean" as it used to be.  

We do go by chore charts.  We have found that this works best.  Usuallly, after about 6 months or so they need to be revamped because they get bored with the same things.  (Which reminds me that they need to be revamped because I notice the kids aren't keeping up with them as well.)  This helps to keep the daily routines done and the house straightened up.  The hardest thing with this is, we do chores after school & sometimes schooling goes into 3 and 4 o'clock.  It's then supper time and in the evenings is family time.  The chores at times get pushed aside & then of course build up.

Another thing that I have found is that occasionally when the house is getting really bad is do a 1/2 hour pick up.  We all will pitch in and clean anything that seems to need cleaned.  Anyone found being idle will have 5 minutes tacked on to the end of their time.  The kids like this & there is an end in view.  The house usually looks a lot better when it is done and it doesn't take long with everyone pitching in. 

I'd have to say that I really like the memory verse for this week, "Be deligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress." 1 Timothy 5:15  What a great reminder! 

Blessings!