Donna's Journey

“We have REALLY been slacking off these past few weeks. I just can’t seem to get into things. I can’t wake up in the morning on time and I can’t seem to get my chores done on time or the kids up on time and then I just want to veg on the computer or read a book or watch a movie….I need some helpful hints.

I can’t find ds’s Math Library he was using before the move…”

Take a deep breath. Moves up end family rhythms. Starting a family business can also change dynamics. Having a family member marry and move also changes the dynamics. When you change one part of the family equation you change the whole equation and therefore the solutions. The tendency is try to restore things to a previous order, but there are new factors at work. When you move, it can take time to adjust and create systems/rhythms, and methods to meet current situation.

Even I am having to readjust, because we:
* packed up half our home to move, then did not move. Now I have to bring things back into my home.
* started a family business with my daughters.
* had a daughter marry and that changed our family size as she moved out.

Available distractions will interfere with establishing new routines and progress. It is so easy to just slide into distraction and then it becomes a habit, hard to overcome.

I would take a week- a month to regroup and this is part of their education, as well.

Assess, evaluate, make a plan.

During that regroup time, it is time to really get rid of what you do not use and need, and start creating new rhythms. So you do not feel guilty during this time, do a morning devotional, read aloud from a chapter book each day, take a nature walk each day and let them run, and group learning.
Address:
* mealtimes and bring them into regularity, a nutritious snack mid morning and mid afternoon to keep blood sugar even, shifting blood sugar affects attitudes and emotions. Key- if you have a menu and you shop from it and store it, you will be more likely to have regularity of meals. If you prepare food by mood or craving then you will struggle. Make a plan and work the plan.
* media usage and work to find ways to limit it and have it off about two hours before bedtime so your body can produce the melatonin to help you sleep.
* bedtimes should be earlier, rather than later. The more hours you sleep before midnight the better.
* evaluate what work needs to be done in each room year round. How often? Make a plan of which days you will do what. If it gets bumped it gets bumped to the next scheduled time for doing it. Make a plan and work that plan.
* schedule time for school.
** plan a daily walk (20 minutes-1 hour)
** plan about one hour of group learning:
*** devotional (20 minutes)
*** pledge, quote, and song (15 minutes)
*** this day in History/Church History (5Minutes)
*** read from a classic (20 minutes)
*** Biographic spotlight: (5-10 m inutes)
**** Daily read from a bio about a founding father
**** An Artist- first Monday (one art work a week)
**** A Musician- second Monday (listen to music during the week)
**** A Mathematician- third Monday (includes inventors, scientists, and discoverers)
**** A Statesman- fourth Monday (includes philosophers, dramatist, writers, religious leaders, and heads of state)
It only takes a few minutes to learn about them on line and then share. I have lists of names and books free on moorhouseacademy.org. Moorhouseacademy.org is free to get access. The software calls the listings courses but they are actually resources. Plan a free field trip each Friday. Read the Daily Dozen in the pages section of the right tool bar on this blog.

So, if you will take a couple of hours to do the above each day, then you know they are moving forward everyday. Then use the rest of the day to reclaim your family life by establishing rhythms. The kids have a choice they either study or they are to work along side you during school hours. Whatever your state requires of class time each day. Work is school, as well. If your state requires 7.5 hours, the time starts when they get out of bed. They can have recess but their time when not at recess is to learn or work. They start at 7 they are done at 2:30. They start at 10 they are done at 5:30. They start at noon, well then they finish and go to bed. If studies and work are done then have projects they can do to fill the rest of the time. I would not promise them computer time, tv, etc, if they finish early. Structure the time and here are some project areas: Scout advancement, Faith in God, Duty to God, Personal Progress, learning to cook, sew, learn to play an instrument, make home made Christmas presents for each other.

This is a default schedule. If emergencies happen and you know they will, just pick up where you left off after the emergency. You are one minute from being back in the rhythm zone. Just as long as it takes to catch yourself and realize that it is within your power, and to decide to course correct. The Rhythm Zone: A time to eat, a time to exercise, a time to sleep, a time to wake, a time to learn, a time to work, a time to play…