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Across the Fence:  OK I need a routine.  |
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MrsRooster
True Blue Farmgirl
1168 Posts
Amy
Seabrook
TX
USA
1168 Posts |
 Posted - Nov 22 2011 : 4:51:58 PM
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Now that I am homeschooling and my hubby works 11 to 12 hours a day and some Saturdays, I need to get a routine going. When he is home Saturday afternoons and Sundays, we run around and nothing gets done at home. So that leaves everything to get done during the week. Where do I start? Do you do laundry every day? Do you do laundry on a specific day? Do you clean bathrooms once a week?
Please share your routine to help me get organizied and in the groove.
www.mrsrooster.blogspot.com
www.morganicinstitute.blogspot.com
Farmgirl #1259
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heritagehunter
True Blue Farmgirl
207 Posts
Julie
La Salle
Co
USA
207 Posts |
Posted - Nov 22 2011 : 6:56:30 PM
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My routine has changed over the years depending on schedule changes for my job. What I have always done is made a list of how often things need to be done with how much time it takes to do it, then schedule it according to what my weekly schedule is like.
I have also made "deals" with my son to get help. For example, if he needs a ride somewhere (which takes time from things I need to do) he has to help by either cleaning the bathroom or dishes. It helps us both out. He also has his regular jobs around the house as well, which cuts down on my work too.
Something else I do, is I run errands only once a week. This takes extra planning ahead, but saves a ton of time and gas/money. I also make appointments (hair, Dr's, etc) on those days too.
Don't forget to schedule some family fun time too. |
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22angel
True Blue Farmgirl
498 Posts
Pam
Manitoba
Canada
498 Posts |
Posted - Nov 22 2011 : 8:20:08 PM
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I made myself a cleaning chart, loosely based on Flylady's schedule. When we were growing up, we had a list of chores (we liked it better when Mom would assign us something, instead of just making a list, since we fought over who had to do what), and we also had a dish schedule (who washed, dried, & put away, since the sink was in the back kitchen/porch & the cupboards were in the main part). I agree with Julie about getting your kids to do chores too. Since they live there & help with the mess, it makes sense to have them help. Gives them a bit of responsibility & respect.
This is my schedule:
Sundays: kitchen (dishes, counters, sink, stove, floor, table) & bedroom
Mondays: living room (computer desk, coffee table)
Tuesdays: kitchen & bathroom
Wednesdays: Free
Thursdays: kitchen
Fridays: kitchen, living room, bathroom, entrance
Saturdays: kitchen, living room, bedroom
I am only one person, so I do laundry once a week, and make sure I put it away instead of leaving it in the basket. I need to vacuum more often, I know but for the most part, this is something I can do around my work schedule & other commitments & meetings of the week.
Life isn't about finding yourself. It's about creating yourself.
"When I grow up, I want to be dirt." seen on a box through construction in Wyoming 2010 |
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LuckyMommyof5
True Blue Farmgirl
500 Posts
Suzanne
OH
USA
500 Posts |
Posted - Nov 22 2011 : 8:28:23 PM
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Amy, I'm trying to figure out the same thing. I think I mentioned to you that my husband also usually works 12 hour days during the week and 1 or 2 weekends a month now and I've been feeling overwhelmed. Except for about 4-6 days a month I function for all intents and purposes as a single parent. And I have no family to help me out. I've been trying to figure out better ways of arranging our schedule, since we're going to start homeschooling next year, but so far things aren't working out. And I know exactly what you mean about weekends. When my husband is off, we want to cram in quality family time and no practical matters get tended to. When we force ourselves to tackle chores (bank, yard work, house projects, etc), then the girls suffer because they are robbed of our family time. Not to mention, it's almost impossible to do "woman" things like go to the salon and get my "greys" dyed or get a haircut. We have a sitter we love, but unfortunately my 1-year-old is still TERRIFIED of anyone holding her except for her sisters or my husband and I, so I can't have her come over so I can leave because my youngest will scream, cry and howl until she vomits - literally.
So, I am in desperate need of a solution to the same problem...
Farmgirl Sister #3243
"The real things haven't changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong." - Laura Ingalls Wilder |
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Lieberkim
True Blue Farmgirl
839 Posts
Kimberly
Sunnyside
WASHINGTON
USA
839 Posts |
Posted - Nov 22 2011 : 8:54:18 PM
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I do something similar to Pam only I'm pretty flexible because it depends on what is happening in life. So basically,
Monday - laundry/bedding
Tuesdays - bathrooms
Wednesdays - dusting
Thursdays - floors
Fridays - floors
I do laundry all week I just make sure the bedding is done and the laundry baskets get emptied on Monday. It takes me two days to do my floors because of my back injury. I'll cripple myself if I try to do it all in one day. So this is my baseline but I'm pretty flexible just so long as everything gets done once a week. I got the idea from a Laura Ingalls book. That's how her Ma did it. :D
Excuse the mess & the noise, my children are making happy memories |
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njaw09
True Blue Farmgirl
397 Posts
Annie
NJ
USA
397 Posts |
Posted - Nov 23 2011 : 08:00:40 AM
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I do have a routine but my mine is quite flexible. My husband do not take care of the inside unless I tell him. He is in charge of the outside (mowing the lawn, raking the leaves and anything else that needs to be done that I can't do...). Most of the chores fall on me.
For 2 people & 2 pets our load of laundry piles up quite quickly.
I try to do it everyday (sometimes 3x per day depending if I get sick or I am missing in action) I gather up all my towels first, than bed linens, than socks, light wash and finally dark wash & misc. wash). By weekend I am able to relax. Same with folding clothing but I don't fold socks, panties and ...) those have their own bins or drawers. I change my sheets every week (depending if our dog sleeps in our bed or not...otherwise it is 2 weeks maximum). I don't iron only once in awhile. I told my husband do not buy anymore clothing because the closets and drawers are pack. I purge my clothing when I see a rip I can't mend. I use the old clothing for rags or reuse it for other things.
Bathroom is every week. Sometimes 2 weeks it is all depending.
Handwashing dishes everyday or every other day.
Sweeping every day if possible. Mopping every week or two.
Vacuuming every day or every other day.
When I have freetime I dust or organize.
I cook almost everyday. Except for holidays, birthdays & I am sick.
Less stuff, less cleaning, less headache. |
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FarmDream
True Blue Farmgirl
1085 Posts
Julie
TX
USA
1085 Posts |
Posted - Nov 23 2011 : 5:35:18 PM
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I love Flylady. I usually do laundry once a day if needed. Flylady will say to run the washer anyway, but I won't unless I have a full load. I have my timer to help me do the other chores. If everyone is on board, for the most part, housework should only take an hour at the most. Make children work. When they whine tell them you are teaching them how to take care of themselves. When they are an adult you won't be there to do it for them. Right? And it is only learned through repetition and practice. A concert pianist did not become so by only playing the piano once.
~FarmDream is Farmgirl Sister #3069
Live Today, Cherish Yesterday, Dream Tomorrow
http://naturaljulie.etsy.com
http://julie-rants.blogspot.com |
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musicmommy
True Blue Farmgirl
430 Posts
Wendy
Oregon
USA
430 Posts |
Posted - Nov 23 2011 : 7:41:18 PM
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We homeschool also! My routine is pretty specific to our household as I also teach private lessons during the week. Our basic routine is...
6:00 - I'm up, quiet time for me, computer, Bible study, coffee
7:00 - I think about waking up the boys
7:30 - I actually wake them up. They then have until 8:30 to get dressed, eat breakfast and get morning chores done. They each have an area that they tidy up. I do the same.
8:30 - School starts
10:30 - I workout at a gym 4 days a week. The boys do some indpendent work while I'm there.
12:00 - Lunch and relax
1:00 - Finish up a few things for school
During my teaching time, they are reading, finishing school work, playing in their rooms, watching a video, etc.
My oldest does his own laundry on Mondays as that is my main day for teaching. On the other days, I usually do at least one load, but I have 3 boys...they generate a lot of laundry.
Monday mornings is the big day for cleaning the downstairs of the house because that is where my students are. Otherwise, the upstairs bedrooms and bathrooms happen when they happen. I definitely don't get deep cleaning done as often as I should. Because we have dogs the floors are done once or twice a week.
Bathrooms? Upstairs - once a week. Downstairs guest bathroom - twice a week.
I once sat down and listed all the various "chores" I'd like to have done during the week and then planned it out which day for which chores. Not a good idea as I tend to think I have more time than I really do.
For me, part of being a homeschooler is realizing that my house will never be as clean as some other's. My most important job right now is to share in my children's education, to help them develop a love for learning and in some cases, to learn along with them. It takes a huge chunk of time!
One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.
Bob Marley
www.becomingwendy.wordpress.com |
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bvfarm
Farmgirl in Training
27 Posts
Christine
Santa Fe
texas
USA
27 Posts |
Posted - Dec 06 2011 : 8:45:27 PM
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Thanks for posting this whole thing really...I don't feel so out of it when I see other sisters who are desperate for routine! I quit my medical job and am enrolled in a distance ed Cert course and doing the house remodel right now. THERE IS NO STRUCTURE OR ROUTINE! I feel like the silly email they pass around making fun of 'Age Activated Attention Deficit" except that I do really have that and an LD (which is what I'm doing the cert in - to work with others like myself)! So, needless to say, I seem to get alot done, but don't know what, its never what I intended or really wanted to, and then forget tons of things, when I KNOW structure helps, but I rebel...So to see someone start SIMPLE is nice. Its atleast become a work in progress. In the next few days, maybe I should report that I will post my attempt at a routine, like Wendy posted (although she's actually DOING it, not attempting! ;-] like myself!) Accountability anyone???Gag. But I know it works. Ha!!
BaileyVille Farm Farmgirl #3624
God is the only cure without sideeffects. Gratitude and Coincidence are His footprints. - CMV; I thank God for my handicaps for, through them, I have found myself, my work, and my God.- HK |
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Violets November
True Blue Farmgirl
342 Posts
Violet
Exeter
California
USA
342 Posts |
Posted - Dec 07 2011 : 5:15:13 PM
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You could set aside some time and use Flylady's schedule and tweak it to fit you own activities.
When I get off track with my own personal "tweaked" schedule, I use her's for a week or so. Gets me back with my own plan.
~Violet~
Farmgirl Sister #1669
My blog, http://hiddenacre.blogspot.com/
Our Organic Jewelry, http://www.etsy.com/shop/GaelicForge |
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star-schipp
True Blue Farmgirl
942 Posts
Starletta
Middletown
Indiana
USA
942 Posts |
Posted - Dec 08 2011 : 04:39:35 AM
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I use Flylady too and it has helped me immensely
If you can't feed one hundred people, then just feed one. -Mother Teresa
Star - farmgirl sister #1927
Master Food Preserver |
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Dec 08 2011 : 07:12:27 AM
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well i have to say i am impressed. you farmgirls sound so organized. when the kids were young i was better at it. NOW i know for sure i will milk a cow. beyond that i am taking care of what is in front of me. i never stop. i like it that way. since the kids are gone i get to do what i want. i really do many days get up now and say " today is your day sherry. what will you do?" for years i lived other folks schedules. like you girls kids moms friends i never even thought about homeschooling the boys. so reading how organized you all are impressed me so much. to add school to the whole day too. farmgirls my hat is off to you. happy scheduling some fun time. sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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Kim L.
True Blue Farmgirl
162 Posts
Kimberly
Knoxville
TN
USA
162 Posts |
Posted - Dec 08 2011 : 08:01:53 AM
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Amy, we homeschool also plus my husband and I both work and have the farm. Being organized is always an issue for us but the FlyLady has helped us out as well. I have had to "tweak" some things from time to time but we couldn't get everything done without it. It has also taught our children how to organize themselves as they have gotten older.
~Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.~
Mother Teresa
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Montrose Girl
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm
1360 Posts
Laurie
Montrose
CO
1360 Posts |
Posted - Dec 08 2011 : 08:58:50 AM
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Oh a schedule! Every time I think I am getting into a routine, my two month old changes it. He'll need attention when I should be cleaning or is eating less at one time so more often (we're working on that) or is over tired and can't settle himself down until I hold him.
Hubby helps a lot so I try to keep laundry done, otherwise it is whatever I can manage.
Life is a constant revolution of time.
Laurie
http://www.inntheorchardbnb.com/ |
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soapmommy60543
True Blue Farmgirl
2197 Posts
Ann
Oswego
IL
USA
2197 Posts |
Posted - Dec 08 2011 : 1:40:15 PM
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Yes, I do laundry every day. I make my kids help me - it's home ec. Read Sidetracked Home Executives by Pam Young and Peggy Jenkins. It will help you immensely.
Wife of terrific hubby and mom to 2 kiddos, 2 bunnies, 2 geriatric goldfish, and the best dog in the world!
Avoid soil depravation and get your dirt on! Start a garden in your own backyard...
Check out my blog: http://www.suburbanprairiehomemaker.com
and follow me on Facebook (Suburban Prairie Homemaker) and Twitter (@sphomemaker)
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Dusky Beauty
True Blue Farmgirl
1108 Posts
Jen
Tonopah
AZ
USA
1108 Posts |
Posted - Dec 08 2011 : 6:36:47 PM
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“My theory on housework is, if the item doesn't multiply, smell, catch fire, or block the refrigerator door, let it be. No one else cares. Why should you?”
#8213; Erma Bombeck
P.S. We always do laundry on weekends because our power company only charges reasonable rates between the hours of 9 pm to 8 am weekdays, and 5 pm friday-8 am monday. Otherwise it costs not double, but triple. Other than that, it's catch as catch can, I have little kids and I realized when the first one was small that if I cleaned the living room at 9 am-- I would clean it again at 11 am, 5 pm, and 10 pm, so I made it household policy that everyone picks up after themselves, and mom only cleans it ONCE right before dad comes home.
It's pretty much in a constant state of barely controlled chaos-- I feel better when I visit other people and its the same there, but I too would benefit from designating an area of the house a day for some deep cleaning like wall scrubbing, mopping, cobwebs, sanitizing etc.
I don't wash outdoor windows in my country home though. That's just sick.
"The greatness of a nation and it's moral progress can be judged by the way it's animals are treated." ~Gandhi
http://silvermoonfarm.blogspot.com/
"After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him. The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut.” ~Will Rogers |
Edited by - Dusky Beauty on Dec 08 2011 6:40:02 PM |
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bvfarm
Farmgirl in Training
27 Posts
Christine
Santa Fe
texas
USA
27 Posts |
Posted - Dec 08 2011 : 9:54:20 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by soapmommy60543
Yes, I do laundry every day. I make my kids help me - it's home ec. Read Sidetracked Home Executives by Pam Young and Peggy Jenkins. It will help you immensely.
Wife of terrific hubby and mom to 2 kiddos, 2 bunnies, 2 geriatric goldfish, and the best dog in the world!
Avoid soil depravation and get your dirt on! Start a garden in your own backyard...
Check out my blog: http://www.suburbanprairiehomemaker.com
and follow me on Facebook (Suburban Prairie Homemaker) and Twitter (@sphomemaker)
Yup, the FLYlady stuff came from her reading that very book and doing stuff with them! Ironic, isn't it?!
So "FLY" is acronym for "Finally Loving Yourself"...wonder if we could come up with an acronym for FARM...hmmm...interesting thought -to tailor it to a similar but slightly different world. I love acronyms or slogans that help me remember important things in life - like "Easy Does it" or First things first, or EGO - Edging God Out, FEAR - False Events Appearing Real...and the list goes on. Something will come to me...
BaileyVille Farm Farmgirl #3624
God is the only cure without sideeffects. Gratitude and Coincidence are His footprints. - CMV; I thank God for my handicaps for, through them, I have found myself, my work, and my God.- HK |
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bvfarm
Farmgirl in Training
27 Posts
Christine
Santa Fe
texas
USA
27 Posts |
Posted - Dec 08 2011 : 10:13:54 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Violets November
You could set aside some time and use Flylady's schedule and tweak it to fit you own activities.
When I get off track with my own personal "tweaked" schedule, I use her's for a week or so. Gets me back with my own plan.
~Violet~
Farmgirl Sister #1669
My blog, http://hiddenacre.blogspot.com/
Our Organic Jewelry, http://www.etsy.com/shop/GaelicForge
You know, Violet, I did FLYlady a few years ago. There were tons of things that it helped me with. I might actually peruse her site again - I just need to remind myself (out loud on here anyway), before I do, that 'it doesn't have to look exactly like hers' and 'I DONT need to add in all of those things that she does when I could care less about them' - like what was said about washing windows. I'm right there with you! That's one of those chores that for some reason is like the straw that broke the camels back. Soooo...that being said...after meeting with my lovely Spiritual Director & mentor today, I know what I really need to do is let go of trying to control "all of it" - God has given me tons of skills to use in this department and I've been telling Him, "NO, I've got it! Leave me alone on this!"...Knowing darn well that its not a strength of mine and then being furious when I look at my botched efforts at routine. AND, when I get out of the way, He fixes it up just fine and it just comes easier and I quit tripping over myself. That is an understatement that I am my own worst enemy when it comes to routine. When I'm in a heightened state of anxiety or being overwhelmed, you might as well forget clear thought to sort out time or a routine! I waste more time in that paralysis by analysis spot! So...ugh...yeah, letting go ....claw marks ...rebellion... phooey. I like the idea of starting fresh tomorrow. That's exciting - clean slate. Sprinkling it with a few of FLYlady's general principles maybe what I need. We shall see! Oh, another thing in this area that helps me on & off is SHED by Julie Morgenstern...more in depth, slightly diff approach, but helps with idea that less you have to take care of the more time you have, etc. Was perfect for me right before moving!
BaileyVille Farm Farmgirl #3624
God is the only cure without sideeffects. Gratitude and Coincidence are His footprints. - CMV; I thank God for my handicaps for, through them, I have found myself, my work, and my God.- HK |
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MrsRooster
True Blue Farmgirl
1168 Posts
Amy
Seabrook
TX
USA
1168 Posts |
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Across the Fence: OK I need a routine. |
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OK I need a routine.
