School before breakfast- scheduling insight

Sara,

I just sent a pm. I think this is dependent upon many factors:

1. Are they morning people?

2. Do you like to eat all together? If so, when do you want that to be? Does Dad eat with you? Is there a time that needs to meet his schedule?

3. If you don’t eat together, can they get their own breakfast?

4. Can they do quality work, cheerfully before eating? Stomachs are unique, too.

5. Are they independent in their work with direct supervision? In other words, can they follow a list and do it well alone while you’re nearby? Without dawdling?

Once you answer those questions, you can determine what work, if anything, can be done independently before breakfast. I know some kids or adults don’t think well before eating. It wouldn’t be prudent in those cases. If work before breakfast isn’t a problem and the other questions are addressed in accordance with your entire family’s needs, it can be a very good situation as it is in our home.

Blessings,

Christie

I think that many children do need extra sleep.  But it’s important to recognize if they are sleeping later because they are going to bed too late or because they are growing or especially active the previous day.  My younger ds is still an early riser.  This morning he was up at 6:20.  He had most of his independant school work done before I left for the office at 8:45 (right now dad doesn’t head to work until I get home at lunch time on Mondays).  The older ds (sleeping later due to growth and the start of puberty as well as all the activiy and fresh air) usually needs to be dragged out of bed around 8am, but was also up around 7:30 am today.  He also had most of his work done before I left.  They ate a like breakfast while listening to me read from the Bible and doing their math.  They really only had some reading left for independant work, a few little chores, and then they had free time for the rest of the morning(my older son spent a good chunk of that voluntarily mowing an elderly neighbours sizeable lawn much to my very happy surprise) until I got home to finish guided and do family work, which took about an hour and 15 mins when you subtract the time it took them to wash the lunch dishes.  This kind of day works brilliantly for us, but often we are too rushed in the morning if they sleep later.  I’m not a morning person myself.  I keep thinking I need to start drinking coffee — that might help. 

The jr high kids here have to be on the bus at 6:55 am, so they are leaving home even earlier.  The 11 yo girl next-door is getting up at 5:30.  Studies the school board have done show these kids aren’t even really fully awake before 11 am, and by then more than half their classes are over.   Most of these kids also stay up until 10 or 11 pm (or later). I am so glad I’m not trying to drag my 11 yo out of bed that early! 

Our 7 yo’s bedtime is 8pm with 8:30 lights out.  Our 11 yo is usually in bed reading by 8 (though he’s not required to be in bed until 8:30) with lights out at 9pm. 

5 AM – No!!! Followed by    to describe me if I had to get up at 5 AM. 

I don’t drink coffee either. Is that the secret to being a morning person that looks like this  at 5 AM? 

Christie

Some days I am up at 6 or 7 am. Lately I have noticed I have been sleeping in till 8am… Hmmm? 5am a few times but not on a regular basis and not with coffee. It makes my legs hurt….. I did do a little Yerba Mate Tea ( The Coffee of Argentina! ) It has better properties than Green Tea… However, I wouldn’t drink it on a regular basis because I try to stay away from caffine. I found it takes away vital nutrients from my body and I am wishing I stayed away from the stuff.   I just don’t feel I get enough benefits from things like coffee and tea and my body will have to pay for it later? Just sayin’ this is my problem with Teas and Coffees. Oh, I also do Agave Nectar or honey… I have been drinking more Olive Leaf tea. It is more beneficial and it tastes great without sweetener plus no caffine…

  My kids are usually up before 8am but I don’t let them sleep in because the day just seems to drag on. Breakfast is a must for my dd 5. She feeds and waters the dog and then she wants her food ASAP. I did have the boys doing that but then they would meandor around to do the chores. So, they do their chores before breakfast and then it is school.

   I am glad I am not sending them to public school because I would have to get up at 6 am every morning! UGH! that is what I would look like at 6am!  I hear the bus go by @ 6:40 and thank my lucky stars I don’t have to get up and get the kids ready every morning. 🙂  Am I ever glad!