Brenda,
In regards to all the information you’re gathering, what I found helpful was to set up a binder with tabs and I keep each subject organized separately. I make sure to keep lined note paper in each section to write relevant information. It’s so much easier to find things this way. My children all know where to find “My Charlotte Mason Binder” when I need someone to get it for me. 🙂
Two things I am finding that really make a difference are: to have a schedule and as Cindy mentioned,to work on one thing at a time. Not a schedule to rule our day, but a schedule to put order in our day. Just be sure to tackle one thing at a time. I went from no schedule to a full one and that in itself can be overwhelming. As an example: try family prayer at 9:00 for a week, then keep up with that along with adding read aloud time at 10:30 for a week, then keep these two and add a third in of nap/quiet time at 1:00 p.m. for a week, and before you know it, your day will have some much welcomed routine to it. I can’t express enough how much my children prefer to be on a schedule. It really affects them if there is no structure – discipline becomes a dominating factor because they don’t know what to do with themselves.
In regards to the housework, what I have found best is to schedule your chores. Figure out what you would like done throughout the week and when the best time is to schedule each chore and focus only on those chores for that particular day. Anything else that seems out of place can wait until its scheduled day – FREE your mind from it. As an example: On Monday, I balance the checkbook, clean the bathroom and make sure the mirrors and TV screen is free and clear of finger prints. On Tuesday – vacuuming, dusting one of the rooms (each room has its assigned day), and cleaning the windows are scheduled. On Wednesday (we have a lighter school day) we clean bathroom, de-web, clean garbage cans, take garbage out, change bedsheets, and do laundry. And on goes the week with its scheduled daily chores. I don’t do ALL of this, each family member helps out (those that can). I even have a monthly and yearly chore schedule for those things that need less frequent attention. This relieves the mind from having to think of all that needs to be done. Only figure the “must’s” for chores. The wish list can wait, your sense of peace should not.
How silly of me, I should just tell you how I learned to do things like this. There’s a gem of a book out there (no longer in print, but you can still find it) by Denise Schofield titled ‘Confessions of an Organized Homemaker’. This book, along with another she has, titled ‘Springing the Time Trap’ have made a huge diffence in my life. You can most likely find them at your local library. Be aware – ONE THING AT A TIME. She has so many wonderful ideas that are manageable but only if you try changing one thing at a time.
One last thing, insist on down time every day because us moms NEED it. Even when they get to the age that they are not napping regularly, we still have rest time. They must be in their bed resting their body. My four year old only needs a nap every other day, so he gets to “read” quietly the other days on his bed. Everyone knows this is ‘quiet time’. (I have a 2yo, 4yo, 7yo, and 9yo.) Now don’t be tempted to do your chores at this time because it is ‘quiet time’ and that means for you too. 🙂 Our mind and body need a break – put your feet up and relax.
O.k, I’m sorry. I only meant to share about my CM binder and suddenly everything comes pouring out. I’ll be praying for you. You are not alone.
Cindy, I personally thank you for your wisdom! Thank you for sharing – you always keep things in line with Truth. God’s continued blessings upon you!
Rebecca 🙂
