Our gracious and helpful teacher once said to me: “Make a peaceful home where learning happens.” That has become our motto and guiding principle in our home and school. It has allowed us to develop a basic routine that includes meals, house chores, school work, visiting people, and family activities while remaining flexible to other things as needed to ‘keep the peace’. This includes children finishing their classes early or skipping them to play games, play in the snow, have a nap, do extra chores, or the times when we all go on a field trip or have a day off. It took a while for this routine of being on schedule (or being ok with being flexible) to become ‘easy’, because of life circumstances and other difficulties, and just the time it takes to make new habits. I would suggest starting where it is easy for you already, and changing things as needed to fit your situation. As things become familiar and easy, you can add in something else. However, no one needs to have the same schedule; this is just an example. The main thing is that you have a general routine that works for your family, so that you can get work and chores done, and have time for fun and flexibility as well. There have been times for us where this schedule has happened only twice a week, or half of it happened four times a week, and that is fine. It often still doesn’t happen this way, but it remains a guideline, a goal, and an inspiration. If we are more or less on track, then I feel happy and successful.
- 6:20
- Wake up. Shower, morning devotions, get breakfast ready.
- 7:00
- Breakfast, morning hymns or quiet music, conversation.
- Kids clear the table, get dressed, and make their beds.
- Kids play together while I finish getting ready or doing other morning chores.
- Morning prayer together.
- 8:20
- First class: English Language Arts: reading, writing, spelling, grammar.
- 9:20
- Second class: Social Studies or Art.
- 10:20
- Morning recess: free play, puzzles, quiet reading, going outside.
- Get lunch ready.
- 11:00
- Lunch.
- Kids clear the table, empty and load the dishwasher, and sweep the floor.
- Kids sort and fold any laundry.
- I finish tidying up and any other mid-day chores.
- 12:00
- Quiet reading or playing outside.
- Little kids have naps or quiet play time.
- 1:20
- Third Class: Mathematics.
- 2:20
- Fourth Class: Science
- 3:20
- Afternoon recess, snack, and tea.
- Visit someone, play outside, or go to a park.
- Free time, or cartoon time.
- 4:00
- Get supper ready and do any other kitchen chores.
- Kids empty the dishwasher and set the table.
- Kids play outside or in their rooms, or read quietly.
- 5:00
- Supper.
- Kids clear the table, load the dishwasher, and sweep the floor.
- I finish tidying up and any other evening chores.
- 6:00
- Swimming lessons, Girl Guides, family activities inside or outside, evening walk or swim, game night, movie night, get ready for bed, bedtime stories.
- 7:20
- Bedtime prayer, lights out.