• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

See Jamie blog.

  • about
  • homeschool
  • adoption
  • {subscribe}

Homeschool Routine: It starts with Me

14 February, 2014; Filed Under: homeschool

Remember that elusive routine I’ve been trying to capture? We’re making progress, but mostly because I’ve changed my focus. {Hint: it’s not about the kids.}

My focus: Me.

Mama sets the tone of the homeschool

Turns out I’m the one who needs a routine. Though it’s clear the kids all do better with a loose routine, it’s me who gets the most off kilter without it. I mentioned how I’ve realized I’m “sensitive,” and the events of the past year (not the least of which was adding two active, noise-producing little people to the family) have highlighted this. Right now I’m working on mornings, because when my mornings go well, the rest of my day goes far better. And when my days go better, the tone of our home is generally more pleasant.

A good morning:

  • Get up without hitting snooze more than once
  • Exercise
  • Shower
  • Make tea
  • Bible reading (little kids get up but play quietly til breakfast)
  • Wake Kathryn with hot tea or cider
  • Make breakfast

Sounds simple enough, but getting that part right gets everyone off to a good start. The rest of the day is slowly developing a rhythm, and I will gradually add in specific things I want to do as a family and with the kids individually. But if I try to do All The Things, I get overwhelmed and turn it into None of The Things. For the past two weeks I’ve made good progress on my morning goals, so next week I’ll add one more thing to the routine.

“If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.”

Sadly, that old saying is true. But the opposite tends to be true, too. I’ve realized that I — the Mama — am the key to establishing not just the rhythm/routine of our home, but the overall feel of our home. Over the past couple of months, I’ve spent time analyzing what is and isn’t working in our homeschool, and been doing some reading on the subject, too. I’ll be sharing more on that in coming posts.

For now, a few highlights from the past couple of weeks…

Mitzvah, Snow, and Birthday Dog!

bat mitzvah

Two weeks ago, at Kathryn’s messianic bat mitzvah, I watched her lead shabbat service and read/chant Hebrew from a 200+ year old hand-written Torah scroll that survived the holocaust in the Ukraine. This was the culmination of two years of preparation and study. Her dad and family attend there, and this was a combined service and celebration with her stepbrother and stepsister, who also did a wonderful job! I don’t fully understand all of this, but I ask questions and she teaches me.

snowy playset

We had more snow! This time around, it was mostly ice with a layer of fluffy snow on top. On the rare occasions we have ice storms, they can be very bad, with many trees and power lines down, and hundreds of thousands of folks without power. It wasn’t nearly as bad as it could’ve been and thankfully, we never lost power. Ice isn’t as much fun to play in as snow, but before temps rose and began the thaw, the kids played in it and built a snowman. It was not as frigid as when it snowed a few weeks ago, so the kids (and Ken!) were able to play outside longer and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Also: today our Lacy the WonderDog turns seven! Another small member of the family has an upcoming birthday as well. Too bad cupcakes (particularly chocolate ones) are bad for dogs or we’d let her in on the celebratory goodies!

Georgia snowman kids

I’ve been doing all kinds of sewing projects lately: making curtains for the living room, and a headboard and bed skirt for the master bedroom. Creative outlets help my sanity and make me nicer. 😉 Kathryn has already learned some basic crochet and she’s going to help me learn, too!

If you missed Wednesday’s post, it’s about an awkward but necessary parenting topic, and I hope you’ll read my friend Barrett’s guest post on the subject!

–> I’ll be linking up with Kris and Mary, and Carlie!

Jamie

Wife, mom, grandma. Introvert who finds joy in good books, sunshine, and authentic conversation. Fitness enthusiast and personal trainer. Often seen with a steaming mug of tea in hand.

Share

Related Posts:

  • Homeschool Plans 2020/21
    Homeschool Plans 2020/21
  • Meet our homeschool crew
    Meet our homeschool crew
  • NC Maritime Museum: homeschool field trip
    NC Maritime Museum: homeschool field trip
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

guest

9 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Mary
Mary
14 February, 2014 8:23 am

YES. Mom does set the tone of the homeschool. You are very wise.

What a nice picture of you and Kathryn. Such pretty ladies!

Reply
Rebecca
Rebecca
14 February, 2014 8:43 am

I have that issue too. The children do fine–routine or not. I go crazy if we don’t have a loose routine!

Reply
Stef Layton
Stef Layton
14 February, 2014 9:18 am

I love this – so true about setting the tone! And if my morning feels scattered and frantically trying to catch up everyone is just … off!

wise words beautiful lady! Loving your photos!!

Reply
Tonia
Tonia
14 February, 2014 2:28 pm

Our days go so much more smoothly when I hold to a routine. Getting up a bit earlier and getting what I need done helps me stay on track.

Reply
Kris @ Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers
Kris @ Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers
14 February, 2014 4:17 pm

{sigh} I need to be more diligent with my routine, too. Congrats to Kathryn and Happy Birthday to my favorite dog that doesn’t live with me! 🙂

Reply
Mary
Mary
15 February, 2014 10:47 am

I totally agree that moms set the tone. I need to be more diligent and aware of the mood I set when we start our day. Great post.

Reply
Machelle
Machelle
24 February, 2014 8:43 am

Mornings and routines are in constant adjustment in our home as we learn what works and what doesn’t. But it’s true, I am the one who needs this the most : )

Reply
Whitney
Whitney
26 February, 2014 12:50 pm

Thank you for sharing this, Jamie. It is so true. My little ones have been home for almost 10 months and I am only just now relearning my morning routine. It makes all the difference.

Reply
aamna@thenomadicfamily
aamna@thenomadicfamily
9 March, 2014 11:09 am

You are absolutely right Jamie. your post is simply wonderful and helpful. specifically the morning routine you shared. it does make a difference. thanks for the post 🙂

Reply


Copyright ©2010-2021 See Jamie Blog. | All rights reserved. | See policies.
Use of original text or photos without permission is a violation of copyright.
wpDiscuz