OK, I am struggling with this one. In 2004, a good friend bought me the book, "Managers of their Home" and I had every intention of implimenting it. God placed it upon my heart that I needed a schedule and this was a perfect resource to get me started.
I want to schedule but most of the time we can get things done without a time managed daily schedule. We can study the bible, do our chores and school work, then enjoy the rest of the day. So, what's the big deal with scheduling? Why do I struggle with it and think we need it? Our days go fine without a schedule. Why is there this internal fight with schedule vs. just get the work done? I have no idea. Maybe one of my readers can enlighten me.
What I DO need is better time management. I also need better school planning and record keeping. My problem is I schedule things and then we either don't follow it or we fall behind. I need to make a plan and stick to it! I am just too flexible. Or, as one high school English teacher labeled me, "Miss Inconsistent." If one day we don't get something done, then I just add it to another day or we don't do it at all. Then we really get behind. Since we do school all year long, I keep thinking, "Oh, it'll get done. I'm not worried about it." I have bought more curriculum that I thought I needed, only for it to sit on the shelf and not be used.
But, I think I need to start "worrying" about it. Erin is going into 8th grade which means I need to begin to look at what requirements are for the state of Mississippi for her to graduate. I am hoping that with the kids taking these classes at L.I.F.E. it will help. Erin is taking a writing class. She and I both need that one. I cannot figure out how to grade her work so I am hoping this class will help her with the writing and somehow I can get some pointers on how to best grade her papers.
Caleb is taking a zoology class. He doesn't remember the Co-op I ran while we lived in Memphis and he is a little nervous about being in a classroom setting. I think he's afraid someone will find out he can't read or write well. I am going to talk to his teacher so that we can avoid any embarassing moments.
How do you manage your school day(s)? How do you manage your time? Do you wake early to spend time with the Lord? Do you have days you only do certain subjects? What if your days are different because you have different places to go? I welcome your comments.
Hey Michelle, Several years ago, my family actually went to a conference led by the woman that wrote the book, "Managers of their Homes". I was gungho and spent hours trying to arrange the schedule according to the book. However, I had several red flags when we actually heard the wife speak. She had a very dull, joyless countenance. She spoke of how she had struggled with depression. Her husband spoke of how he used to love to fly planes, but he had given it up to spend all his time with his wife. They spoke of how they thought they should have no outside friends. I thought of how my husband likes to spend time in the woods on our land hunting in the winter. It has been a good time for him just to sit and unwind and pray. He has taken our sons with him from the time they were small. However, sometimes he just sits out there alone. I would never feel that he would have to give that up for me. It is a perfect time for him to be alone with God. And regarding their idea about no outside friends, of course we have to be careful about who we align ourselves with, but to cut ourselves off from any outside friends would not even be biblical. Jesus had friends didn't he? He said there was no greater love than that which we lay down for our friends. I also know of a friend that tried to receive counsel from the author and she had to call back several days later, "when it would fit into the schedule". I finally just through it out. I decided that I could give my day to the LORD and let Him decide if and who I would minister to that day. And if someone in need called me, I would not turn them away until it could fit into a more convenient time in my schedule. The family made some very fine points and seemed to be doing some good things with their children, but overall, I had some questions.
ReplyDeleteI too went to one of their conferences. And many of the same things were spoken regarding the sheltering of our children. I am very outgoing and LOVE to be around people. My daughter is the same way. I want to use that for the Glory of Lord Jesus Christ and proclaim His word. I do not intend to shelter my children from everything but to discern who, what, where, and how they will be sheltered. I believe we are teaching our children to discern as well and they will need to learn to make the "right" decisions. If we shelter them too much they will not know how to do that, in my humble opinion. Thanks for your comments, Anonymous.
ReplyDelete