Monday, August 27, 2012

Not Back to School Blog Hop Week 4

This is the last week of the "Not" Back to School Blog Hop and the theme is A Day in the Life.  So,  let's take a glimpse into our daily routine.  First,  let me just say that in no way can I be held to this routine, because on any given day,  I have many variables that can throw a wrench into my plans (and often do). We pretty much school year round.  We take various breaks through out the year for holidays,  vacations,  and just some days off!!

Wake-up is usually somewhere between 7:30 and 8:00.  If they aren't up by 8:00,  I go in!!!  Then,  they have an hour to relax,  eat breakfast,  watch a bit of tv,  get dressed,  brush teeth and comb hair. 

We try to start our school day at 9:00am!!  We start with Bible time and prayer, then the schedule is varied for each individual child.  My oldest is doing his school work on the computer,  so he is free to stay in the class or take the laptop to his room.  I just have to keep an eye and make sure he is working and not surfing!!  He has in the past had a little problem with "listening" to the lesson on the  computer, but checking out facebook and other things in another window.  I think I have fixed the problem,  but time will tell, and so will his grades!!!  I can just tell you now that if he is caught repeating this sort of behavior,  he is in BIG trouble!!!

The other three older kids start with handwriting, spelling, and reading.  These subjects they can do without any instruction and allows me to work with Mini-Me for a little while.  Then,  when I get Mini-Me squared away and working on multiple worksheets,  I do Science and History with the older girls while,  Mr Gamer does Math on the computer.  After that round,  we take a little break, get a little snack,  and do a few chores around the house. The chores usually involve laundry, dishes, and trash!!! 

Once back from a break,  Princess 1 does some math on the computer with A Teaching Textbook and Princess 2 gets started on English.  After a little instruction,  both of the Princesses can work on their own while Mr Gamer and I do his English, Science and History.  Then, the Princesses switch and I believe that covers it!!

Now,  here's my disclaimer!!  I also have a 16 month old running around in the midst of all of this. That means that sometimes our break goes long, I have to stop and change a stinky diaper,  there are froot loops dumped all over the floor,  or any number of things can happen. 

We do try our best to have everything done by 1pm,  but more often than not,  we are finishing stuff up after lunch.  After their school work is finished,  they have some chores they have to do, then they are free until time to eat.   Our evenings are currently spent running to football practice on Mon, Tues, and Thur,  church on Wed,  and Friday is usually a church activity or something else. I've said it before,  and I'll say it again, "There just aren't enough hours in the day!!". 




3 comments:

  1. Jennifer...I read in your profile that you are a nurse too. That's what I do, and I work the weekend night shift (usually) to be available to my chilies during school hours.... it's a hard thing God has called us to, but keep up the good work!

    Kristy

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    1. I worked the weekend night shift for MANY years. I just recently switched to days though (much better sleep wise). I will say though that sometimes I just felt "give out", school through the week and work on the weekends. No break! But, I wouldn't change anything because it has allowed me so much more time with my children. Will keep you in my prayers as I know what a tough schedule you keep!!

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  2. My goal is to always get school started by 9:00, but babies do throw a wrench into our plans - don't they! It's teaching me to be flexible though and to realize that I need to be more relaxed on my expectations for what I think our day needs to look like.

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