Since becoming a wife, then a mother a few years later, I’ve felt as if caring for a home and raising little kids can be constant balancing of healthy habits and rhythms.
I'm going to try some of these-- thanks for the tips! I have 7 kids (11 and under) and I'm always looking for more ideas on how to simplify our homeschool weeks. Hot breakfasts on Saturdays, but simple the other days...maybe I'll try this! And I like the idea of my big kids taking on more with their younger siblings.
Yes any small or big changes can carry a large effect! I'm always looking for ways to simplify our homeschool rhythms too, so I'll keep sharing the ones that work for us! I hope some of these changes work well for your family : )
I like routines a lot, we've incorporated many of our own and I think I will definitely steal the shoe bin idea (right now we have a rack that, realistically, never has shoes on it). However we have a small kitchen and kids making breakfasts (ages 5, 8, and 9) seems like it would be chaos and the meal would just never end. How do you manage it?
And the weekday screen time. I hate it but after school all morning, lunch, then library/extracurriculars, I need a break before going into the dinner/bedtime fray. We live in an apartment and don't have a backyard I can send them out to. Any ideas for low-Mom-involvement afternoons that aren't TV?
Yes our shoe bin has been a big game changer for us! For weekday screen time, don’t feel bad about it…we’ve definitely gone through seasons where I felt that it was more helpful. My kids also love listening to audio books and doing art work which keeps them busy if I’m trying to get dinner ready.
I love this. Especially number 8. My sister is a stepmom to 3 and she says lotion, deodorant, spray before school. Reminded me of your PJs, potty, teeth lol
Your routines and expectations are similar to mine! Instead of magic numbers, we use a cleanup song that blasts while they do a quick cleanup. (William Tell Overture - Lone Ranger!) the goal is to finish before the song ends :)
Thanks! That’s great that you’re already thinking of ways to put rhythms into your day! I wish I would have began when my youngest was a baby so it’s never too soon!
I just stumbled upon your substack as a mom of two who is about to start homeschooling my 4 year old. Mostly for similar reasons and with similar intentions as you! I’ve been reading through your posts and they’re such a blessing!
I smiled at the "PJs, potty, teeth" one--we had a similar routine (potty, jammies, teeth, drink, pill (vitamin)) growing up that we would happily chant with Mom when starting the bedtime routine. :)
Also, my husband grew up with something similar to the "magic number" but instead of a single number, every kid put away "their age" (i.e. a 10 year old puts away 10 things while a 3 year old just puts away 3). It might not be as effective on the messier days, but for quick tidying I love the idea!
Also a mother of four (10, 8, 6, 3) and we also say “PJs, potty, teeth” haha. I thought I made up that phrase!
This was a fun read - we are similar in many ways but I have been holding out on them making their own breakfasts. You have given me the push I need to start this!
Thats so funny, our bedtime mantra must be a good one! I’ve felt that given them more responsibility, like making their own breakfast, allows them to gain in independence in small ways…my daughter (10) has grown tremendously in this area and I really think it’s because we push them in small ways and it just builds. I hope it’s a good rhythm for you too! Thanks for reading!
I love this! My kids now fold their own laundry and put it away and my daughter (almost 7) folds all the communal laundry (towels, napkins, etc) and it has been SUCH a help around the house!!!
Yes give it a try! I just evaluate the area that needs tidying and throw out a number. If they reach that number and it still needs more work, I give them an additional number ; ) I’m still surprised that it works as well as it does!
I'm going to try some of these-- thanks for the tips! I have 7 kids (11 and under) and I'm always looking for more ideas on how to simplify our homeschool weeks. Hot breakfasts on Saturdays, but simple the other days...maybe I'll try this! And I like the idea of my big kids taking on more with their younger siblings.
Yes any small or big changes can carry a large effect! I'm always looking for ways to simplify our homeschool rhythms too, so I'll keep sharing the ones that work for us! I hope some of these changes work well for your family : )
I like routines a lot, we've incorporated many of our own and I think I will definitely steal the shoe bin idea (right now we have a rack that, realistically, never has shoes on it). However we have a small kitchen and kids making breakfasts (ages 5, 8, and 9) seems like it would be chaos and the meal would just never end. How do you manage it?
And the weekday screen time. I hate it but after school all morning, lunch, then library/extracurriculars, I need a break before going into the dinner/bedtime fray. We live in an apartment and don't have a backyard I can send them out to. Any ideas for low-Mom-involvement afternoons that aren't TV?
Yes our shoe bin has been a big game changer for us! For weekday screen time, don’t feel bad about it…we’ve definitely gone through seasons where I felt that it was more helpful. My kids also love listening to audio books and doing art work which keeps them busy if I’m trying to get dinner ready.
I love this. Especially number 8. My sister is a stepmom to 3 and she says lotion, deodorant, spray before school. Reminded me of your PJs, potty, teeth lol
Your routines and expectations are similar to mine! Instead of magic numbers, we use a cleanup song that blasts while they do a quick cleanup. (William Tell Overture - Lone Ranger!) the goal is to finish before the song ends :)
Yes that’s a great simple routine for cleanup!
I love all of these routines! I just have a nine month old but I look forward to putting them in practice!!
Thanks! That’s great that you’re already thinking of ways to put rhythms into your day! I wish I would have began when my youngest was a baby so it’s never too soon!
I just stumbled upon your substack as a mom of two who is about to start homeschooling my 4 year old. Mostly for similar reasons and with similar intentions as you! I’ve been reading through your posts and they’re such a blessing!
So glad to hear, Alex! That’s my goal on here, to be a source of encouragement for mamas : ) What an exciting journey to begin homeschooling soon!
I smiled at the "PJs, potty, teeth" one--we had a similar routine (potty, jammies, teeth, drink, pill (vitamin)) growing up that we would happily chant with Mom when starting the bedtime routine. :)
Also, my husband grew up with something similar to the "magic number" but instead of a single number, every kid put away "their age" (i.e. a 10 year old puts away 10 things while a 3 year old just puts away 3). It might not be as effective on the messier days, but for quick tidying I love the idea!
Yes bedtime and clean up routines can look and sound differently but still be super effective!
Also a mother of four (10, 8, 6, 3) and we also say “PJs, potty, teeth” haha. I thought I made up that phrase!
This was a fun read - we are similar in many ways but I have been holding out on them making their own breakfasts. You have given me the push I need to start this!
Thats so funny, our bedtime mantra must be a good one! I’ve felt that given them more responsibility, like making their own breakfast, allows them to gain in independence in small ways…my daughter (10) has grown tremendously in this area and I really think it’s because we push them in small ways and it just builds. I hope it’s a good rhythm for you too! Thanks for reading!
I love this! My kids now fold their own laundry and put it away and my daughter (almost 7) folds all the communal laundry (towels, napkins, etc) and it has been SUCH a help around the house!!!
Yes laundry folding is such a good job for kids to learn! Saves me so much time too!
Thank you for this! These are easy ways to really make the school year so much more simple!
Sure! Glad it was helpful! I’m always looking for ways to simplify life at home!
I love so many of these and the simplicity of them! Can’t wait to try the 50 item clean up :)
Yes give it a try! I just evaluate the area that needs tidying and throw out a number. If they reach that number and it still needs more work, I give them an additional number ; ) I’m still surprised that it works as well as it does!
Yes another important motto to get kids to do important things!