21 Comments
User's avatar
Mollie Donghia's avatar

Thanks! Nothing wrong with disliking a "list" of things to do, whatever works best for you personally is the way to go! And you're right, I think these habits can be applicable to any season of life (pre or post child rearing too) as they're grounding and allow you to slow down a bit and focus on what matters. Thanks for reading!

Expand full comment
The Becoming's avatar

Bravo. I did not have social media or people to compare notes with like you all do when I home schooled... but I also didn't have to deal with cell phones and ipads and netflix and streaming insanity... not a child of mine recieved a phone before they were 13 and none of them were smart phones... so I'm grateful for that

But wow...I love this list. It is EXACTLY the list of rhythms and habits that I created in our home school. The main difference is that I was never and am still NOT a morning person so that rhythm was a hard fought one and only done with GREAT difficulty EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.

BUT... it was so important and so fruitful I did it... every day.

Love this so much and love that you all have each other to share these things!

Expand full comment
Mollie Donghia's avatar

Thank you! I admire the previous generation of homeschool moms for those exact reasons…you all paved the unknown path while many thought it was an “odd” lifestyle, and without a large body of homeschool communities for support.

Not all my daily habits go seamlessly from one season to the next but I’ve learned to love staying at home with my kids largely due to these consistent rhythms!

Expand full comment
The Becoming's avatar

Nothing ever goes seemlessly and consistently. That's one thing that this generation needs to make sure you work on believing and knowing. The culture of podcasts and insta and all the false lives portrayed living without any wrinkles... no such thing. But yes! Being home with your kids is what you were made to be and do. It isn't supposed to be easy and you aren't supposed to know what to do in any situation you've never been in before. But being in it together and learning about each other, and about strengths and weakness and forgiveness and joy in the chaos and mess and mistakes and just plain bad days... this is the gold

Expand full comment
Mollie Donghia's avatar

So true, which is why I've pretty much given up on all social media, besides writing on Substack. IG is not a source of joy for me anymore and there's no room for those feelings in this lifestyle. Thank you for sharing such great wisdom from years of experience! I appreciate it : )

Expand full comment
Fadilah's avatar

This is lovely stuff, thank you for sharing 💐

Expand full comment
Mollie Donghia's avatar

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed reading it!

Expand full comment
Lisa Gauffin Dahlin's avatar

Wow! 🌸 Even though I don’t homeschool (we’re not allowed to here in Sweden...), so many of your rhythms still resonate with me.

I especially love the practice of gratitude. Every evening my daughter and I lie down together as part of her night routine and share what we’re most thankful for from the day. It’s such a simple thing, but it changes the atmosphere completely.

Thank you for sharing all this amazing advice. I look forward to reading more from you!

Expand full comment
Mollie Donghia's avatar

That’s a great gratitude habit for you and your daughter! I’m sure that’s making such a meaningful difference for both of you. Glad to have you following along!

Expand full comment
Haylee Gernert's avatar

LOVED this. I do a few and will start doing a few! Thank you for writing

Expand full comment
Mollie Donghia's avatar

That’s great! It’s taken years of practice to get me to the point of motherhood where I am today, so even doing a few daily rhythms well is so healthy : )

Expand full comment
mallory whitman's avatar

i love this ♥️ i’ve been meal planning a month at a time too! it’s been a total game changer. i implemented your gratitude journal at the end of the summer with our kids and it’s such a gift to hear what they are grateful to God for each morning…i’ve been missing out on that little piece of their hearts all these years so THANKS 😊

you have encouraged and inspired me to shake things up. my 8 and 6 year old boys do “quiet time” together (listen to an audiobook and lego build) while the littles nap…but maybe we should alternate with some separate independent reading quiet times?? everyone needs a break!! (and a book!)

Expand full comment
Mollie Donghia's avatar

That’s awesome! I love that you’ve already implemented habits like the gratitude journal and quiet time. Glad they’re going so well for you! And yes, meal planning…I think I like meal planning a month in advance!

Expand full comment
My First Lemonade Stand's avatar

I love how you touched on daily chores not being perfection. It's not that I want a perfectly clean house, I just want to know that things are put away after they are used. Thats how it should be! It teaches kids to have that skill much later on in life.

Expand full comment
Mollie Donghia's avatar

Yes definitely a priority I’m teaching my kids! They are far from tidy lol, but teaching them to be responsible is a great start. Thanks for reading!

Expand full comment
Joy + Chaos's avatar

I love this post, Mollie! Our homeschool life has many similarities. I definitely need to prioritize waking up before the kids though, it’s so hard when you’re being woken up from a teething toddler every night, but having that space makes a big difference. I would love to implement the daily gratitude on journal form. We talk about our rose, thorn and bud at dinner which is similar, but the act of writing it down would be beneficial. Finally, I love having specific hours for quiet time. I usually just do an hour, but 2-4 sounds perfect. Especially to focus on reading, writing and resting instead of being productive. Love all of this! Thanks for sharing! And congrats on another addition to your family!

Expand full comment
Mollie Donghia's avatar

Thanks!! Waking up before kids isn’t always feasible, totally understandable in a season of babes waking you at night! But even if I’m up for 30 minutes before my kids it helps me so much. I love your intentional gratitude practice, journaling it gives us the opportunity to look back and see how the Lord has been faithful over the past months/years.

Expand full comment
Brooke Z's avatar

The peace in this post is evident as you have implemented these habits into your lives over the years. You’re a great mom, Mollie! And, I’m so excited to hear your good news of a baby coming next spring! Congratulations! ♥️

Expand full comment
Mollie Donghia's avatar

Thanks Brooke! I actually didn't enjoy being a SAHM the first year after leaving my teaching role and it wasn't until I implemented better daily habits that I came to love the role! And thank you, we are all excited for one final addition : )

Expand full comment
Rachel Wildavsky's avatar

These are all good, and I write as one who hates all such lists. Also, my kids are all grown, and I still think these have merit, even in the post-child-rearing life. Thanks for posting, and keep it up!

Expand full comment
Backyard Blossoms's avatar

One daily habit I am trying to embrace this year is taking a “break” each day. Right now letting my family know I’m taking 15 minutes. It has made of world of difference and has taught my kids a little more patience and problem solving.

Expand full comment