Step 7: Seize the Day
Lately, my house has been all crazy and out of whack. I am having health issues and have had for 14 months now. Then my dad has been having back problems. My mother is weak from previously having cancer. Then my husband is gone due to training for the Army. Whew! So the kids are having a hard time adjusting. My 4 year old especially, he has been having a lot and I mean A LOT of behavior problems. So today is learning how to seize the good days. Also how to get your family into a schedule to make more good days than bad.
Day 7: Making a Schedule
When we read about the Proverbs woman she rises early and takes care of her family. She also utilizes what she has and so on. Today lets look at how to make a schedule that works for you. First I want you to think at how your days usually run now. Write it down. Look at when you wake up, when you eat breakfast, lunch, dinner. Look at when children nap. When you prepare dinner, etc. Let me show you how my day USED to look before we implemented our first schedule.
10am-Me and my oldest woke up(while pregnant with #2)
12ish-130ish We ate lunch
130-230 He went down for his nap and woke up about two hours later
4-530 I would start getting dinner ready
We would eat whenever daddy got home. Then we would sit and watch tv and then my son went down for bedtime about 9pm. Yes, my son would sleep in late with me. Most of you would say I was lucky. If you notice I did not mention any cleaning time, activity time, or learning time. That’s because I didn’t have any. We watched tv while I was on the computer or sleeping some more. I think I was depressed as well as lazy. I had no idea how to be a decent mother and wife let alone a Godly Wife such as the proverbs 31 woman. I am still not close at all. However, do not speak negative words to yourself. Be honest. Not critical! Do NOT criticize yourself. God is changing you so do not worry. Now I want you to realistically make yourself a new schedule. If you have young children who do NOT attend school 7am-8am is a good waking time. If you prefer earlier then go for it. Otherwise this is a good time to get them going and you so you can accomplish everything. If your children are in school already then get up about 45 minutes before they need to be out the door. Later we will work on being up BEFORE the kiddos to get in alone time with God. This 45 minutes will give you ample time to get up and dressed, get breakfast, and get them off to school. If your family needs more time then try getting up 15 minutes before your children need to be up so you can get dressed and start breakfast, even through in some time with you and God, talk to him while you are getting ready. He will set the mood for the day if you let him. Then after breakfast, send the kids off to school OR if your kids are at home with you then start your day. Give them something to do, watch educational tv or do some activities or playtime. During this time you can join them or get some chores done. Remember, being a housewife is not all about the HOUSE. Its about your home. Your children are part of that, you are a mother. Set aside time to play with your children and enjoy them. Enjoy being a mother, this will help your days move smoother as your children will get the attention they need first thing in the morning and will be less likely to bother you while you are trying to do the dishes lol. Then after that, take time to complete some of your to do list. Never take chunks of time. Give yourself 15 minutes then play for 10 or something to that extent. ENJOY! OH! I forgot to add something. At breakfast read a short childrens bible story and pray with your children. Have them ask God to bless their day and to be kind and have them pray for their family. Teaching your children to put God at the beginning of the day will save them from having to change habits later. Moving along J. Try to do lunch between 11 and 12noon. This means sitting down to eat. This is a great time for children. I have tried different times but this block of time seems to work for them. Then give your child 30 minutes after meal time to play and run off all that healthy food. Next is naptime. If you don’t fill your day with too much stuff then mommy can take a nap as well. However, you can make this time for God dates or Bible study time. Whatever works best. But try to refrain from an exhausting tasks. This is a time for rest. Just like Sundays. Let your body wind down. Mommy’s need rest too! Then when they wake its snack time! Everyone should revamp with juice and a healthy snack. Then there is more playing, or cleaning if you need it after snack time. Then around 4 is a good time to start dinner. Usually any meal you make, you will need about an hour to get it ready, this includes prep time and cook time. If you need more time make sure you know about how much time it takes to get ready so you can have it ready when hubby gets home. Now, if your husband works weird hours or is away for work then try to eat around 5. This gives your body and babies bodies ample time to digest before having to go to sleep. Then the rest of the night should be for play J. Then bedtime should be 11-12 hours from the time kids woke up if they are young. If your children are older but attend school I recommend getting them to bed by 9pm at the latest. This gives your child around 8-9 hours of sleep which is the least they should get to function for school. See! That wasn’t so hard. Now there are going to be different things that work for you. You need to do what works for you. This is similar to what we do and after a lot of trial and error this is what seems to work for me and my friends who have tried it too. Although, most of my friends get up earlier than I do as their children do not sleep long like mine do. Let me show you the routine Im hoping to start tomorrow.
7am Wake and get dressed, brush teeth, start breakfast.
730-8 eat breakfast, read the bible, clean up from breakfast (include your
Children in clean up time)
8-830 Play with kiddos!
830-930 Mommy time to get school work done
930-10 Daily To Do List
10am Snack Time
1030am Park Time (If its cold out, bundle up, kiddos need to get out no matter the temperature, however if there is health risks involved make a fun activity for inside so they can run off energy)
11am-1130am Mommy Time for Mommy to work on School Work
12pm Start lunch/Eat Lunch
1230 Play time and clean up time(Children bring me dishes and I clean up while they play and run off their food)
1pm-230pm Nap Time
230-3pm Snack Time
3pm-330pm To Do List/Homework-If nothing is left to work on, do kids activity/learning time.
330-4pm Start getting things ready for dinner
4pm-5pm Cooking dinner/Playing with kids
5pm Dinner Time
530pm Dinner Clean Up (Older children help with clean up)
The rest of the time is used for play, family time, or homework. Not used for cleaning!
7pm Snack time/Bedtime Bible Time
730 Bath Time
8pm Bedtime
Now after you put the kiddos to bed you can finish up anything that you didn’t get accomplished throughout your day. However, if you plan your days well you will be able to keep your home tidy and functional without spending all day on cleaning. Also make sure to utilize this time to spend with hubby and/or God. Do NOT spend hours cleaning after your children are in bed. Remember their resting time is YOUR resting time. How can you take care of energetic children if you do not get ample sleep. You must rest when they do so you can be as energized as they are. I know we did not focus on scripture today but this is what God inspired me to write when I prayed to him. If you make a schedule you will be able to give Him a good amount of attention as well. Make sure you set aside time to spend with him. One thing I like to do is say a little prayer and let God know Im thinking about him when I go into the restroom. Im all alone and Im able to just say a quick hello and then get back to the bustle of my day. Also, if you are having behavior problems with your children as well, a good solid schedule will help! I have proved this theory true a few times with my son. He has been violent and hateful and I have been able to dull this down quite a bit by given him a set schedule. He always knows what to expect which makes his flare ups less and less, because he is not being aggravated or rushed! Remember to always ask God for guidance when you are dealing with rough times. Also while making changes. Ask God to help you know how to set up your schedule so that it works for YOUR family.
‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’ ~Jer. 33:3~
To Do for Today:
Read Daily Proverbs
Make Daily Schedule (Rough Draft)
Pray about making a new schedule and the things you’ve learned.
Write down anything you have learned or feel needs changing or any ideas you have related to the study or you becoming a new woman.
One more thing, also consult your husband and family about making changes. Ask them what they think would help or be beneficial to you all. God Bless.
Todays Corresponding Proverbs
Proverbs 18
1 A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire;
He rages against all wise judgment.
2 A fool has no delight in understanding,
But in expressing his own heart.
3 When the wicked comes, contempt comes also;
And with dishonor comes reproach.
4 The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters;
The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.
5 It is not good to show partiality to the wicked,
Or to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
6 A fool’s lips enter into contention,
And his mouth calls for blows.
7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction,
And his lips are the snare of his soul.
8 The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles,
And they go down into the inmost body.
9 He who is slothful in his work
Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.
10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower;
The righteous run to it and are safe.
11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city,
And like a high wall in his own esteem.
12 Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty,
And before honor is humility.
13 He who answers a matter before he hears it,
It is folly and shame to him.
14 The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness,
But who can bear a broken spirit?
15 The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge,
And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
16 A man’s gift makes room for him,
And brings him before great men.
17 The first one to plead his cause seems right,
Until his neighbor comes and examines him.
18 Casting lots causes contentions to cease,
And keeps the mighty apart.
19 A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city,
And contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20 A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth;
From the produce of his lips he shall be filled.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit.
22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing,
And obtains favor from the LORD.
23 The poor man uses entreaties,
But the rich answers roughly.
24 A man who has friends must himself be friendly,
But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
A Mother's Love Comes with a Price 