Learning to Simplify: Our Daily Schedule and Why It Needs to Be Simple

I’m so glad you’re following along with me in my mission to make my life more simple.  We’re heading into our last week of school here at the Hill House, and this is always a productive time for me to reflect on what has worked this past year and what has not.

This week, I’m analyzing our daily schedule.

First, let me say that I am not (with a capital N-O-T) a person that thrives on a busy schedule.  I’m quite the homebody in my old age.

When I know that my week/month is going to be packed with activities and appointments, I tend to shut down and not want to do any of it.

My personality is just not one that flits from thing to thing and loves every second of it.

When our schedule is too packed, I don’t have time to be available as a wife and mother,  serve my family healthy food, keep a semi-clean house, plan our homeschool, or (I hate to say it) work.

These things are important to me – especially the first three – and I consider them my top priorities.

Because I know that about myself, I work extra hard to make sure that there is plenty of room in our schedule for me to take care of my jobs as a homeschooling mama.

And honestly, when our schedule is too full, I’m cranky.  A lot.

I don’t like my family seeing that side of me.  They deserve more from me than constant crankiness.

Today I’m sharing the why behind my having a simple schedule.  Tomorrow, I’ll be sharing my techniques for making sure my schedule and my goals for my family are aligned.

Simplifying My Schedule: What’s the Point?

Through homeschooling the past 5 years, I’ve learned how important it is to be intentional with my time.  I was pretty resistant to this concept the first several years of homeschooling, I’ll admit.  I wanted to be in control and not have every second of my life planned.  It was more about me and what I wanted.

As The Lord has changed my heart, I realize that for me to be the wife, mother, and homeschool mama that God intended, I must live a more intentional and purposeful life in regard to time management.

I learned to set goals for myself and my children.  I dreamed and envisioned what I wanted our homeschool year and family life to look like.

I periodically imagine what a perfect routine looks like, and then take steps to make that happen.  I don’t just let life and circumstances happen to me.

Please don’t misunderstand me: This isn’t hyper-control by any means.  I envision the way I’d like our schedule to be, but leave myself open for God’s direction.

I’m still learning to be flexible.

But the freedom I’ve experienced by living this way?

Immeasurable!

Why I Must Keep My Schedule Simple

I mentioned that I get fairly cranky when there is too much on my to-do list.  I hate that I am like that, but it’s true.

One of the marvelous and yet difficult parts of homeschooling is that your children see your every action and every emotion.

My children know when I’m upset or grumpy or overtired.  They see my every move.

The last thing I want my children to believe is that I don’t enjoy being with them during the day.  I don’t want them to see motherhood as something I’m enduring.

I don’t want them to believe I see this homeschool life as drudgery.

It’s the privilege of my life to be my children’s mama and spend my days with them at home.

So even if I don’t feel like that on a particular day, I try hard for my face and attitude to show that I do enjoy them and want to spend time with them.

Admittedly, I fail at this a lot. Some days, I mess up horribly.  I ask for their forgiveness and we move on.

All in all, I want my children to know and believe that their mama absolutely adores spending her days with them.

What Are My Goals in Regard to My Family’s Schedule?

So I’m sure that leads you to the next question: What are your goals for your family and your schedule?

I’ll be happy to share those!  It might help you brainstorm your own goals.

This list is in no particular order:

♥ I want my children to have copious amounts of free time to play outside, use their imaginations, and play games.

♥ I want my children and I to spend our days together and enjoy that time together, not constantly rushing to the next thing.

♥ I want my children to have plenty of time to see their grandparents who live 5 minutes away.  This is such a blessing and privilege for my parents to live close by, and I don’t want to rob them of any opportunities to enjoy that relationship.

♥ If my child has a new interest (an animal or game or invention, for example), I want us to have plenty of time to explore it.

♥ I want us to have ample time to read good books together.

♥ I want us to eat dinner together every night.

♥ I want to have the time to prepare healthy meals and snacks for my family – and this does take a LOT of time!

♥ I want us to have time to go on adventures together – spending a morning at the park or going to a local museum.

♥ I want time to keep my house relatively clean and straight.  This includes taking the time to teach my children how to clean well, wash dishes, etc.

♥ I want the time to minister to other people.  Whether it’s a phone call with a hurting friend, or preparing a meal for a new mother, I want the opportunity to provide for someone else’s needs.

As you read through this list, I’m sure it seems very family-heavy to you.  And that’s because it is.

My family is very important to me, and I want to instill in my children this great sense of family.  I want my children to understand they can turn to their parents and their siblings for anything – now or later in life.  The circumstances of life will be joyous for them at times, and heartbreaking for them at some point.

The only way for us to build that type of relationship is for us to spend time with one another, learn each other, respect one another, and love each other deeply.

That is my biggest prayer for my family.

What Are Your Reasons?

Are you like me and have the same desire to live a more simple life?

What are your goals and dreams for your own family?

I’d love to talk with you about them in the comments!

Make sure you come back tomorrow and I’ll show you the steps I take to make sure our schedule isn’t too heavy.

Lauren Hill

Lauren Hill is a Christian mom to 5, ages 19 to 7. She homeschools her children in the classical education tradition and is currently in her 15th year of homeschool. She creates engaging worksheets and hands-on printable activities for Preschool and Elementary age children to supplement their daily studies.

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