Finding My Rhythm
Having a rhythm is the perfect way to introduce predictability, stability and order into my home. I honestly believe that having a rhythm is the heartbeat of the home. Whether the rhythm is daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly, having a set of entrusted flow always sets the tone.
Somewhere in between unpredictability of raising 3 little ones close in age, and chaos, I’m slowly finding my rhythm for the school year and season.
The Favorite Family began homeschooling August 5th and I’m still trying to figure out what works best for me, the children and the time frame I want to spend teaching them in lessons. Having set routines and to-do lists are great but that doesn’t equate to rhythm. I already feel like I need a reset and to do that, I am relying on a wonderful guide that Meghan of Rooted Childhood shared with me. She says, “Creating a family rhythm takes time. Start by noticing and working with the natural progression of your days, weeks, months and seasons that you already have.” I realize that I begin to feel overwhelmed If things don’t flow in a natural order for me and my family. I’m sure I’m not the only one. With responsibilities of the home, I must have a balance to what is required.
Its Meghan’s words that reminds me of how important my rhythm is as a woman, wife, and mother. It is also her words that allows me to feel comfortable with these monthly check-ins on where I am and adjust accordingly.
If you aren’t familiar with rhythm, you might be asking what it is. It is the natural flow of activities that relate to each other. It doesn’t go in a set time; instead, a rhythm flows with events that already occur in your day to day life. It’s a chance to establish what matters to the family and how to connect in deep moments throughout the days.
Come along with me as I look over my daily rhythm.
I begin with filtering my chart with anchor points. Anchor points are mandatory things that naturally happen without the planning for it. Here are my anchor points
- Wake time
- Nap time
- Meals
- Bedtime
- Homeschooling
- Movement
Daily rhythms should naturally include alternating times of activity and rest, and
should include both work and play. This is the part that becomes a little tricky for me.
I must think about what is most important for my family and the things I need to accomplish to maintain peace in the home.
Centering around wake time is the usual freshen up and breakfast making. I know that waking up before the family and getting myself ready for the day takes peace, tranquility and my time to ‘fill my joy cup’ with what I personally need. I do most of my meditating here. After im done, breakfast is always on my mind first. Breakfast tends to be easy to make because its mostly fruits and/or something light in the morning for my family.
When my children begin to wake up, its now time to freshen them up for the day.
While they eat or engage in imaginary play, its now time for me to do the housework for the day and house planning designated for that day. This usually takes an hour and sometimes less time.
Now, my anchor points and add-ins look like this,
- Wake time
- Freshen up
- Breakfast
- Housework
- House planning
- Homeschooling
Homeschooling has its own flow and it goes in well with my anchor points and natural flow. Here is my flow during homeschooling.
- Morning circle
- Main lesson block
- Morning snack and Free play
- Set table, wash hands, recite blessing over food, lunch time
- Story time & hands on activity
- Nap time
- Afternoon Main lesson block
- Outing/field trip
- Free play
- Quick home pick-me-up
- Cook dinner
- Bedtime routine for children
- Hubby and Wife time
I’m slowly learning that having the children run around at the park after dinner and then giving them a bath and heading to bed is a better plan. I might change it up after careful consideration of moving flows.
Setting a flow makes me a happier woman. Its easy to set flow when you have a natural way of moving from one activity to another. The other part of this flow is planning, but that’s a whole other blog post.
Until then, set your flows and share them with me, wont you?
Love,
Charlene