Happy Tuesday, friends!
I've always been a curious person when it comes to how other women schedule their time or run their home.
When I was a new homeschooling mom, many years back, my favorite books to read were the ones where other moms shared their daily schedules (now called "a day in the life"). I'm always looking for new ideas or new methods, whether in shopping, organization, scheduling, budgeting and all other things concerning the home.
I remember keeping a planner in the early days of being a young mom. I would write important dates on the calendar and then write my list for the day or week, along with meal plans and shopping lists. Back then HOME PLANNING NOTEBOOKS were all the rage. These were 3-ring binders that contained everything you could think of to run your household.
The notebooks would have lists of schedules, when to maintenance your car, change your air filter, do your chores, grocery lists, budget templates, notes to leave your babysitter and things I can't even remember right now. I kind of chuckle at the thought of how overwhelming that all sounds to me, all these years later.
I remember watching an episode of Wife Swap back then and one of the wives calling her notebook "her brain" and thinking that was a great way to describe it, because it did all the thinking for you, if you set it up right.
Nowadays I have one simple planner and an ongoing to-do list in the back of the planner. I write a daily list of things to do and throw it away when everything is done. In other words, I've simplified immensely.
But one thing I have done that has helped me schedule my week is put a simple schedule together that tells me what each day should focus on.
For instance:
Monday is for school prep, household chores, and groceries
Tuesday - Millie School
Wednesday - Office Day - used to write, learn something, get creative
Thursday - Millie School (or school prep if girls are at co-op)
Friday - Pay bills, day out to spend with a friend, shop, run errands, etc.
Saturday - cook, projects around the house or an outing with David
Sunday - church, meal plan and grocery list
This is just a suggestive schedule and always subject to change, but it gives me a good outline of what to do on what day. Of course, the usual tasks are taken care of as needed, such as cleaning, laundry, cooking, etc. I also leave room for last minute grandkid visits or invitations.
What I like about this schedule is that it came out of my natural rhythm of what I was already doing. In other words, I didn't just create a schedule and then try to adjust to it. These were the tasks I was already doing on those days and so it feels doable and something I can stick with.
So...the question is...how do you schedule your week? (I told you, I'm always curious 😀)
Do you have certain chores on certain days or are you willy-nilly and just wake up and go with the flow?
Did you ever have a household planner notebook? Apparently they are still a thing (according to Pinterest).
Well, I'm looking forward to hearing your answers. So...
Until Next Time...
Blessings!
I think I had more of a schedule when my kids were all little and at home. It was easier to live by a plan when they were homeschooling! Nowadays it's way different, though. My life looks nothing like it used to, so work takes over everyday until the weekend. There are certain things I like to do in preparation for the weekend or a new week, though...like laundry or cleaning the house. I know people who call certain days when they do things like bills and phone calls "admin day". I like that!
ReplyDeleteI typically do the bulk of the laundry on the weekends (this is a holdover from my working days). While I don't assign chores to specific days, I usually end up doing them on certain days. Appointments, meetups, and outings with friends go on the paper calendar that hangs on the wall as well as the pocket calendar in my bag.
ReplyDeleteI'm a planner and list maker. I have a list hanging on the side of my fridge with daily tasks that I can check off. I've divided up cleaning tasks along with things like laundry, menu planning... and have them all listed. I also have daily things on it like walking and making the bed. It feels good to check them off and helps keep me on schedule!
ReplyDeleteThis would be a good idea for my step daughter who has memory issues. She seems to respond well to routine and might motivate her, to stop watching you tube videos all day in bed.
ReplyDeleteAs for me, I don't need anything that structured yet - I do keep a whiteboard on the,refrigerator for things we need, I add appointments to my phone, and then some things are routine and in my memory without being reminded. I know there will come a time when I may need this aid.
When I was younger with kiddos at home I had a planner that I used to keep track of everything. Then I started getting good with my iphone and adding things to the calendar in there and it gives me alerts each day etc. I was still using a planner sometimes because I liked adding stickers and making it cute. Lol But now I mainly use my phone and I also like to make lists. Sometimes in the notes part of my phone. And other times on paper as I like the satisfaction of crossing things off. :)
ReplyDeleteI keep dates of special events on the wall calendar. I do make lists of things to accomplish or buy - but not necessarily for a specific time. Mostly, being retired, I do what I want when I want!
ReplyDeleteI have a pretty busy household so I do assign chores to days. I also have 5 chores I do everyday. They are no longer posted because everyone knows what they are. Monday: Baking
ReplyDeleteTuesday: Gardening/Laundry
Wednesday: General Cleaning
Thursday: Laundry/Gardening
Friday: Errands and Grocery
Since I work seasonally they have been "trained" and step in when I need help, or ask.
Decades ago I used a desk-size paper calendar. I was thrilled when I switched over to Microsoft Outlook and could add carpool commitments and scout meetings as recurring appointments, meaning they showed up automatically.
ReplyDeleteNow my Apple calendar syncs seamlessly with my iPhone. I also have a stack of things I need to do outside of the house in an Inbox. Each evening I transfer the next day's reminders to the bedroom dresser so I don't forget them.
I use a paper monthly calendar for appointments and things...
ReplyDeleteI MAKE a planner/journal. I buy a blank small notebook and I print sticker paper and on Sunday afternoon I decorate each page for the week. I make it as charming as I can so I can feel happy to look at it.
Also on Sunday afternoon I make a double page spread I call "A Peek at the Week" and I write in when I want to do chores, etc. I try not to schedule to much on one day so I can actually do what I write!
I'll do a post on it someday and show ya! I'm the same, I love to see how others plan! What a great idea for a post!
Nothing fancy for me I just write them down on my calendar.
ReplyDeleteI am very willy- nilly and have never had a household planner-- even those times I tried implementing a homeschooling planner or a cleaning schedule we never stuck to it for more than a week or two.
ReplyDeleteI put appointments, reminders when I need to schedule things like car maintenance, and birthdays--as well as other important upcoming events--on my calendar, and then I just use daily to do lists that I put together the evening before.
ReplyDeleteI used to try and use a planner, but it never really worked for me because there was always something unexpected that came up and threw everything off.
I am a planner and I use not only a very marked up calendar, but a notebook as well. The past few months, I have had to re-adjust my days especially not knowing when I am going to have to take Sam in the doctor. I usually do laundry on Mondays and Thursdays....I put Wednesdays down for ME to have a day....I save Fridays for Sam as he normally has treatments on Fridays. Saturdays I use for outdoors work. Things have changed so much around here, but I sure am trying ...
ReplyDeleteThis takes me back to a simpler way of doing things. That idea of a planner being your brain really makes sense, especially in those busy seasons of life. I like how you’ve eased into a rhythm that fits what you already do instead of forcing something new, that feels wise and steady. It reminds me that keeping things simple often works best in the long run. I hope monday is going well, I just shared a new blog post: www.melodyjacob.com
ReplyDelete