Here's a look at how Caroline from Naturally from the Heart schedules her homemaking responsibilities.
Caroline, Contributing Writer
When I think about making a schedule, it kind of scares me. I think, "If I make a schedule, that means I actually have to follow it!" But, one schedule that I have been able to stick to is the one I use for laundry.
I have used it for probably 10 years now and it really works well for me. I began using this schedule because I used to do all my laundry on the weekends when I was working outside of the home full time and it was pretty stressful.
Basically it involves doing one load per day. Of course, if you have a larger family you may have to do more than one load per day.
Laundry Schedule
Caroline, Contributing Writer
When I think about making a schedule, it kind of scares me. I think, "If I make a schedule, that means I actually have to follow it!" But, one schedule that I have been able to stick to is the one I use for laundry.
I have used it for probably 10 years now and it really works well for me. I began using this schedule because I used to do all my laundry on the weekends when I was working outside of the home full time and it was pretty stressful.
Basically it involves doing one load per day. Of course, if you have a larger family you may have to do more than one load per day.
Laundry Schedule
Monday- Whites
Tuesday- TowelsWednesday- Jeans
Thursday- Darks
Friday- Lights
Saturday- Husband's work clothes
Of course you can't forget the extras like
sheets and blankets. I just work them in throughout the week as
needed.
As far as what I use for laundry detergent, I prefer ECOS Plus Laundry Detergent from Sam's Club. It is free of petrochemicals, formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxine and it has a built-in coconut-based fabric softener. I have tried making my own laundry detergent, but it didn't really clean the way I wanted it to.
I use vinegar in my fabric softener dispenser as a disinfectant and fabric softener and I use 1 cup of baking soda as a deodorizer. I don't use fabric softener sheets in the dryer since they are loaded with chemicals that I don't want to expose my family to.
As far as what I use for laundry detergent, I prefer ECOS Plus Laundry Detergent from Sam's Club. It is free of petrochemicals, formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxine and it has a built-in coconut-based fabric softener. I have tried making my own laundry detergent, but it didn't really clean the way I wanted it to.
I use vinegar in my fabric softener dispenser as a disinfectant and fabric softener and I use 1 cup of baking soda as a deodorizer. I don't use fabric softener sheets in the dryer since they are loaded with chemicals that I don't want to expose my family to.
Morning Schedule
I have a loose schedule I follow in the morning. I set my alarm to allow myself time to exercise, shower and start laundry before my 5-year-old daughter wakes up. It doesn't always work out that way so the t.v. comes in handy sometimes.
I have a loose schedule I follow in the morning. I set my alarm to allow myself time to exercise, shower and start laundry before my 5-year-old daughter wakes up. It doesn't always work out that way so the t.v. comes in handy sometimes.
Housework Schedule
As far as the rest of my housework, I don't
schedule it at all. I feel that if I can as least get the bed made, run
the dishwasher and make dinner, I'm doing pretty good.
My 5-year-old daughter will let me know when things such as cleaning the bathroom or vacuuming/sweeping the floors need to be done and she is a huge help in this area. She will just start cleaning things for me or she will say, "Mommy, can you get the vacuum cleaner out for me?" I know not all kids are like that and I am very blessed to have her help! I have tried to make a daily schedule for housework, but I have never been able to stick to it.
My 5-year-old daughter will let me know when things such as cleaning the bathroom or vacuuming/sweeping the floors need to be done and she is a huge help in this area. She will just start cleaning things for me or she will say, "Mommy, can you get the vacuum cleaner out for me?" I know not all kids are like that and I am very blessed to have her help! I have tried to make a daily schedule for housework, but I have never been able to stick to it.
Exercise Schedule
Here is the exercise schedule I follow. I
use the Biggest Loser Challenge Wii game for 30 minutes, 3 days a week and I ride
my exercise bike for 30 minutes, 3 days a week. I always exercise first thing in
the morning to make sure I get it in. It's really important for me to
exercise because it gives me the energy I need to get through the day.
Homeschool Schedule
I homeschool my daughter, so have a schedule for that too. I try to get started right after breakfast if I can. Monday and Wednesday mornings she has music class from 9:15-9:45 so we try to get started as soon as possible after we get home. I have to work around what kind of day she is having too. Some days we have to take it kind of slow and others days we can zip right through her work and have the rest of the day to do some other fun things. So, I guess I have a schedule but as you can see, it is VERY flexible.
I homeschool my daughter, so have a schedule for that too. I try to get started right after breakfast if I can. Monday and Wednesday mornings she has music class from 9:15-9:45 so we try to get started as soon as possible after we get home. I have to work around what kind of day she is having too. Some days we have to take it kind of slow and others days we can zip right through her work and have the rest of the day to do some other fun things. So, I guess I have a schedule but as you can see, it is VERY flexible.
Conclusion
Having said all that, I feel a schedule of some
sort is beneficial for me. It can help me be a little bit calmer. On the
other hand, a schedule could cause stress if you become anxious because you
can't stick to it.
You really have to be flexible and understand that a schedule is really just a guide and you don't need to be rigid with it. Also, make sure you schedule some time for yourself, whether it's reading a book, having a cup of tea, or if you're really lucky, maybe take a little 20 minute nap (another time the t.v. could come in handy). It works wonders!
You really have to be flexible and understand that a schedule is really just a guide and you don't need to be rigid with it. Also, make sure you schedule some time for yourself, whether it's reading a book, having a cup of tea, or if you're really lucky, maybe take a little 20 minute nap (another time the t.v. could come in handy). It works wonders!
**From Becky: I also like the idea of having a loose daily schedule (e.g. read 15 minutes a day, read my Bible, do a load of laundry, declutter a room for 15 minutes, etc.), but I don't like to be constrained to an actual time table (e.g. read Bible at 10 a.m., laundry at 10:30 a.m., etc.). Thanks, Caroline, for sharing with us what your routine looks like.
Caroline is a mom to 3 children, ages 32, 31 and
5 years. She enjoys crafts, reading, exercising and spending time with
family. She and her daughter, April, blog at www.Naturallyfromtheheart.com
where they are passionate about homeschooling and natural living.
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