Passionate Homemaking

Continuing on in our steps to simplifying series…

Making a simple schedule can sure help things run a little more smoothly (as long as you first submit it all to the Lord’s will, as I have been learning this week)! And who of us wouldn’t ask for that? My simplifying starts by a weekly evaluation and planning time on Sunday evening. I have developed a basic schedule for our household based on dividing the day into morning and afternoon blocks of time.

My household schedule may not work for every family, but trying out different methods is helpful to find which routine works for you. Any simple routine is better than nothing and will get you on the path towards simplifying your life.

Our Schedule

Morning Routine (Every Day):

1. Devotions
2. Exercise & Shower (2-3 times a week)
3. Make myself presentable (otherwise I often never get around to simply fixing my hair - at least for my hubby!)
4. Prepare Breakfast
5. Dinner preparations / complete any preparation and soaking steps for next day
6. House pick-up (just a quick pick up of items that are out of place)
7. 5 minute plan for the day (selecting any items from my to-do list that should be completed that day) - complete one or two in the morning
8. Fill up water bottle (not doing so good on this one! Help!)

Afternoon Routine:

Dividing each day into themes or focus days has kept it simple for me.

Sunday evening - weekly planning, making menu plan, hospitality (twice a month)
Monday - basic organization for the week, laundry
Tuesday - folding laundry, ironing
Wednesday - Ministry to others (as detailed in my weekly evaluation) - whether writing a note of encouragement, inviting someone over for tea, or simply preparing a meal for someone in need - I like to have a afternoon dedicated to this
Thursday - Simplifying/organizing task (as detailed in my weekly evaluation) - selecting one task each week that needs simplifying or organizing
Friday / Saturday- housecleaning day (twice a month), monthly baking day (once a month on an opposite week of housecleaning), grocery shopping (first of the month) - these things are marked on my calendar so I don’t forget which week I am on! Sometimes they get pushed to Monday, if we have a weekend event

Keep naps and meals on a consistent schedule! I try to keep Karis’ naps on a consistent schedule (10:30-11:30 & 2:30-4:30) along with our meal times (8:30, 12:30, 6:00). Consistency helps Karis do well and keeps the hubby happy when his meals are on time.

At this point in my life, I personally like to get my laundry completed at the first of the week. It allows me to get all the loads washed and put away more quickly rather than scattering it out throughout the week. This may change with more children and more loads of laundry, but for now it is my main focus for Mondays. I also like to consolidate my housecleaning to two weekends each month. It starts on Friday and is usually completed on Saturday (but sometimes it carries into Monday). Obviously our family and house are small so it doesn’t need to be cleaned more frequently as this point.

Master To-Do List

In my weekly planning, I map out a master to-do list of things that need to be completed throughout the week. I think the key thing I am learning is that they don’t all have to get done on one day. By each task, I write which day it should be completed. Make the list and then divide it evenly throughout the week.

Try anything once and see what works for you! Above all, keep the Lord the center of it all, and aim to work as unto Him! Faithfulness not perfection is God’s calling for us! I have not mastered it all, nor do I imagine I ever will. Just writing this out today was a good reminder for me that I have been slacking in a few areas myself.

Other scheduling ideas:

Dividing Schedule into Blocks of Time - Stephanie at Keeper of the Home has covered this idea thoroughly. This is a very helpful idea.
Scheduling & Creating a Full Schedule by Crystal at Biblical Womanhood -She uses more of a strict schedule routaine and gives tips for setting up one that works for your family.
Tools & Tips for Using Time Wisely - an excellent list of tips by Kristy Howard at Homemaker’s Cottage

I would love to hear other ideas that work for you in simplifying scheduling and household management?

Next week we dive into simplifying menu planning…stay tuned…