A Homemaking Journey

I can't tell you how many times I set new goals, draw up plans, schedules, and organize a space because TODAY is the day we start a new habit, or routine, or just something NEEDS to change, so here's where we start. Last month I tried a new chore system. Someone said to try anything for a month before abandoning it. Well, it's been abandoned. I was going to try doing "jurisdictions" (if this sounds familiar, it was an idea taken from the Duggars). Well, the jurisdictions involved two chores each for three kids for one month. That didn't work. What did work, and still does work, is our ABC chores. I posted them on the closet door. These change every day, and they are things like Meal Helper, Dishes, Feeding and Care of Pets, Help with Laundry. So, we are back to a more peaceful home now that we are all doing a chore system that was working and are motivating for the kids to do because they aren't in one area for too long.
Then, there's school. Ugh. Sometimes I have to say that homeschooling gets a little overwhelming and once we get a break, it's very difficult to get started again. I decided to start doing school all year round, with a month or so of a break in between topics (planning to do 2-3 a year). Unfortunately, lately, it seems life is taking over and I cannot get back onto our school schedule. We have family coming in this week, so I've put it on hold again.
Next up is sleeping. I don't have an infant that wakes up two times a night anymore, so I shouldn't be having sleep deprivation issues, but I do, because I choose to stay up until midnight when a tornado watch expires, or I'm reading a good book, or I'm blog surfing. Once I don't get enough sleep, now our routine is off, the house gets trashed out and now the whole day feels like it's falling apart before it has even started.
I suppose some people would say this is life. I have such a hard time not being an over achiever, it's difficult to accept this excuse. I've heard it takes an average of 21 days to start a new habit, and just a couple of days to break that new habit. Falling on and off the wagon of whatever resolution you've made for yourself gets really stressful, not to mention, brings you down too. As mothers, I can't say how many times I've said: Today I will: read my scriptures, pray, exercise, not eat any cookies, walk the dog, play with the kids, do school with the kids, clean my house, scrub my floor, call my friend, talk to my husband about IMPORTANT things (not Joshua ate half a loaf of bread), take a meal to someone in need, read that book I borrowed, and run these 13 errands. Well, who wouldn't fail with those expectations?
Isn't there a name for this kind of thing...ah, yes...Supermom Syndrome. I have a bad case of it. And, with it comes a nice heaping dose of guilt. The gift that keeps on giving.
On the days that have gone really well, I notice it is when the routine has been simplified and I've done a few things in preparation. Reading scriptures, walking the dog, praying, then coming home and showering and getting breakfast ready for the kids seems to be the best way to start our day. After that, it seems things fall into place: school, cleaning, playing, naps, early dinner, baths, bedtime. That's not to say we don't have squabbles and crying and hectic moments, but it's easier to handle when I'm prepared for the day. One of the funniest things that I've noticed for myself is that I have to wear shoes. If I wear my shoes, then I'm motivated to do stuff. If I'm barefoot, I'm more likely to be lazy and let things slide. I think this stems back to getting ready in the morning to take the dogs out for their walk. I remember Justin, my german shepherd mix, happy, tail wagging and anxious to get out the door the moment he saw me get my shoes. If we could all meet the day that way, like Justin did, with excitement and energy, we'd probably be able to get that whole Supermom list done. Ok, realistically, maybe only half of it.

A Word About Routines