Developing Realistic Schedules

Written by Zan Tyler

My dear friend and mentor, Jessica Hulcy, often says, “Certainly parents, not textbooks, are the best teachers.” In other words, as I have written in the article “Is There a Perfect Curriculum?,” curriculum is not an end in itself - it is a means to an end. Curricular resources are tools of our trade, just like paintbrushes are the tools of the trade for artists. A skilled artist can take an old, imperfect brush and still paint a beautiful picture. Like the artist, we need to be focused on the quality of the final picture and not constantly examining the brush!

In the same sense, we should view daily schedules in the same light: schedules should serve us and our purposes, not the other way around. Every year my family’s daily schedule has varied, depending on the ages of the  children and how many were being homeschooled. Since my second son graduated from our home school in 1999, I have only been homeschooling one child—and she is very self-disciplined. So she draws up her own schedule for the year and presents it to me for suggestions and final approval. 

Life has not always been that easy! I can remember when Elizabeth was a toddler, the boys were in fourth and sixth grades, and we had extreme legislative battles facing us. Constructing a workable schedule was more like a work of art. In planning, I had to take into account the legislative calendar, sports schedules, Elizabeth’s nap times, attention spans (or lack thereof), the myriad of subjects we were covering, and housework. I also wanted to build in time for community and church service, time to visit grandparents, and time to play. Additionally, my husband traveled a lot, which meant oftentimes I had no reinforcements coming in for the evening shift. Our days were wonderfully full, and exhausting.

As you face the new school year, take out a day for planning—without the kids. Trade off with a friend, or hire a sitter for the day. Your planning should include trying to draft a workable daily schedule. Your schedule should take into account some of the following things: the number and ages of your children, your academic goals for each child, outside classes and co-ops, extracurricular activities, church and community involvement, and housework.

Here are a few tips:

1. Don’t forget to schedule time for personal and family devotions. (Aiming for five days a week and succeeding on two or three days is better than aiming for nothing and accomplishing that!)

2. Buy an answering machine or service—and use it. Nothing can derail the best laid plans faster than a “quick” phone call from a well-meaning friend.

3. Examine last year and try to figure out what worked and what caused problems. For instance, I realized early in my homeschooling career that I could no longer attend morning Bible studies. I had to do everything I could to preserve the integrity of the morning hours.  

4. Learn to say no occasionally to friends and church members who call on you to help with special projects, because, after all, you don’t have a “job.”

5. Identify what some of your biggest challenges will be this year. Do you have a new baby, or a toddler or two? Are you teaching a special needs child or a high schooler for the first time? Are you trying a new curriculum that will take a little more planning? Are you caring for a sick child? A sick or elderly parent? How will you realistically plan your days?

6. Identify areas where you could use some help, and don’t be afraid to ask for it. Maybe household help once a week or every other week is the key to feeling like you can handle life. Maybe you need to hire a math tutor for your child who is struggling. Maybe there is a subject your husband can take charge of and supervise or teach in the evening when he is home. Be creative.

7. Do the subject your child likes the least first.

8. Have high standards, but be realistic. Don’t set yourself up for failure. If your children have never been up by 6:00 a.m., don’t decide you are going to be especially spiritual this year and start family devotions at 6:00, followed by chores at 6:30, and school work at 7:00. On the other hand, if you are all early risers, go for it! 

9. Many families have found success by schooling four days a week and using one day to run errands and do housework. (In states that require a certain number of instructional days, you will need to adjust the length of your year accordingly.)

10. Remember, because of the nature of life and homeschooling, your schedule will be interrupted. The basement will flood. The dog will get sick. Your neighbor will have a true emergency and need your help.

11. Remember to commit each day to the Lord, and celebrate it in the midst of all your responsibilities. “This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.”

12. Remember to cherish these days with your children while they are still home. Even though you feel like you will be changing diapers for the rest of your life, your children do eventually grow up and leave home.  

Zan Tyler is the Homeschool Resource and Media Consultant for Broadman and Holman Publishers and the Homeschool Editor for lifeway.com. She and her husband Joe have three children and have been homeschooling since 1984.

Share your thoughts with other readers:  Post Comments   Rate this Article