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Tuesday Time to Tackle: Establishing a Household Routine for Summer

Routines give structure to my days, and help me prioritize my tasks.  However, my routines are built around the schedules of others.  When their schedules change, my routines change, too.  Now that it is summer, I need to re-evaluate my plans for my days.

source  (Now if I can just find a sailor suit!)


Last night, we used our family home evening time to coordinate our calendars for the month, and to establish some structure to our days.  Specifically, we implemented a "12 p.m. pick-up" time, followed by a concentrated cleaning effort.  This break in the day to put things away was not initially well-received by all, but my "I refuse to be the maid" sentiment won out over any feelings of teenage entitlement.  The older and wiser ones recognized the wisdom of sharing the work, thereby keeping Mom from feeling too overwhelmed. 

(Lest I paint my family in a bad light, let me point out that everyone does pitch in with household chores.  I just wanted a more specific schedule, so everyone knew what was expected.) 

Our 12 p.m. pick-up should result in items from all over the house being put away in their proper place.  Additionally, we assigned each day (Monday-Saturday) an area of focus for the detailed cleaning.  For example:  Monday--bathrooms, Tuesday--kitchen, Wednesday--the rooms visible from the front door, Thursday--the game room and bedrooms, Friday--special projects (areas that need occasional attention--garage, closets, etc.), Saturday--lawn, garden, yard.

Now, of course, things will come up that will require adaptation, but I'm hopeful that this schedule will keep the house looking halfway decent, and leave me feeling a bit more relaxed.  

How does your schedule change during the summer?

Thanks for willing (and not-so-willing, but resigned) helpers!


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Comments

  1. ChristineJune 4, 2013 at 3:00 PM

    Each morning I make sure they are up at a not-so-late hour. After they have eaten and gotten ready for the day, I give them their chore(s) for the day. Once each child finishes his work, he is free for the day. Unless, of course, he makes a big mess. Then he cleans it up. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. CaroleJune 4, 2013 at 3:54 PM

    Kristi, that drawing is just so cute! It takes me back to the books of my childhood. Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  3. DebbieJune 4, 2013 at 5:40 PM

    I must have schedules similar to yours or I just cannot function. Now that summer is here, I do have to be more flexible(such as grass cutting on Mondays, then it rains all day Monday)but the basic outline is there which is a life saver. Glad to know I am not the only one who has to have days organized like this!

    ReplyDelete
  4. NancyJune 6, 2013 at 8:52 AM

    My routine basically stays the same now that I am retired.

    ReplyDelete
  5. UnknownJune 6, 2013 at 4:47 PM

    Since I am retired, too it just means more time with my daughter and my granddaughter! Life is good.

    ReplyDelete

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