Day 10 of #Write28Days Challenge
The path of least resistance to getting everyone doing their household chores and homeschooling lessons is to set up schedules and routines for the family. This way, everyone knows what to do when. This is especially helpful when the children are young.
Schedules Get a Bad Rep
Yes, I know many people baulk at the word “schedule” and prefer to be free-spirited. But without some basic scheduling, you are flying by the seat of your pants daily.
It may be “fun” for you but it won’t be for your children. Contrary to popular belief, young children thrive on consistency and a fixed pattern for each day which gives them a sense of security.
Besides, imagine having meals at different times on different days. Over time, I am quite sure one would develop digestive issues.
Definitions of Schedules and Routines
The online Cambridge dictionary defines a schedule as
a list of planned activities or things to be done showing the times or dates when they are intended to happen or be done
There is both a list of activities and a time showing when the activities will happen.
A routine is defined as a usual or fixed way of doing things. There is obviously no time or date slots in a routine.
Schedules vs Routines
But which is better for managing housework and homeschooling? Schedules or routines?
In my opinion, we need both.
Scheduling has a time component. And this is where meals and sleeping times are fixed. Even young children can be taught to read the time fixed for meals and sleeping. These fixed times act as your anchors for the day.
Routine allows the child to flow from one activity to the next with much less friction. If the daily routine is chores before breakfast followed by homeschooling, the child will automatically (after some training, of course) do his chores before going for breakfast. Once he is done with breakfast, will proceed to pull out his homeschool work to do.
Once everyone is clear on the routine, it will become a habit for them and they will need less “reminding”.
Preparing Them for Real Life
Learning to abide by routines and schedules are life skills that our children will need for later on.
At the moment, our children have a lot of flexibility and autonomy as to when they want to start and stop school, as long as the day’s work is completed by the end of the day. But this flexibility will end the moment they start university and/or work.
University classes have fixed schedules. So do workplaces, even if they are the boss. In fact, sticking to a schedule when you are your own boss is even more critical. Whatever they are selling, they will have to adhere to some sort of schedule in order to deliver their product or service to the customers. Or they will lose credibility.
Schedules and Routines for the Family
Besides, it is a fact that the world runs on schedules. Imagine going to the MRT and having no idea when the next train will come. Or trying to watch a movie at a cinema with no time schedule.
Schedules help to keep us on track and act as anchors while routines help reduce friction between us and the children where housework and homeschooling are concerned.
Tomorrow we will talk about setting up our morning routine. See you!
Related Links
Schedules and Routines
Why Kids Need Routines
The Importance of a Regular Routine to Your Child