Homeschool World Forum

I would love to know the things that make your life run smoother.

Here are a few of mine:

For the car, we have a back of the seat organizer for each of our girls. We keep it stocked with coloring books, preschool skill workbooks, crayons, story books, small toys ($ tree, prizes in goody bags from birthday parties, happy meal toys, etc), and usually a few snack choices. I rotate them out every couple of months or so. I also added a clip on book light that gives enough light for them but doesn't distract the driver ~ unless like my 3 year old they take it off and twirl it around and around and around (you get the picture).

I also just got a new washer and dryer (thanks, honey!) and I am going to be doing laundry only once a week. I will sort them in my room into baskets labeled with each person's name. When I get it all done, I will put it away (that sweet husband would rather dress out of the basket and the baby is too young yet - the 3 year old puts her own away).

I keep all of my recipes in a 3 ring binder in page protectors - either as I print them off the internet or type the ones I use (especially during my once a month cooking sessions). When I get ready to plan a menu, I flip through and make my list. When I get in the mood, I try new ones. If they are good, they get a spot in the notebook!

Now tell us yours!!

Hi There!

I saw that you keep items in your car to keep the kids occupied, and I came across this website that might be helpful to homeschoolers that find themselves driving all over town getting kids to lessons, practices, etc.


http://www.carschooling.com

It sounds funny now, but I'm sure it might work for some families.

I like your idea with recipes. I print lots of recipes off the internet, and they get tossed if the kids don't like the recipes. If they're liked, they are kept. I should just organize them in a 3 ring binder.

My kids are much younger and I may have 3 in diapers soon, (if dd doesn't figure out the potty chair soon), (Ugh, diaper change), I always check diapers at one time. I found I was going crazy checking kids every 15-30 minutes, so I just change every one or two hours.

I start laundry on Mondays. I do about two loads a day and finish up mid week, even though it seems like I'm washing kids clothes all the time. I used to do all the laundry on Mondays, but I was finding myself stressed, walking around the house, back and forth, hauling laundry to the laundry room, folding, then putting away. A little at a time works better for me.

Maybe I don't have any advice that helps, but I just wanted to add my two cents.

We decided what needed to be done daily, weekly, monthly, seasonally and yearly. We decided who would do what job when. I wrote the chore, who was to do it and when on index cards. Then I color coded them based on the time interval. Pink for daily, green for seasonally, etc. I also give cards for one time jobs when I think of something that needs to be done.
I decided monthly jobs were on Mon., inside weekly on Friday, outside weekly on Tuesday or Thursday (depending on weather), games on Wednesday, etc. I made a fabric sorter to hang on the wall. Each of the 8 children has a pocket for their cards. Our home is much more orderly. No one is waiting for me to tell them the jobs for the day. I just say "go work your cards". When school starts up again, I will have cards for their subjects as well. I will likely put the cards in the order they are to be done so that chores, school, games, playing with younger siblings, etc will be planned out.

i consider myself as an organized person, sometimes a little too organized me thinks.. , but i sure picked up a tip or two from you guys that i will definitely try out...

I love Gardening. When I free, I go in my garden and care of my plants like plant seeds, cut grass and make sure plants are healthy. It makes me healthy and enjoyable.
Some time I like reading books. It make my life very smoother because when I read good writers books and learn from their experience of life, I think how can I apply them in my life.
Some time I like to teach small children because when they play, smiling.. etc, I enjoy these moments.