Catholic Family Vignettes

What a lovely start to the school year! Our new schedule has been well received by the scholars of Sacred Heart Academy. I apologize for the poor quality of the photos...I'm not the photographer that my dear daughter is.
Nonetheless, we are quite pleased with our little classroom...though the toddler did take great offense, at not having been given her very own desk (the picnic table must suffice, for the time being!)

Here is our current schedule:

The Sacred Heart Academy
Schedule

7:00 – Mom rises, prepares Dad’s breakfast and lunch
7:30 – Mom eats breakfast, researches Saint of the day
8:00 – Children rise, eat breakfast while Mom reads aloud (we call this Breakfast At The Monastery!)
8:30 – Morning Offering and “10 minute tidy”
9:00 – Classes start

(Mom will start class with morning directions for older students and “Calendar Time” and “Bible Story” for little ones)

12:00 – Lunch
12:30 – Rosary
1:00 – Classes resume, if necessary

(At end of class, each child will receive another “10 minute tidy” assignment)

Free time when school is done!

*Schedule will be altered to accommodate Friday a.m. Mass/Little Flowers Group and Tuesday a.m. Schola – most Fridays, we will not have school, unless we have to substitute for a field trip or sick day.

What is the "10 minute tidy"?

Years ago, I utilized this technique to stay on top of the housework during the course of the school day. The primary goal is to accomplish a great deal of work, with as little effort as possible.

Slips of paper bearing the names of household "problem areas" and four or five "quick fixes" are placed in a jar. For example: the slip of paper has "kitchen" on one side and on the reverse, it contains a list...sweep floor, pick up trash, empty dishwasher, etc.

Twice a day, each child will draw a slip and devote ten, concentrated minutes of effort to the "problem area." I have actually labeled three slips with "10 minutes of folding laundry"...my personal dragon!

Having drawn a slip, each child is quickly excused to accomplish as many tasks as they can on their slip during the 10 minute period, while mom sets the timer. It is simply amazing how very motivated the children are, when the work is broken down into bite-sized pieces. Within minutes the "problem areas" are no longer a problem.

And the real beauty of the "10 minute tidy"? With six young children at home, and two "tidy" periods...I'm getting two hours of concentrated effort for the "price" of twenty minutes. Tidy house, motivated children...happy, happy mommy! Read more!

Frustration. That is what I felt this morning when my 17 yr. old daughter informed me that she had to go into work early. For those of you with older children, I'm sure you recognize the feeling...elation at their growing independence and confidence, frustration at their lack of availability for household responsibilities.

Incredibly, with Meredith's growing independence, I have discovered that there are a few other children in this house who are more than capable of picking up the slack!

Today, quite unexpectedly, the four boys (ages 13, 10, 9 and 7) "stepped up to the plate". I had to take Meredith to work before we had all finished putting away the groceries, and was quite pressed for time. Zachary steps in and says: "Don't worry, Mom, we'll take care of these." I had known they would, but it was nice to have him stop me and assure me that he was "in charge". I took the two little girls with me, as I always do and left the "men" to their work...

Forty minutes later I returned home and nearly had heart failure! Of course, they had put the groceries away...but they had also cleaned the kitchen, wiped down the counters, mopped the floor, taken out the trash, vacuumed the entire downstairs, cleaned the living room and dining room. Zachary even had classical music playing when I entered the house. Amazing! They have always been great helpers and will do whatever I ask (sometimes willingly, sometimes begrudgingly) but their realm has been primarily outside the house. This was such a spontaneous, loving and gentlemanly act requiring no hints or coercion of any kind. It was a lovely surprise!

Once again, I am astonished that all our teaching is taking root. That the next "team" is ready to play its part. That my girls and boys want to serve their family, as they themselves have been served...lovingly and without reservation. Read more!