I have lots to say about our routine. (I always have lots to say.) But today I will try to make it short and sweet.
My favorite thing about our new routine is the evenings. The boys are getting to bed earlier and with more consistency. Having specifics written down seems to have also helped Russ. He has a better idea of what needs to be done in the evening and has been really helpful! The benefit to both of these things is that I get my 'chores' done on time or early. It is incredible to have a whole hour set aside for reading in the evenings. I am loving it!
The downside to getting the boys in bed earlier is that they wake up earlier. At least that makes me get out of bed. The one thing I have not been able to do is get Bible reading done in the morning. If I do it when I first wake up, I'm too drowsy. If I wait until after showering, the kids are already going crazy. So, I've been doing that before going to sleep at night.
Part of what is making our new routine successful is that I was trying to be as realistic as possible when creating it. I could have planned to get to bed early and wake up early, but I know from experience that the evening can be my most productive time. Not only that, but I have zero self-discipline to get myself out of bed in the morning. Especially when I have not had eight (or ten) hours of sleep and it is cold. Nothing like three wide-awake little boys to be my self-discipline. I get the same amount of alone time, whether it is in the morning or evening (unless I further scrimp on sleep--not an option). Why not pick the time that is most likely to be successful?
3 comments:
I completely agree with you about being realistic. I have heard many an argument about "early to bed" and "In the morning, O Lord, I hear your voice" and I agree that either morning or night are equally productive according to personality. I am trying out waking earlier, but I'm not sure how long it can last because it requires going to bed earlier! Yuck! My husband reminded me of a quote that does seem true at our house...makes me laugh..."The first one out of bed rules the day!" I am so glad for you that you are finding what works for your family!
I often succumb to the same guilt of "I really should be getting out of bed earlier." It's just so hard when you've been woken up a few times during the night - for the past few years! :) So I am now focusing a) not feeling guilty on the days that my alarm clock is all three boys and b) getting OUT of bed and tiptoeing downstairs on days when it's just me and Peter awake.
Thanks, ladies! Here's to 'no guilt' about doing what works for us. :)
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