Day 1: The Importance of Having a Daily Rhythm

This week we are talking about simplifying your homeschool.  Now that we're halfway through the year, you might be feeling a little burnt out (I know I am!).  The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to try something new so why not try simplifying things a little?  We can all use a little less stress and a lot more peace in our days, yes?



So let's get started by talking about the importance of having a daily rhythm. 

Rhythm is the natural flow in your day.  It is the daily routine that both you and your child can rely on for consistency.   It is not the same thing as a schedule, so make sure you don't treat it as such.  Don't put yourself on time constraints or treat it as a check list of things that must be completed.  It should be fluid and flexible.  If it doesn't feel natural or you find yourself fighting against it, you probably need to re-evaluate and change it up.  Think of it as a kind of ongoing thing. 

When we've got a good rhythm to our days, everything is more peaceful.  I'm less stressed because I know that there is time for everything that I want to get done and it takes the guesswork out of my day.  The kids always know what is coming next and we are able to transition from one activity to the next without tears or frustration (well...usually at least.  I've got four kids. Some crying is sort of par for the course).   We can all relax in the comfort of a familiar routine.  

It's not hard to make sure your days have a healthy rhythm.  It takes some time and patience to get it right and you should be willing to make changes along the way but once you get the concept down, you'll notice a difference in your home life.  And it will be so, so worth it.  When you always know what your day is going to look like, things are a lot simpler.

Things to Keep in Mind When Trying to Implement a Daily Rhythm

Don't expect things to fall perfectly into place on the first day.  This isn't like creating a schedule that lays your day out for you in colour coded time blocks (even though the type A in me thinks that sounds divine).  It should feel natural and, in order to get to that peaceful place, its going to take some time.  Once you have your rhythm all figured out, feel free to write it down on a pretty routine chart because hey, who doesn't like a nice looking schedule posted on their fridge (my husband says that's just me).  Just don't start with a written out schedule and try to force it on yourself.  That never works.

Start first by taking the time to observe your days without any meddling. Take note of the general order of events.  Is there consistency or does every day look totally different?  Are there certain activities that set the schedule for the rest of the day?

Notice which  parts of your day are already consistent and then you can start to build on those.  Start by ensuring that the cornerstones of your day (those activities that are absolutely necessary; like eating and sleeping) are happening at similar times each day.  Slowly begin adding activities and observe how and when they fit best into your day. 

Pay special attentions to problem areas.  Watch to see if there are certain activities that usually add stress or cause tension.  Try to figure out what is causing that and experiment with ways to fix it.  For example, maybe your craft time is always a mess because you have a toddler that isn't quite ready to join in with this activity but really, really wants to!  Perhaps it would be better to do crafts while the toddler is having his or her nap. If you are lucky enough to have a toddler that does that sort of thing...

Lastly, keep in mind that your rhythm will change.  If you notice that things aren't as smooth as they normally would be, take a look at what isn't working and make the changes necessary to bring peace back into your day. 

As time goes on, you will begin to notice that things flow more smoothly and that there is less tension and stress.  There will be no need to adhere to a strict timeline or rush children through their activities.   Your children will take comfort in knowing what the day holds and you will be able to relax in the knowledge that things can and will get done.  And while having a good rhythm doesn't ensure that every day will be perfect (no day ever is), it will certainly eliminate unnecessary problems.

Having a good, solid rhythm will make your days a whole lot simpler.

Click the image below to see what the other bloggers of the iHomeschool Network are talking about in their 5 Day Series.  I promise, you'll be glad you did!