So today is Saturday because I just really needed to sleep in and didn't get up till 7:00 this morning.
Trying to focus on getting the girls through their schoolwork has been a bit challenging with my sweet little Levi and Deacon wanting to be a part of every activity, and the noise those two can generate. It was becoming enough to make me feel incapable of doing all I needed to do because they interrupted the process so much.
It's great that they ask over and over excitedly to do their "math" too, but I would turn in circles trying to keep them occupied and happy every five seconds.
So one overemotional Sunday afternoon as I cried over how I just don't know how to do all I'm supposed to do every day, I decided, "I just need time to focus with the girls when the boys are taken care of. Naptime is quiet but isn't long enough..." and then this revelation hit me. The girls and I would start getting up super early in the morning while the boys were still asleep and take advantage of those quiet hours to get their schoolwork done.
So that Monday and ever since, I've been waking up between 4 and 5 a.m., getting the girls up, we trudge down the stairs in our cozy robes, sweats, and slippers, eat some breakfast and get going on schoolwork. It has worked out well, the girls have been real troopers and usually actually think it's kind of fun to get up so early and have one on one time with mom. I worried they might be too tired to think well, but they have been alert and doing great. We each have our grumpy moments of course, but it helps to have something fun like hot cocoa or cinnamon/sugar toast. And the best part is we really do get hours of quiet, and are able to complete everything in about 3 1/2 - 4 hours, always by about 8:30. And I didn't realize how long it'd been since I saw a sunrise, which is worth waking up for.
Here's one from the other day from our upstairs window.
It's also been an interestingly satisfying feeling to see the neighbors loading their kids up for school as we are just getting done for the day, and to head up to the shower with the whole day ahead of us to play, go to the park, do art projects, whatever we want. I do Isaac's kindergarten work with him in the afternoon after lunch, either while Levi and Deacon nap, or the girls play with them outside, or they join in for an activity or two. We need an occasional nap, and an occasional Saturday/Wednesday swap to re-energize, but I'm enjoying this routine. I feel like the hours in my day have multiplied and I get so much more done. 
5 comments:
Oh I am not a morning person. Where do you get the motivation to get up that early? I wish, I wish. Maybe knowing you can do it will motivate me. I always want more hours in my day but then I can't get up in the morning.
Wow Stephi!! I am sooo impressed with you! I was reading your post and it brought me to tears alittle bit, not just cause I am pregnant, though that is a major part of it, =), but also because of your love and dedication as a mother. You have always been sooo amazing to me, how you do it I don't know! I brag about you a lot! I have always looked up to you and will always! You are an amazing mother and wife, and you work so hard...that is part of the reason I got teared up. =) I love you!
I am so glad that you figured out a plan! I will need to come to you for advice on how to balance all the kids and your own time. I am struggling right now, but reading your blog gives me hope that I can do this too. I am not homeschooling yet, but your such a example! Thanks!
It sounds like you have found a great fit! It's always hard for me to wake early in the morning, but I LOVE the quiet time when I do. Rob and I have time to play around on the computers or whatever before the kids get up for school and it's just nice :)
Oh and BEAUTIFUL sunrise!!!
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