STEP 2: Add a Little Structure

What we noticed first
"We" have a problem, too
Fixing it:
STEP 1: Create Family Rules

Step 2: Add a Little Structure

I am a person that likes structure. I like to plan and know what is coming next. It's just the way it is. Will may be the same way as these "open play" summer days are just not working for us.

Jeff took this past Friday off and the oldest boys spent the night at Grandmother's. We took the "quiet" time to really talk about the direction of our family and how we need to be training our boys better than we have been.

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.

So, we came up with the Family Rules in Step 1 to begin with. We try to work the words in green into our day and our disciple to help teach the concepts of respect, staying calm, obeying, etc. So far it has really been working well. I am quite pleased!

For me, training also includes adding more structure to our day. So...

I got out my control journal (wiped off the dust) and revamped our daily routine to include daily bible reading (I know this should have already been there!), some sort of schooling to help Will keep up with it for Kindergarten and prepare Nathan for two days of preschool, and also some leg stretches to hopefully ward off those tiptoes before Will turns 8! None of the routine is rigid... we still go with the flow, but with a bit of an outline to help us stay on track with what needs to be done.

I not only updated the boy's daily routine, but mine as well. Giving myself time to do everything I need to get done. I included an earlier wake up time and even a bed time for myself. I need to be rested to properly take care of the boys. My mornings are VERY busy now, but at the end of the day I feel better about myself for connecting with the boys and keeping up better with my home.

Proverbs 31

15 She rises while it is yet night
and provides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.

26She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

There's lots more in Proverbs 31, but I can't work on it all at once. ;) This is still such a new process and of course it's not perfect, but the outline works (when I follow it).

Here's the goal (again from Proverbs 31):

28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all.”