*~*GOOD MORNING Girls its Monday the 16th of July*~*~*, *~*A New Week Begins! WooHoo!!*~* Options

[*~*~*~*Jilly*~*~...]

Good Morning Precious Girls, I am starting early,I want to get into doing Joshua's bedroom there is so much to do but I will start with the sanding back walls and painting them!
I hope you all have the best Monday ever!!!

*~*~Jilly's To Do List *~*~*

Morning Routine:

Make Breakfast ♥
Breakfast ♥
Prayer Time ♥
Medication ♥
Feed Anna/Belle ♥
Anna/Belle in out ♥

Puter Time:

Read E-mails
Read Blogs ♥
Read News ♥
Make Phone calls ♥
Face Book ♥

Family Things:

Work on home ♥

*~*Jilly's Time*~*

Shower/Wash Hair
Dress to shoes ♥
Hair & Make-up ♥
Perfume ♥
Jewellery ♥
Home Up Keep:

Time out Shopping:

Woolies ♥

Kitchen:

Apron on
Fill sink with hot soapy water ♥
Unpack dishwasher ♥
Put dishes away ♥
Baking 1 2 3
What is for dinner?
Prepare all trays; Cutlery Salt Serviettes
A quick tidy up 5 minutes
Dish Ice-cream
Re-stake dishwasher
Rubbish out
Recycling out
Sweep floor
Dishwasher on

Ant's & My Bedroom:

Make bed

Joshua's Bedroom:

Make bed ♥

Bathroom:

S & S Bathroom
Mt. Washmore:

Take Mt. Washmore to laundry
Sort Mt. Washmore
Mt. Washmore on 1 2 3 4
Mt. Washmore in dryer 1 2 3 4
Mt. Foldmore 1 2 34 4
Mt. Foldmore away 1 2 34

Garden:

Check Ponds ♥
Fill ponds if needed ♥
Feed fish ♥

Lounge Room:

Tidy ♥
Sweep floor
Tidy couch's ♥
Lay fire
Light fire

Dining Room:

15 Minute Tidy Table 1 ♥ 2 ♥ 3 ♥

Laundry:

Dust
Tidy
Sweep floor

Evening Routine:

Evening Med's
Clothes out for Tomorrow
Post Tomorrow's to do list
S & S Bathroom after Joshua's shower
15 Minute hotspot patrol
Bed side lights on
Dinner
Ice-cream Time
Down Time with Antony & Knitting
Tuck Joshua in
In bed @ 11:00pm Jilly NO later!!!
oxoxooxoxoxooxoxoo

[Elizabeth36]

Hi Jilly, Thanks for opening and for your kind wishes. I'm now on board to aim for my best Monday ever, too!

I've been tinkering with routines.

My morning routine is now make bed and dress to shoes. Breakfast mostly takes care of itself because the kids are focussed on breakfast just about as soon as they get up (no chance of forgetting it, really).

My other jobs, I trying to sort according to zones, rather than times of day. What ha been happening was I wasn't getting through my morning routine, then feeling bad about it or thinking it didn't fit. With the above plan, I can always do it.

So far then, my other routines are:

My bathroom routine - S & S each bathroom or at least check it's decent each day when I'm in there

My kitchen routine - Unstack, Stack & Run DW; Clear and clean benches; Sweep floor

Before bed routine (not working yet, beyond vaguely thinking about tomorrow) - lay out clothes, pack bags (hand bag, nappy bag, errands etc.), go to bed at a decent hour

Clean clothes routine - needed

Anyway, feedback appreciated and I'll keep in touch about what's working and what's not.

Today, it's appointments in the morning - DDad is driving and looking after DS2 while I'm with DS6; quick shop; home for lunch and DS2's nap; visit DMum this evening.

In between appointments I need to tackle paid work, tax prep, office tidy, phone calls, clean clothes away, pack suitcase for DMum for when she gets out of intensive care, declutter something (there is so much choice here )

I hope you all have a great day

[Cuppa Coffee]

Good Morning everyone - off to work for me soon.


am bit sad atm, went to cafe church yesterday evening, found out a lady who goes there too was found dead in her home on Tues, died of a sudden heart attack.

She was 78 but relatively fit and active - saw her at church only a fortnight ago.
She was getting changed to go out to lunch, her husband thought she's taking a long time getting ready, went in to check on her and she was dead

Funeral is Wednesday, am hoping I can get time off work to go.

[Elasti Girl]

Good Morning Girls,

Jilly - enjoy your day.

Elizabeth - my best advice is always do your before bed routine first. Even if it’s simple, it makes a BIG difference in the morning.
Some things that have helped me with laundry-
- I only have 1 basket. I need it for each stage of the washing, so what’s in it has to be dealt with before I can do the next.
- We don’t have a lot of clothes & the kids only have 2 uniforms each - so they have to be washed, dried & put away every day.
- DH’s uniform gets washed daily = less ironing daily.
- I don’t sort colours - it all gets chucked in together - but if it’s something new I usually handwash it a few times to be sure it’s colourfast. HTH.

Cuppa - I’m so sorry to hear that. My thoughts are with you.

I’ve been steadily working my routines too & a basic weekly plan.
I’m going slowly atm because I’ve got DH still on holidays, DS’ MRI scheduled for next week & DH’s family coming next weekend. Re-visiting the babysteps I now know where my weaknesses are & can work on them.
Monday: Babystep Day 26

To Do’s:
Morning Routine:
Make bed
Check your laundry
Dress to shoes; hair & face; brush teeth
S&S
eat breakfast
take meds
lunchboxes & feed pump
Put out your Hot Spots for two minutes

What’s for dinner? P&V - baked chicken wings & veg
Declutter 15 min - zone 3
Check your laundry
Book pest control
sort pile of mail
vacuum
mop
clean DS’ room

Desk Work:
Check bank balances/record receipts
Check the calendar & write a To Do list for tmrw

Afternoon Routine:
empty schoolbags & repack
3.30pm feed on & kids snacks

Before-Bed Routine:
Keep the sink shining
Dishwasher
Take meds
Take out meat to defrost
Clothes for tomorrow
Put out your Hot Spot
Check your laundry
Wash face/Brush teeth
Bed by 10pm

Have a good day

[shellie196]

Good Morning Jilly, Elizabeth, ElastiGirl and all the lovely ladies to come

Another sunny morning here today. I'm certain without much searching I can find a load of washing to put on.

Yesterday I finally went to DMum's and did her grocery shopping and dropped off her washing. Home in time for lunch. Made homemade roast pumpkin and carrot soup which was lovely for dinner. Canned Cream of Chicken soup for the non pumpkin liker's. Washing off the line and several baskets folded. BUT still not much ironing tackled.

DH and DS18 put the old lounges out on the footpath for council clean up so that is a big space made in the garage.

So today, focus must be on the ironing. It feels like the biggest weight hanging over my head. Lots of other things need doing but ironing is the most annoying thing. Last day of school hols here, so DD14 goes back tomorrow. Big kids still have the rest of this week off Uni. DH is having his regular Monday off.

Elizabeth, I think if you change the name to Daily Routine instead of Morning Routine, the pressure is off to have it completed by a certain time. The key to the daily routine is it's the things that keep your home running smoothly between WHB and Zone Cleaning (when you get to it).

So for me, Up and Dressed, Make Bed(kids in charge of their own), S&S x1 (2 if lucky), Load a Day (working on start to finish), What's for Dinner?, Unstack and Restack dishwasher (unstacking is a kid task), Empty dishdrainer, Clean benches after breakfast and again after dinner and shine sink. Wash dishes by hand during dinner prep. These are the absolute basics. Then bonuses would be Room Rescue of living areas (Lounge, Dining, Family Room) just 5 or 10 mins straightening up, putting items back in there place, removing clutter.

Then on top of that I have certain days of the week which I do other chores. It doesn't always work like this but it's a plan

Monday - change sheets on main bed (kids do there own on weekend), Empty bins (part of WHB), maybe dust

Tuesday - WHB (part 1)

Wednesday - WHB(part 2) , groceries

Thursday - Perhaps Zone(when things are running smoothly) busy evening out and about, slow cooker night

Friday - Friday FLYaround with Vac, Declutter Car and Handbag

Saturday - is usually a big washing day with towels and sheets

Sunday - Whatever comes my way.

I hope this helps

[ausmumof2]

Hi ladies,

Nice to see you all!

Elizabeth, I'm glad your Mum is recovering well. Hope she continues. I'm hearing you on the kids front. My kids have too much stuff, and I contribute to the problem because I can't resist a bargain... and so the constant explosion of toys and clothes! They just don't care for or look after anything. DS5 is getting slightly better but still not great.

Elasti glad the baby steps are helping to get things sorted.

My routines are really awol right now, there has just been too too much going on in my life, even the small extra things that are routines are too much. And yet I know if they are in place everything else is easier. School is meant to start today, but as a dear friends kids at private school are having a pupil free day I decided so are we! The kids have done some school type stuff in the holidays anyway. I am dressed to the shoes and the sink shines... but the clutter is taking over!

Thanks for the advice/support - Shellie, I really appreciate your SAHM comments, we're in the same place - it works for us - having to pay private school fees and childcare would negate any income I was capable of earning well and truly anyway, its just... tough. I think if everything was together and clean and tidy I'd feel OK about it, but it seems like working friends have cleaner homes than I do! Actually they probably do, because they don't have kids in them all day long...

Anyway, they are the small things in life.

Cuppa I am sorry to hear about your friend from church... it must have been a real shock for her husband. Hope you get the time off you need.

[shellie196]

My routines are really awol right now, there has just been too too much going on in my life, even the small extra things that are routines are too much. And yet I know if they are in place everything else is easier. School is meant to start today, but as a dear friends kids at private school are having a pupil free day I decided so are we! The kids have done some school type stuff in the holidays anyway. I am dressed to the shoes and the sink shines... but the clutter is taking over!

Thanks for the advice/support - Shellie, I really appreciate your SAHM comments, we're in the same place - it works for us - having to pay private school fees and childcare would negate any income I was capable of earning well and truly anyway, its just... tough. I think if everything was together and clean and tidy I'd feel OK about it, but it seems like working friends have cleaner homes than I do! Actually they probably do, because they don't have kids in them all day long...

Your very welcome. Happy to offer support anytime.

BUT I do have a question about home schooling. Please DO NOT see this as a judgement, it is just I don't see you list public school as an option. Why is this?

I suppose my attitude towards it stems from my dad being a public school teacher (primary) and both DH and myself and now our children having attended ONLY public school. I believe we have all received a good education, something that as a family we value. We have been lucky with the kids, going through both primary and high school in the 'top' class. At our high school this is not only relevant to academic results but also behaviour. The smartest kid in the class would be removed from top class if behaviour was disruptive.

There have been occasions that the kids have been exposed to people (kids) that we would not associate with, but it has taught them how to handle different people (and some of these kids were very different ). They have been exposed to all walks of life and realize just how lucky them are. Our primary school had a special ed unit and our kids interacted with these kids and learned to be kind and caring TO ALL.

I find all 3 have ended up being very selective about who they spend time with. There have been very few occasions that I have had to 'ban' a person from their lives, usually the kids work it out themselves.

I have always said, a good kid will do well, no matter where they go. And a shocker will always be a shocker (even if there parents can afford private school).

As I said, NO JUDGEMENT intended. Just wondering and wanting to share my experience.

[ausmumof2]

Not negating public school at all! The local one is pretty good I think, but DH is against the idea as he was in with the wrong crowd way back when (drugs etc... he never got into it himself but some of his buddies did). I had a pretty bad time at the public primary school I went to (as did a lot of other kids) but I think that was because it was a HUGE school with huge classes. First three years were OK then I got streamed into a different class from my existing friend group and had a pretty bad time for a bit. Eventually moved schools and things were OK at the new school, then moved again, homeschooled for three years (including one of school of the air), then three years at private school. (that is a pretty mixed up education really). I guess for me looking back, the three years of homeschooling were the three years I enjoyed most of all (we were part of a co-op so plenty of interaction with friends) though there are things about my time at private school that I loved as well - music groups, drama etc. that can't be replicated well at home.

I guess it comes back to the fact that I learned more in three years of homeschool than the rest of my school education and enjoyed being able to socialise with a variety of people not just peer to peer, and I'd love to give my kids the same opportunity. Plus I don't want to quit because its tough right now, because I know as bubs grows up it will get easier.

But I know that if it doesn't work out there are other good options out there as well. I just don't want to give up six months in, during what is probably going to be the hardest year of all.

[shellie196]

Not negating public school at all! The local one is pretty good I think, but DH is against the idea as he was in with the wrong crowd way back when (drugs etc... he never got into it himself but some of his buddies did). I had a pretty bad time at the public primary school I went to (as did a lot of other kids) but I think that was because it was a HUGE school with huge classes. First three years were OK then I got streamed into a different class from my existing friend group and had a pretty bad time for a bit. Eventually moved schools and things were OK at the new school, then moved again, homeschooled for three years (including one of school of the air), then three years at private school. (that is a pretty mixed up education really). I guess for me looking back, the three years of homeschooling were the three years I enjoyed most of all (we were part of a co-op so plenty of interaction with friends) though there are things about my time at private school that I loved as well - music groups, drama etc. that can't be replicated well at home.

I guess it comes back to the fact that I learned more in three years of homeschool than the rest of my school education and enjoyed being able to socialise with a variety of people not just peer to peer, and I'd love to give my kids the same opportunity. Plus I don't want to quit because its tough right now, because I know as bubs grows up it will get easier.

But I know that if it doesn't work out there are other good options out there as well. I just don't want to give up six months in, during what is probably going to be the hardest year of all.

Thanks for explaining. I guess there are lots of people with lots of different experiences. And that influences choices we make for our kids.

My primary school was pretty small and lovely, just one class per year. High School was very different, 6 or 7 classes per year.

DKids 1st primary school had 500 kids and 2nd only had 120+. DKids High School only has 500 in the whole school Yr's 7 to 12, so very small by modern standards. Yrs 11 and 12 were great as some classes only had between 5 and 10 kids per class. Better than a lot of private schools can offer.

I'm sure, like I said, good kids will do well, no matter where they go. And home schooling could well be that place

And you are right, empty houses stay much tidier and cleaner than full ones. I'd rather have a full house.