When we homeschooled, I found that a routine worked better for us than a schedule. A routine helped to develop a rhythm for the home; it gave structure with grace. A schedule meant we were bound by time. There was no rhythm. It was just a rush to get to the next task or subject. You see, a routine is a sequence of regularly followed actions. Where a schedule is a set time and place, actions occur. A routine provides grace when things happen outside your control. This includes when the kids are sick. It also covers when your spouse forgets his lunch, and you have to run it to them. Sometimes, you wake up and don’t feel great yourself. Your routine is something you follow regularly, but it’s not set in stone, rigid, or unchangeable. If a task or a subject takes a little longer than usual, it’s no big deal. You simply move on to the next task or subject, regardless of the time. A routine gives space to develop habits. A changing schedule leaves no space to create a habit. Once the time has passed due to an interruption, you just move past that time. You skip that task or habit you are trying to develop. With a routine, nothing has to be skipped unless you choose to. Let your routine give freedom. Avoid turning it into a strict schedule. This approach helps you set the rhythm of your home.
A routine isn’t a license to not have structure or discipline. We all need structure to develop discipline. Habits are best developed within a routine. For example, I am trying to build the habit of drinking more water. I have incorporated into my routine to drink 16 ounces of water every morning. This happens when I take my dog outside. I then drink another 16 ounces on my way to the gym. This new habit is just part of my routine. I have fallen off the wagon a few times, yes, but I just got back on the next day. Eventually, this will just be a part of my routine.
Leave a Reply