Now that I am four months into motherhood of three, I am still clinging to routine like a lifeline. I have a feeling inside of me that is almost manic in trying to create a routine or chart or list for
everything in my life. It feels like if I can just get everything organized, I can stay on top of it. On one hand, there is truth in that. With more children comes more demands for the homemaker to be diligently on top of things. But there also is a pathetic hubris in trying to control everything: we all know that joke: "If you want to make God laugh, make plans!"
These days I am living by lists taped up all over the house:
There is my Routine of the Day.
And my meal plan (plus my grocery list, organized by store--not pictured).
I am updating John's Chore Chart, and above is the current draft in progress. He's going to be learning some new chores and we're going to try having Family Chore Time for about 20 minutes every afternoon!
I'm keeping track of school time each day with the wonderful white board . . .
. . . and with a list of this month's curriculum plans, as well as a calendar recording what I
actually achieved in school that day.
Then there is also our family Gmail calendar (with different colors for his, hers, ours, and gardening), the liturgical calendar on the wall, the family to do list on the refrigerator, and my list of prayer intentions upstairs.
Sometimes I worry that God will find a way to take away all my lists. Really, it makes me shudder.
Anyway, I think about how different women would respond differently to a new stress, like now having three little ones (which really is not many compared to my community, but it's the most kids
I've ever had!). I'm reacting by exercising more and more control while others might react by being more and more relaxed--all depending on factors like temperament of mom, temperament of her husband, age and spacing of her kids, circumstances in home, and myriad other things I can't think of.
Perhaps I could make a formal list of those factors right now and tape it up somewhere . . .
I'm inspired by your organization! I often want to make lists, but it never works out. Even my grocery list is a quick note in my phone. I think I need another eipsode of Hoarders- every time I see that show I get a little more organized. Slowly but surely right?!
ReplyDeleteMeghan: I really enjoy watching "Hoarders" and "Hoarding" (two different networks). Afterward I always make a run to donate items at Goodwill!
ReplyDeleteTry living in a house that was once owned by real hoarders and then having to clear out all the dumpsterloads of junk yourself with a baby strapped to you and two toddlers running around...my husband did much of the work, but it was brutal! THAT made me throw away TONS of my own stuff. I never ever want to end up like that or to put my kids through that when I die!
ReplyDeleteThe last line made me laugh... :) I *want* to have plans and lists and all that... but them I am afraid that once I've made the plan I won't live up to it. ...Although that line from Large Family Logistics plays in my head "If you don't have a plan/goal you are aiming at nothing and consistently reaching it." Ouch! So true! Well I have been planning to plan for quite some time now, and I did sketch out a few things and need to 'plan' for more 'planning time' so that I can finalize my plans...
ReplyDeleteLol, I tend to watch Hoarders online after bedtime, and it makes me feel SO ineffective. 10 PM is NOT the best time to start weeding out closets!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I feel like my organizational tendencies (I AM a librarian, after all!) have petered out further with each child. I have all these lists in my head (3 AM nursing tends to be inspirational), but they don't seem to get translated to paper or action! I have a few goals before school "officially" starts in a few weeks, and this year I'm determined to meet them.
have you heard of Flylady? She teaches organization by creating routines. She has you create a control journal to keep all of your lists. Check her out flylady.net
ReplyDeleteBest of all her website is Free!
Most times I feel that if I were to
ReplyDeleteactually write down my "to-do" list, I would jump off my three-
story roof! So, aside from a few
scrawled notes...sufficient unto the day. I am pleased to have just
posted two "offers" on Freecycle after spending two serious blocks of time today in the cellar ..and try not to think of all that is still in need of doing.