Several years ago I came across a book called Homeschooling: A Patchwork of Days. In this book, approximately thirty families share what a “typical” day looks like in their home. They vary widely in terms of where they live, curriculum, number of children, types of homes, etc. It was very interesting to read. I picked it up this morning so I could share this tidbit with you from the chapter called “A Comedy of Wishful Thinking”:

During a radio show, we were recently asked the question: “What is a typical homeschooling day for your family?” Our initial response was, “There really isn’t one!” Then I sat guiltily thinking about how other more organized “superfamilies” might manage to tick off an impressive list of educational activities, and not only two or three days a week for perhaps a few hours a day, but daily and with an orderly schedule–beginning with the older children being tutored by their father for an hour before breakfast, studying geography, history and languages. Following breakfast they would have two hours of formal class time used to teach spelling, grammar, phonics, and arithmetic, to introduce a new topic, assigning work pages and checking problem areas. Before lunch would be physical education/remedial time. In the afternoon, the children would have two hours of quiet, by themselves time followed by a session for music, remedial work and finishing assignments. Next, playtime with neighbourhood children before an early supper. Then a family activity. They would have a review session before bed, leaving a couple of hours of reading, relaxing and conversation time for the parents…

Meanwhile, back to us lesser mortals. Despite many organizational strategies and educational plans, our typical day needs to be broken down into two categories: the ideal scenario (WISH) and what actually happens (REALITY). However, each day usually begins with the thought: “Today things will be different!”

Can I have an amen?

I have come to the conclusion that this is an area in which God is not going to allow me to be successful because He wants me to be dependent on Him. I say that in all seriousness, with no jesting. We’ve prayed about it, we’ve strategized, we’ve made commitments, and it simply does not work. I have to believe that God has a bigger purpose in my sanctification than keeping a nice schedule.

The ironic thing is that David and I have never kept a schedule. We are completely fly by the seat of our pants. We are organized and stay on top of things around the house, projects for clients, etc. But we have never kept a normal schedule. We do what needs to be done when it needs to be done.

But you hear so much about how children thrive on schedules so I took it seriously. I really tried to help her get into a schedule. David and I have tried to adjust our lives to accommodate her needs. But I think Caroline must have too much of her daddy and me in her and she is just not one to be scheduled. Either that or God is overriding her need.

So today I am choosing to no longer feel guilty about this. And I do feel a lot of guilt over this. I have for months and months. I keep thinking I must be doing something wrong, I must not be trying hard enough, blah blah blah.

The last straw was this morning when we set our alarm for 5:00 so we could have a couple of productive hours before Caroline got up. Guess who was WIDE AWAKE at 5:00? Guess who was still WIDE AWAKE after a diaper change and a bottle?

I just give up.

So I am officially announcing we do not keep a schedule here. And we are not going to try any longer.

So sue me.

This is so fascinating! Be sure to click on the picture to see the entire picture. It is interesting to look at the list of food and contemplate what ISN’T on the list. And just the sheer amount of food there. And how small the shopping cart is.

It would be great if someone would do the same thing now with the typical family of four. I know I did link to a photo essay that was somewhat similar a while back…

Enjoy!

I’ve decided that I’m going to change my comment verbage to “25 gracious friends and 1 hit and miss hostess have shared their thoughts.”

Is it really possible that Christmas is two weeks from tomorrow?

I’ve been reading all the great comments coming through the past several days and every time I think I’m going to sit down and respond or write a post, something else comes up and I don’t get to it. So here is the run down of all the post topics I’ve wanted to write about or mention in the past couple of weeks and didn’t have time to do so.

For those who said they miss Sallie’ Stack… I do too. I haven’t give up on it and anticipate I will be back at it sometime soon. I’ve done very little surfing lately and that carries over to the Stack.

Yesterday David and Caroline and I did the Advent reading and lit the candles at church. We were blessed to be asked to participate.

I finally had to get rid of my navy Bass penny loafers. I don’t even remember when I bought them. I had them when we moved in this house six years ago and they were already old at that point. Actually I would still be wearing them but they hurt my feet now. My feet changed with the pregnancy and some shoes I just cannot wear any longer. I was in deep mourning when I finally acknowledged that I have to stop wearing them because I can’t find anything like them anywhere else. Stupid, I know, but I love those shoes!

Yesterday I wore one of my very favorite outfits to church. This is a big deal because last winter I could not wear it at all. It was snug, but it looked fine. Slowly I’m getting back to where I was when I got pregnant. (And the operative word there is SLOWLY…)

This week I’m hosting my Bible study for our Christmas party. I enjoying having people over so I’m looking forward to this. None of the ladies at our new/old church have been to our home before so this will be a nice way to have them all over at once.

And in the interest of full disclosure…

I haven’t ironed my sheets the past four weeks when I’ve washed them.

We now have our TV in the living room, hooked up to the DVD player but no reception.

I think we are going to baptize Caroline.

So there you have it! Everything I haven’t had time to write about in recent days. I’ll be putting up a new poll soon so check back for that! And I’m going to try to respond to some of the comments I haven’t been able to get to in recent days.

Here’s a reader question I received yesterday. Can you help Sue in Wisconsin? She wrote:

I’d like to hear from your readers about cookie presses after spending a frustrating afternoon trying to make spritz with a cheap plastic gun.

All you cookie press people out there… Any suggestions?

I have a couple of nice cookie presses that are metal of some kind, inherited from my grandma.  They are like the one my mom has used as long as I can remember.  Has anyone bought one recently they would recommend?

Thanks! 

Here is a wonderful post from Kelli at The Sparrow’s Nest. If you don’t read her blog regularly, she and her husband are in the midst of carrying out a significant choice to downsize. Here’s a bit from the post:

Trying to let go of things is not an easy task. When looking at the 50 percent of things we do not need, I am frequently faced with pangs of guilt surrounding these items. First of all, I feel guilt the fact that we actually bought things that we did not need. Secondly, I feel guilt over the waste of hard-earned money. Thirdly, I feel guilt about letting these unnecessary items go. After all, aren’t they worth something after all?

I can so relate to this. I have struggled with this as well, especially in the first years we were getting rid of things and downsizing. And I still struggle with it at times, although not as much because we purchase much less than we used to and have become much more strategic in our buying habits.

Choosing to live with less is sometimes hard. Not because it is inherently difficult, but because you are constantly swimming against the tide both culturally and in our human nature. There are still times I long for another bedroom, another office, a bigger basement, a bigger yard, newer cars, more trips, a two car garage, a fireplace, etc. But the truth of the matter is we have everything we NEED now and a whole lot more. Yes, it would be nice to have more and in some ways it would make life around here a little easier. But as I have said before, I just remind myself that I can have all those things. For us it would necessitate probably moving out of our home state, both of us working full-time, my going back to finish my Masters degree, putting Caroline in daycare, and rarely being together as a family. NOTHING on that list of things I wish I had comes even close to tempting me to make those choices when I contemplate what I would have to sacrifice. But regularly reminding myself that I have a choice does make it easier when I can feel the temptation to be discontent rising up.

I am so looking forward to reading how God leads the Wilt family in the months ahead!

Amie wanted to know of any good coupon sites online. She didn’t specify if she was looking for anything in particular so I’m sure she would enjoy hearing about any and all you would care to share.

So please leave a comment and share your favorite places to find your finds!

Thanks!

I’ve been thinking lately about how there are some parts of taking care of your home you do because you enjoy it and others you do because they just have to be done. Cleaning the house falls into the “just have to be done” category for me. I clean because I have to. Truth be told, I’d hire a house cleaner in a heartbeat if I could afford it. Although I have to say that the idea of someone I don’t know poking around my house kind of bothers me.

So does anyone have a house cleaner? I think I remember reading that Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer does, but don’t remember any other bloggers or commenters mentioning it. Don’t have one but fantasize about having one? Please vote and feel free to leave a comment!