Getting Ready for Next Week

Keeping a home, managing a family and running a homeschool, as many of my readers know, is a full-time job - and then some! There is always just so much that needs to get done, and too many days when it (some of it, all of it) just doesn't. I try to take things a week at a time. 

As much as I love outlining seasons and months, the nitty gritty of everyday life (meals, errands, appointments, lessons, activities) is best handled in small chunks. Weekly life demands closer attention. 

I find having a system for planning and preparing ahead of time is my best shot at maintaining some semblance of order and balance. I'm always tweaking things, looking for ways to make this part of my job easier. There IS no perfect system, I've come to realize (if not quite accept). I can only do what makes sense for me and my family and try my best to keep at it.

With all that said, here's what I do ... more or less ... give or take. ;)

Wednesday

1. Pull out next week's folder from the file crate. Attach a planning sheet. (A planning sheet is just a fancy name for a sheet of this yellow pad I like to use.)

2. Open month @ a glance calendar; look over next week. Note events/appointments on planning sheet.

(Noted for next week: Full Sap Moon, National Mario Day, National Pi Day, Mums' Breakfast, Teen Night activity)

3. Look through current week's folder; pull out anything that can be re-filed into next week's folder (i.e. things that aren't going to get done this week).

 

4. Print out any emails or info. sheets for events next week; file in folder. For instance:

• a recipe for Grasshopper Pie (for National "Pi" Day)
• an email with info. for Bookworm's Teen Group activity
• maple leaf coloring page for Earlybird
• a recipe for Irish brown bread

5. Open library webpage; request any books for next week. (Tuesday is our library run day so I try to request loans this far in advance.) Print library sheets; add to folder.

6. Print out new marketing list for next week. (I'm still tinkering with the basic marketing list spreadsheet. Eventually I hope to have a document stored on my computer that is a list of all our usual groceries/sundries organized aisle-by-aisle.)

*By the way, I keep active weekly folders in the back of my calendar, secured to the back cover with a binder clip:

It keeps the items inside the folders secure, but convenient.

7. Clean kitchen. Go through fridge, freezer and cabinets (because tomorrow is trash day). Note anything that needs to be re-stocked on marketing list. 

8. Empty bathroom trash. Check linen closet for items that need re-stocking. Update marketing list.

9. Organize trash and recycling.

Thursday

1. Put out trash and recycling. (I don't mean to fool anyone into thinking I do this chore - this is all Bill, lol.)

2. Grocery store flyer arrives in morning paper. Read over and note items to purchase on marketing list. 

3. Open week @ a glance page in calendar. (My calendar has both monthly and weekly planning pages.) Write out dinner menus for each day. 

 

4. Begin a lesson plan for next week - individual goals for each subject and child will come later in the weekend. For now, I just think about the themes we're following and any activities/events to incorporate into our home learning. This includes nature study and any liturgical/seasonal crafts or projects. 

5. Note materials needed on marketing list. (For example: Look for Mario-themed cupcake liners at the craft store.)

6. Clean learning room and family room.

Friday

1. Clean out pocketbook; file receipts in bill basket.

2. Organize coupons.

3. Finalize marketing/errands list for tomorrow.

4. Neaten learning room and work areas. Organize school books, notebooks and papers, etc.

5. Prepare newspaper payment envelope for morning.

6. Tidy around house as best as possible before weekend. Friday is usually a quiet at-home day, so I try to get the boys' work done early and then we spend the rest of the day working around the house. It is my goal to enter the weekend with the household caught up as much as possible. 

Weekend

Over the weekend, I do the food shopping and run any other errands early Saturday morning. I try to find a quiet time (or two) on Saturday and/or Sunday to sit down and putter. Puttering would include reading magazines and newspaper sections I've set aside, updating my journal with notes and clippings, going through my "slush pile" and working on projects. I also try to finalize the lesson plans for next week as much as possible.

***

And that, in a nutshell, is how I get ready for the next week. Some weeks, but not all. It's hard to get all these things done, let alone done in this order. I can say though, that the weeks I've planned and prepared in advance are invariably the weeks that run much better for us all. 

Food for thought, anyway! As always, thanks for stopping by today ... I hope you all have a nice weekend. I'll be back again sometime soon. :)

Comments

[Jennie Lou]

Dawn, Can you please let us know the brand of your calendar/planner? Thanks so much!

[Grateful Reader]

Thanks for your planning posts, they've really helped me make some positive changes. I must ask though, what kind of calendar do you have? I never have much luck finding one I like (I'm quite fussy when it comes to such things!). If you wouldn't mind sharing where you got it from, I'd appreciate it :)

[Theresa]

Dawn,

I had your address from the post card swap but can't seem to locate it. I was sure I had put it in a folder in my e-mail program but now can't find it.

We had some extra stickers at Sunday school last week and I thought EB would enjoy them. There are 6 squirrel stickers and I thought I would have Andrew color a picture and send off the stickers for EB. Could you re-send your address to me? Thanks ♥

[Christi]

As always, you continue to inspire me. Thanks so much for sharing how you do things!

[Emma Weiglin]

Dear Dawn.
Many blessings and happy hellos from the land of Elsa Beskow !
It is by her books I found your blog,and it has ment soo much to me during the past weeks. Is there a way i may write to you in a little more private way ?
I am 42 year old Catholic married lady,a "used to be librarian "who now enjoy life as a homemaker ,have tree children,one who need more spesial care,and i would love to be friends! Many happy thoughts from a scandinavian sister-
Yours,Emma

emmaweiglin@gmail.com

[Janna]

Thank you so much for sharing how you organize--I never get tired of hearing all that you do, and the gracious way you go about it. Who knew planning and organizing could look so beautiful! But it does, and every post you have inspires me to "tweak" things some more.

[Kay]

I realy enjoy, and look forward to, reading your posts on organization. You do a good job of it ... compared to me!! I really do not know where to start, so I have to glean inspiration from others, and many of your systems just make sence to me, whereas some other systems do not.

Thank you for taking the time to share, (what may seem so random, boring and uninteresting) this great info with all us readers!

[Kristi]

Thanks again, as always, for more great ideas! You definitely inspire me :).

[Dawn]

Hello Dawn...great post. What calendar do you use? I like the fact that you have a calendar for all your homeschooling needs and home needs.

[Marya]

I wonder if I will ever get this write! I will reread and try some of your suggestions, though.

[Rain]

This was really helpful. Thanks so much!

[KatieButler]

Dawn, I enjoy all of your posts, but especially the ones on household managemet. I don't homeschool, but I enjoy doing various liturgical crafts/activities with my children but often don't think of it until it's too late.

I also enjoy decorating my lists and calendar pages with stickers...I think it's a throwback to my sticker-collecting days as a child.

[Sarah]

I resigned myself months ago that I would NEVER be as organized by you....but now I feel triumph because I have a marketing list, aisle by aisle for our local grocery store :)

[ketylina]

Thank you for always sharing such good advice! Your posts have inspired me and motivated me to make some good/positive changes in our home... God bless you, Dawn.

[mamalion]

WOW! Now if I could just figure out a plan that would work with 3 more kids than you have, instead of sheer survival, we'd be in great shape. Off to print this entry..

[Gina]

I love your planning posts, too. Thanks for sharing.

[Mary Ann Bernard]

Dawn I just love your posts on planning!

[Christin P]

Great ideas and inspiration you have there, Dawn! Thanks so much for sharing!

[Jane]

That's increadible! I'm so impressed. I'm going to try to implement some of your ideas into my "schedule"(notice the quotations):)

[Amelia]

Wow! We will be celebrating more "zany" holidays starting with Mario day next week. Thanks for the inspiration!

[Nadja]

I am in awe...