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Keeping On A Schedule?

Hey all,

OK, so i just got done listening to a great CD on how to spend our time. In it, she discusses how time is our most precious resource and that it is not ours to do whatever we want with, but rather to steward. The thing is, she really stressed the importance of having a schedule and of turning down random things that pop up if they aren't beneficial for the family.

I am wondering if this is what we all must do?? My husband works different shifts every week (as in one week he has 3 days off and one week he works all overnight shifts and sleeps all day) so i am wondering how making a schedule would be of any good? I am also wondering if a schedule and planning out all hours of the day will make for a lack of fun in our home. I know whenever i have tried schedules i have always ended up frustrated and quitting very soon.

What do you guys think? Is it selfish to just use my time however i feel i would like to? Is time really the same as money or some other resource?

in CHRIST
joyfulhelpmeet

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Comment by Deborah A. Mackall on June 1, 2010 at 5:15pm: Yes, my dh just doesn't understand it. He never has any paper [other than a recent bill maybe] that he can't just read and throw out. He provides no sympathy, so I need to find help elsewhere. lol.

Comment by LisaVaught on June 1, 2010 at 9:26am: Ugh! I call it the paper war! I have a love hate relationship with paper! LOL! Always feel like I am shuffling paper around trying to find a place for it or decide what to recycle.

Comment by Deborah A. Mackall on May 31, 2010 at 7:25am: Ikwym, I just ordered another book by David Allen: "Making it All Work" My downfall is paper management, or lack thereof- so I'm trying to get a handle on it!

Comment by LisaVaught on May 30, 2010 at 4:46pm: That is so helpful Deb as some of us like a list but not a minute by minute guide. It is good to try and find the best way to work with your own style. I am definitely a list person but I can't seem to function on a hourly or minute by minute type of schedule. It seems to put me under too much pressure.

Comment by Deborah A. Mackall on March 18, 2010 at 8:08pm: you're welcome!:)

Comment by amanda on March 18, 2010 at 10:40am: wow thank you sooo much debroah! that is really helpful i will check out those books for sure!

Comment by Deborah A. Mackall on March 18, 2010 at 10:32am: 'Managers of Their Homes' got me as close to a schedule as I ever had! I hadn't the first clue how to go about it. First, they have you list every activity you want to accomplish, then they have you estimate the time each activity takes- what an eye opener when you see on paper that everything you want to do takes 32 hours! lol [and you know you are probably way underestimating the time] Obviously you have to prioritize. Kerry's idea of just making a list is doable for most people. I would have a 'running list' where I cross off and add all the time. "Getting Thing Done' by David Allen is a good organizational book that I am trying to implement as well. I'd probably recommend it over MoTH for a non-scheduling person. I think some people do thrive on a time-related schedule, but not everybody does. And children definitely like a routine and like to know what to expect each day. After years of trying a schedule, I've given myself permission to be different. Instead, I rely on a routine. We do certain things in order- but no specific time attached and the exact activity varies. For example, I like to 'wake-up' slowly. We might lay in bed and talk, or read outloud. I might get up and check my email, some kids might sleep in while others get to watch the birds w/ mom- eventually everyone's up and we have breakfast, then we start seat work which might be math or might be spelling first. . . In your situation I might have a routine for each type of day. So a 'night shift' day might look one way, a swing day another routine and something else for his days off. I would probably have the basic routines hanging on a wall somewhere for review. You might tell the kids the night before, 'tomorrow is a mid-shift day' or whatever you want to name the different routines. My kids thrive on going over the night before, what's to be expected in general terms the next day, hitting the highlights like outings, chores that must be done, treats they earn etc. Hope this helps.

Comment by amanda on March 18, 2010 at 9:31am: thanks kerry, i will check that out for sure