Sometimes I need to record what actually happened in our day so that I can remind myself that learning happens, that education is life, that living is learning etc…

Yesterday was such a day.  I had some vague blocks of time in my mind.  Homeblessing (Flylady’s word for housework!),  Outside time, Table time, etc…  They were flexible in their timing and duration but it gave me a guide as to what I wanted each child to achieve during the day.

This is my summary for each child.

Josh – 12yo – Homeblessing (with a little lesson on working efficiently),  Bike Ride, many times during the day Josh would stop doing his thing and help the younger two with their thing (computer, or spelling, prepare food, or just to find a toy),  1.5-2 hours writing a story (he told me later he would hit a writers block and go for a wander around the garden for more inspiration),  Computer time and watched part of a Cricket game on Video (this is really recreational),   Reading.

Jess – 10yo – Homeblessing (she loves this part of the day and literally ran through her chores so that we could get to some deeper decluttering!), Piano practice,  writing (delight directed and all about keeping tidy, schedules, and lists at the moment!),  cooking (made some muffins by herself), Ironing, Beading (we had a friend come for the afternoon to teach us some beading techniques – Jess made a 3 strand bracelet)

Nomi – 8yo – Homeblessing (her lesson was in diligence, perseverance, in particular doing things fast!)  Outside time included climbing a tree and getting stuck! And being helped down by big brother!   She also played for about 1.5 hours with her little brother making cubbies and having a huge imagination game outside.  Lego, Writing (copy write a poem and illustrate – Nomi is into poetry at the moment and loves to draw so these two activities went well together), Beading.  Character training – when someone gets hurt – how to be compassionate.

Daniel – 6yo – Homeblessing (his lesson was to finish the job and put your tools away), Daniel’s day was all about play …. Outside, cubbies, fire engines and hero figurines, lego, Computer and bike riding.  He watched his daddy bolt a new hat rack to the wall, and fix his bike tyres.  His character training is all about obedience, happy heart and no hitting others!

How can I say we did no school today!  Oh yes, we pulled out no text books or workbooks!

After reading some of Marilyn Howshall’s books I wrote this statement for determining worthwhile activity.

“Is the current activity working towards growth in love (of God and of others), in character, or in the preparation for the purpose God has for each child?  Keeping in mind that God will use the passions found in our children in His purpose for them, since He placed the passion there in the first place!”

And what did I do during this day –

I worked in the office, completing a large bookwork task Peter had given me. 

I studied diligence/laziness (in preparation for character training for one of my children), I washed and ironed, had a prayer time with my Prayer Triplet, had a cuppa and chat with a friend, and invited our friend who taught beading to stay for dinner (along with all the regular stuff that has to happen). 

But more than all those things to tick off my list, I hope that I modelled to my children someone who relies on God throughout the day, someone who studies even though they’ve left school, I hope that they learnt a little of our work ethic, and that they saw friendship and hospitality.  Truly a mother’s work is never done – and the housework is the very least of it!