less distracted

So, for about 2 weeks now I have been doing my new “schedule”.

I should explain though, it’s more like a grid.

I don’t really “do” schedules.  After I posted about the new schedule I had so many say “I could never stick to that…” which got me thinking… I don’t really stick to it… I never feel like a schedule binds me. I am not looking at the clock to see what’s next. Maybe that’s what scares moms about schedules. Because we all know there are too many invariables thrown in your path as a mom to be constantly looking at your watch.

My grid is more like… on this day I am going to do these things and that will probably work the best around these times. Then I keep my kids in the same general routine of meals, sleeping, etc and wala- I get a LOT more done. It keeps me focused. Organized.

So over the last 2 weeks I found out that I was the one who needed the schedule not my kids.

Now I know kids thrive on routine... but I have been able to respond to the kids much more centered since we have been in this new "schedule".

About 2 weeks before I created it I noticed that things were feeling a bit crazy. And though we always have a level of craziness that sometimes gets out of hand (3 little kids and 2 ambitious adults will do that to ya)… I knew something needed to be adjusted.

Organization ALWAYS lends more peace to my life. If I am feeling stressed, I know there is something in my life that I should adjust, organize better or cut out completely. Sometimes the answer is to do less but more times the answer for me is do more, more efficiently. It’s a gentle balance. The only way I figure it out is with the gentle voice of the Holy Spirit.

A few weeks ago I looked over our life… everything we have going… the needs of our house… the needs of our family and I attempted to make some sort of grid. When does the house get cleaned? When does the laundry get done? When do we have quiet time? Etc.

And I created a schedule or my new term, grid.

After doing the new grid for 2 weeks, I have found that my kids are acting out less. And over the last few days I have realized it’s because I am less distracted and more focused. I know when I have time to touch on things… I do the best/most I can in that timeframe and I move on. I spend more quality time with them and on everything.

My lesson?? A less distracted/fulfilled mommy doesn’t mean doing less… it means doing what you are called to do more efficiently and focused.

oh and here is a link to my "grid"  :) : http://unorthodoxhousewife.blogspot.com/2011/08/schedule.html