~Tuesday Tips~

Sometimes it's necessary to change the way we do things at home. Sometimes a schedule will work for awhile until a new activity shows up in our weekly schedule. Sometimes we get overloaded and our kids suffer for it (we do, too). Sometimes we need to step back and ask ourselves if everything in our schedule is bringing honor to God and good things to our home. Or do we need to become better stewards of our time? 
Setting kids up with a schedule (and ourselves, for that matter) allows for consistency in their daily lives. This may seem taboo to a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants planner, but that consistency brings stability to their otherwise chaotic lives. It brings a sense of peace to their day. They know what to expect (most days) and will adjust accordingly to the schedule put before them. Following is a list of tips or reasons as to why schedules are an important part of our daily life:
1. It teaches us time management. There are certain things we need to do every day. This is a great way to make certain it all gets done.
2. It teaches the importance of being on time. How many times has someone been late for something you were in charge of or leading? Don't they understand your time is precious? Americans have so much to do in 2010 that time is just as important as money or the air we breathe. Let's teach our children the importance of being on time as a courtesy to others. 
3. Scheduling hinders procrastination. If we know we have an assignment due on Wednesday, we know research should begin Friday and a rough draft should be finished by Monday. Turning work in on time is important. This is another important lesson in today's world. Our best work can't be done through putting it off until the last minute.
4. Through scheduling their afternoons, children will know what to expect. So many times things get thrown into our schedules. And kids are dealing with getting bullied at school, bodily changes going on, who's the next big thing and will I pass my test tomorrow? They need a place they can come to for rest and reassurance. Having a schedule in the afternoons, rather than just running all over the place, allows them that time peace and rest in their day.
5. It keeps them healthy. Children need up to 10 hours of sleep a night in order to maintain their health. Having a bath time routine, bedtime routine and assisting them in getting that sleep will make a world of difference in their health, attitudes, and behaviors.
These are just a few reasons why scheduling a child's day is important. Feel free to add to my list via the comments section below! I'd be happy to hear your thoughts!