We have tried three different schedules in the process of finding our sweet schedule spot. I would like to tell you our transition has been smooth. However, the reality is it has not been a smooth transition. Mark has had to find extra measures of grace, mercy, and patience. The kids have had to learn to be ok with the fact that daddy does things differently than I do. While it has been hard for me to watch them adjust, change is a part of life. Learning to listen to someone else’s instruction and being able to do it is a part of life. Learning to communicate, be patient, and interact with others is a life skill.
Schedule #1: We have clients literally all over the United States, which means my schedule needs to vary depending on what kind of communication needs to happen with clients. I need to be available in the afternoons for our west Coast clients and I need to be up and going earlier for our east coast clients. With this in mind I worked Mon.,Weds., and Thurs. from 8-1. On Tuesday I worked from 8-3, working a four day week, with Fridays off. This worked great while Mark was in between clients, but when he started working again, our schedule needed to change again to allow us both to work. While I worked in the morning, Mark would get the kids going in the morning, and take on the role of teacher/mentor in their studies. This was a hard transition and I cried for two weeks while I mourned the transition of Mark taking over for me.
Schedule #2: When the time came to change our schedule again I went before the Holy Spirit to seek wisdom in what we should do. We have committed to homeschooling and have seen our kids flourish and develop a love of learning. One of us would need to be available to them throughout the day. I know that humans have various times of the day when they are the most productive. I am at my best right away in the morning, with coffee in my hand, I’m good to start my day. Mark functions best after lunch, the afternoons are his sweet spot. I would work Mon.-Thurs. from 8am-1pm, he would work from 12-1pm. The hour overlap worked great, because Timothy naps during that time, the big kids make their own lunch, and have a rest time after lunch. When I was done at one we would be able to go on afternoon adventures. This schedule worked great for a while, until we had to change it yet again.
Schedule #3: Schedule three had to happen because we did some revamping of clients and priorities within the company. This will be the bumpiest schedule to figure out, but it’s the one I am most excited about. Social media doesn’t sleep, it happens 24/7, and it can make it tricky to figure out what times are best to work. The reality is I work from the time I wake up until the time I go to bed. There are lulls in the day, sometimes for a couple of days when posts are scheduled out, clients are happy for a second, and the world is happy. A constant, consistent schedule wasn’t working anymore. I wasn’t working at my fullest and I felt like my family life was suffering as well. I wasn’t being awesome at either. I had to let a consistent schedule go. This schedule allows our family to strive closer to the lifestyle we have been trying to create. It frees me up to be able to be more active during our sit down school times, a part of our day the kids, and I both enjoy together.
I am sure there will be a schedule #4 at some point. If I have learned anything from being a parent, it is once I have the new schedule down, it changes without asking me. I am often baffled when the schedule changes, because I’m not watching for it nor do I usually want it. When I do finally realize life changed again, it’s a breathe of fresh air, because I can figure out what needs to change, find a solution, and then explain the new plan to the kids. Phew, peace comes back to what felt chaotic!
The reality is there is no perfect schedule. What works for my family might not work at all for your family and I want you to know it’s ok! It’s important to give yourself extra measures of grace and mercy. You are not going to be perfect, your schedule won’t be perfect, and that’s ok. Life isn’t perfect, it’s messy, but it’s worth being patient with ourselves while the Holy Spirit helps guide and direct us. He has been faithful every step of the way and he will continue to be faithful!