Special Day for the Kids

Somewhere in my inbox a week or two ago I read a post about giving kids a special day each week.  Once I read this I knew I had to incorporate it into our world. 

This past week, I did just that.  On Monday morning I explained to the kids that they would each be getting a "Special Day," each week.  I then explained that they would have special privileges on that day.  Now brace yourselves for some of these privileges, I am warning you up front some of them are pretty lame.  They are however things that are important to my kids. : )

Here's the low down on their special privileges:

• Help Mom with dinner
• Sit next to Dad during dinner
• Be 1st - in the car, to get dessert, to whatever.  I told them they could also be 1st to go to sleep but they weren't real thrilled about that one.
• To go with Mom or Dad.  If one of us runs out somewhere and we decide to take a child with us then the child who's "Special Day" it is can come and can also choose one sibling to come along if they wish.
• I am debating on adding in that they can stay up from an extra 20-30 minutes to spend one on one time with Mom or Dad.  My thought is to play a quick game of Chutes & Ladders, Uno or just chat.

I imagine that we will add a few more things to this as we go along if this "Special Day" thing sticks.  We aren't the only family that try stuff for a week or two and then it's out the window, are we??

My desire is that two wonderful things will come out of the "Special Day."  First, I am hoping to add in some extra one on one time with Mom/Dad and the kids.  The other thought is that having a "Special Day" will alleviate the kids fussing over who gets to what e.v.e.r.y. s.i.n.g.l.e. d.a.y!!  Yes, I admit it, my kids fuss.

So far so good, each of our little people got their "Special Day" this week.  The kids really enjoyed being first, helping with dinner or making dinner and sitting next to their Daddy-o during dinner.  The only problem that I really had was explain to Little Bits that his "Special Day" did NOT last all week long. 

Do you do anything special like this with your kids?  I would love to hear your ideas!

So far so good...

We had been schooling for several weeks and finally started to get into a good routine when everything got all mixed up.  All of the out of the home things that we were going to be doing started last week.  I have to admit I was a little stressed as to how it would go, but it went surprisingly well. 

You see there are several things that I wanted to incorporate into our schedule this year, Beginning Public Speaking or BPS (for the girls), an instrument (for the girls), choir (all kids) and Bible Study (for me).   I also had soccer on the to do list : ) The Lord had closed the door with soccer, I had missed the sign up date, which was fine.

You know all these things that I wanted us to do really sounded like a lot and I knew that we couldn't do everything.  I really prayed about everything and just really asked the Lord to give me wisdom in this area.  I didn't want to be so overwhelmed that we dropped the ball with our schooling or our home. 

Then it happened.  The Lord gave me a great peace about it all and changed my perspective on everything.  He showed me that all the things on the list are things that has us working toward the goals that I had for my children. 

My hope that BPS will give me children confidence to speak to others, especially in giving the gospel.  Ultimately, this has to come from God but I still think this is a wonderful tool to have.  One of my children is very shy when it comes to standing up and talking in front of people and I really want her to grow in this area, BPS will definitely help here. So far the girls really like it and have their first poems picked out to memorize.

An instrument is something I want my kids to have, especially my girls.  I feel like it is something they can us later in life if they pursue it.  Now I know that God's plans may not line up with my plans but I am hopeful that my kids will go on to homeschool their children.  Wouldn't it be nice for them to know how to play and teach an instrument to my grand kids one day : ) or to teach lessons for extra income.  Maybe even to play in church or for weddings or something.  I had been praying for a piano teacher.  I prayed that if He wanted them to play the piano He would have to provide a teacher because I didn't think it was in the budget right now.  Like a week or two later a friend of mine, out of the blue, said Hey, I would love to give your girls flute lessons and you don't have to pay me.  I, of course, looked up and said Thank you Lord!  I still can't get over that blessing!!

I know that I am having them do instruments and choir, at the same time.  Someone said to me that we were heavy on music this year.  That may be so BUT you don't know the choir teacher at our church.  Choir is much more than choir.  The Lord has greatly blessed our church with an AMAZING choir teacher.  Well, two of them actually.  But more specifically, the junior choir members learn the gospel.  I have sat in on choir rehearsals and have been amazed at how the teacher in constantly bringing in the gospel.  She also created a 4 or 5 year cycle for the kids that focus on different areas in music.  Last year it was rhythm and this year they are studying the Psalms.  So, even if we are heavy on music I am totally fine with it.

As for Bible study, my church offers a mid week Bible study for moms and provide child care.  I do read my Bible pretty much daily but I also wanted to do a study and if I am in a Bible study group I feel like I am more committed.  It is not as easy for me to not make it a priority.  While I am in my study the boys are in Busy Bee classes where they have like a little Sunday school lesson.  There weren't any classes for my girls so they are helpers - which they LOVE!!!  The Lil' Chef is helping with the toddlers and Computer Girl helps in the class where Alpha is at.  I love that they are getting a chance to serve others and just be helpful.  I was concerned about this taking away from school, so to be realistic I have designated Bible study days to be "core days."  A "core day" for us is Math, Grammar and Spelling.  They are quite fine to come home and do their work or make it up through the week.  For now we are still not really schooling on Fridays, but if they need to make up any of their core work it will be done on Friday so that we can stay on track.

So, like I said, so far so good.  I am hoping that we continue to fall in this schedule well and that the important things still get accomplished because the kids and I really want to continue all of the above.