Monday, October 17, 2011

Rhythm In Our Home : Family Day



Saturday is our family day. Of course, every day is family day but this is the one day we set aside to spend time together - just the five of us. This day has become even more important and necessary for us ever since Kevin's job (and the need for him to use public transportation) took him away from us during the week. I see him late at night right before I go to bed usually, but our children, on the other hand, do not see him all week long as he leaves before they rise in the morning and arrived back home after they have gone to bed. So you see - the weekend is currently all we have as a complete family.







We used to tie in outside or gardening time on Saturdays, too but again - due to Kevin's work hours, we decided to keep it simple. It does seem that many of our family days are still spent outside in one way or another, though. We really enjoy exploring the forests around us or taking nature walks.



To accommodate the less than desirable Daddy work schedule, I try to make sure that our home is clean and all of my household chores are done on Friday - that way we aren't running around like crazy all weekend trying to finish things up. Plus, Kevin's job is very stressful and he is quite the clean freak (to put it nicely), so he can't relax if the house is a disaster (and let me tell you - it IS indeed a disaster the other five days of the week).





So with a clean house and a fresh start we begin our day with a big, warm family breakfast. All of us work together to make our big meal... well, minus Baby L who is either scooting on the floor or up on one of us, but you know what I mean. The cats are moved safely behind a closed door and the dogs come up to play with us as we prepare our meal (but no more pancakes for them!).



Once we all have full bellies we clean up and then either head out the door (if we are going out and about), or we all might curl up together in our big bed. Either way, we just fully take in and enjoy one another's company. What more could we ask for?!



Please remember - this is just our family rhythm and what works for us at the moment. This isn't meant to be hard and fast rules on how rhythm should go in every one or any one's homes. I just thought to share it because I receive quite a few e-mails asking about our home rhythm, and I also just wanted it documented for myself so that I may remember these times when they are older and/or on to another rhythm.

Thank you, again, for joining me in the rhythm fun! Here is the linky list. If you have a (new or old) link you would like to share about your family rhythm, please enter it below so that we all may see. Then please link back here in your post. I look forward to seeing your inspiration!
Thanks friends!


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Comments (31)

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i know I haven't added any links to show our rhythm (or lack thereof) but I really appreciate your posts. It seems your days are quite full and to take time to share with us is a gift, Thank you. =)
1 reply · active 706 weeks ago
This might be a silly question, but I know a little girl who would go crazy about that elephant backpack. Did you buy it somewhere or did you make it?
1 reply · active 706 weeks ago
Ah... I am constantly reminded of how far short I fall in trying to establish what I would like to be our rhythm at home.
Not that that's your fault. It's mine. You know what I mean, I hope. Sometimes things (in real life/blog land/other) inspire me and sometimes just serve to remind my of my failings.

Looks like a beautiful day, enjoyed and treasured as it should be :)
Keep enyoying especially while they're little... as they grow so fast.

Have a positive week! :)
Kristy
1 reply · active 706 weeks ago
That last photo is so precious, Nicole. I love the tender interaction between the girls.
1 reply · active 706 weeks ago
It must be really tough on all of you to have Keving mostly-gone during the week days. And for him, too - to be gone. I think it's spectacular that you set aside a day to just *be* a family.

My husband works down the street. So our situation isn't really the same. But his work is so stressful. I wish I could find a way to balance the three boys, the homeschooling, the playing, the cleaning, the everything! So that B could come home to a calm (and relatively clean) house. Clearly this is something I'm going to need to strive harder for. You seem to handle.. *everything* with such grace - you are truly an inspiration.
1 reply · active 706 weeks ago
Thank you for sharing your family rhythm posts with us. I have been really enjoying reading them. Your photos are, as always, just beautiful.
1 reply · active 706 weeks ago
I love the picture of the girls sleeping nestled together. My girls share a bed too. I love it. It reminds me of Laura and her sisters sleeping in a big cozy bed in Little House on the Prairie. We started out with them in seperate beds but two of them are inseperable so they always ended up in one bed. So, we got them a loft style full size bed. Ok...on the rhythm, I posted my laundry rhythm. I think that is one of the ones I have not posted here. Tomorrow I start my annual Handmade Christmas challenge. Please pop on over and check it out, for the next 10 thursdays I am inviting you to post what you are making for Christmas and every week we wil have a giveaway of some handmade goodness. http://crunchycatholicmomma.blogspot.com/2011/10/...
1 reply · active 706 weeks ago
Sounds lovely! We took a much-needed family day yesterday (hooky from work and preschool, shhh....) and it was just the best.
1 reply · active 706 weeks ago
It must be so hard parenting without any kind of break during the week. You are a very thoughtful wife to clear the decks for your husband, not jsut a good wife but a good friend too :-) I like the idea of having a Friday blitz and then having the weekend clear and clean and free. hugs Laura x
1 reply · active 706 weeks ago
So inspiring to read your family rhythm posts. A good reminder for me to stay on track with my own. It is so easy to get sidetracked. I posted this week on our sewing day, although this week it happened on Saturday but this is what our Thursdays usually look like. http://www.darkbluedragon.com/node/34
1 reply · active 706 weeks ago
I love a man that wears a hat!
1 reply · active 706 weeks ago
Perfect! We have similar (painful) time constraints. Our Saturdays are precious, too. I've finally managed to get a schedule that leaves us totally free to be on Saturdays. And it's just heaven - as I can see it is for you, too :-)
2 replies · active 706 weeks ago
what a lovely day! where do you find your daughters clothes?
1 reply · active 706 weeks ago

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