Managers of Their Homes - A Review

Again, I have found another masterpiece by the Maxwell family.  Apparently this book has been around awhile and has been successfully used by homeschooling families for awhile.  In what I believe is an answer to prayer, God led me to the Maxwell family website, Titus2 ministries.  I have since purchased four of their books.  My life has been very blessed by their books and their ministry.

Managers of Their Homes is a wonderful book written for homeschooling families.  This long-time homeschooling family has an amazing store of ideas and tips for helping other families that homeschool stay sane.  The front cover of the book says that Managers of Their Homes is "A Practical Guide to Daily Scheduling for Christian Homeschooling Families".  I have to say that I totally agree with that statement.

I have been working on my schedule for a couple weeks now.  All I can say is that I have already been amazed at the difference in what I get done.  No more is there any wavering about what I need to do next.  I just move to the next thing on my schedule, accomplish the task that needs to be done or work with the child that I'm scheduled to work with, and then I move on to the next item.  Sound simple?  It is, but the crazy thing is that I've led my life not that focused.  I would jump from thing to thing, never really accomplishing much.  I would get frustrated cause I felt time would get away from me.  Now, however, I feel some sense of order.  More is getting done now than ever in the past.

Today was the first day of school, and thus the first day of using a school schedule.  We are on track.  I planned for a lot of time for everything.  In areas where we have gotten ahead, I've let Laura work ahead or take a break and just relax for a few minutes in between subjects.  We've had a more relaxed school day than I can ever remember having since we began homeschooling.  I don't feel like we aren't doing enough.  I don't feel stressed.  There was time scheduled to clean up from breakfast and lunch.  There was time scheduled for chores.  There was time scheduled for Laura to read to Megan.  There was even computer time scheduled for me to blog.  Plus... and this is the most exciting... I had personal time with God this morning!!  I loved it!  I got to spend a half hour in my Bible, doing a devotion, and in prayer.  How amazing is that?  Personal Bible time always gets pushed aside when I probably need it most, just because I am too busy or rushed.

Is there a down side?  Well, this first morning of getting up at six in the morning after a long summer was rough.  Yet, I quickly jumped in the shower to help make myself more awake and alert.  Within thirty minutes I was sitting with a cup of coffee and my Bible. 

If this is an area where you need help, I encourage you to buy this book.  It is totally worth the cost.  You would think scheduling and organizing a day would be common sense.  However, if you have trouble in this area (like me), then the advice and ideas and practical help in this book will help to revolutionize your life.  Thank You Maxwell Family!!!