High Level View of features

Here is an overview of the unique features and what these do for the family using this:

1. Designed with large families in mind
2. Usable by all ages
3. Encourages work until accomplished
4. Builds appreciation for a job well done
5. Family life centered
6. Schedule Weekly for efficiency
7. Organized around set blocks of time
8. Sharable between devices and paper charts
9. Provides Multiple views of into life schedule
10. Builds a traditional american family lifestyle

The reward is a job well done

We need a system that is not based on rewards, stars, allowance, etc. Our firm belief is htat the art of living is something each person does for and within themselves, building an internal reward of a better life. It isnt something that requires outside rewards to accomplish, in fact.... the outside rewards (treats, allowance, etc) actually detract from the real lesson here of "learn to do for yourself and others and feel good about that for what it is". 

software architectrure

Set Time blocks

The system is also designed around set time slots... you decide on the smallest element of time  to control (we suggest 30 minutes) and everything is scheduled within that. there is the notion of "task summary and task detail". If the summary task is too small to be a half hour with some amount of free time after,  it should become a detail of a larger summary. what this does is set a "summary schedule" that lists what TYPES of things everyone is working on in a given time period (school, chores, outside play, etc)  and the details list off for that person what the definition of that is for that particular event.  For instance.. 10:00 to 10:30 could be "home chores" while on Monday that means "take out trash, sweep porches", etc.  This gives dual views.. family summary view and personal detail view. Both useful and necessary for different reasons.

plan weekly

The system is also built around a weekly schedule on purpose.  Experience shows that plans more than a week out rarely help except for main events. Planning for less than a week is horribly inefficient because you end up planning all the time.  the balance is planning once a week for the coming week. Then that plan carries over to the next week but adjustments are made weekly. this gives a very comfortable routine of weekly effort in review for what worked, adjustments for what needs changing, and carry over for what is ok. Part of the weekly schedule is making/reviewing  the weekly schedule. this is also the time we review child development, family issues, family direction, school needs, etc.  In the future the plan is to incorporate a yearly "calendar" that will automatically merge with the weekly schedule for adjustments around things like birthdays, trips, dr appts, etc.

Family Centric

Our system is also family centric. It assume that there are events during the day when the entire family comes together. That's how we work. For us it is around meals... the day is organized around set meal times when we all sit down to share our time as a family over a meal.  This is inherent in the design, not something you "schedule for", but a basic architectural assumption. The reward for a efficient well completed job is free time, but the "release" from the schedule is family together time. 

support for all ages

It is compatible with all ages, although at this early version it does not include graphics instead of words for youngsters. It will, just haven't gone there yet.

Unique needs of large families

The system is designed for the large family, could be an overkill for smaller families with 2 or 3 kid, but of course would work. It is built assuming that it is impossible to capture everything on a "master chart"  and instead offers different "views"  that each person can use for their particular needs.  

Work to accomplish, not to stay busy

Our system is also based around the traditional american farm mentality of "set reasonable goals and then work till the job is done" , then relax.  Its not "clean the room for 20 minutes" .. but rather it is "start 10:30 and clean the room to the required level of organization, then take a break". If they procrastinate, they work all day. If the become efficient and focus, they get free time as a reward . In other words, the reward for a job well done is the freedom to gain free that is managed by you.. you work to show how well you manage time, then get more time to mange at your discretion as a reward".  Also, this stresses that the job must get done, not just "work at it" and not "work for something"... 

Principle:

How it works

Why is this important?

Who We Are

Our family, like all families, is unique. We seem to have just about every challenge that families face, all at once. Here's a high level view:

• Structure
• Large size - 8 living in our home
• All Ages - from just born to 12yrs old
• Togetherness - We spend virtually every minute of every day together on purpose
• Education
• HomeSchool - we choose to raise and educate our children at home
• Parenting
• GreenHouse Kids - our style of parenting is sheltering from outside influence until mature
• Limited Media - TV, movies, radio, internet, is severely limited, almost nonexistent
• Discipline - We expect our children to learn to be adults, within their limits
• Chores - All people support themselves without extra reward
• Spirituality
• Bible Based - our model is the family of the bible
• Patriarchal  - Authority model portrayed in the bible
• Christian - We strive to live by the spirit, not the letter
• Home Church - We choose to lead our own children in spiritual matters
• Employment
• Small Family Farm - We live on and operate a small family farm 
• Work Ethic - WE include the children in farm and home work at very early ages
• Health
• Natural Health Oriented - We rely on traditional methods of healing as much as possible
• Traditional foods - we cook all food from scratch, 3 times a day, plus snacks.
• GAPS  and WAPF - nutritionally we follow the wisdom of these approaches
• Child development challenges - We have first hand experience with the likes of ASD, RAD, ADHD, etc.

As you can see, thats a LOT! Our life is very full, and we love it. The pleasure of life, is living. Still, it takes organization to get through the days without stress. Things in life don't just happen, efficiency and time management  doesn't just occur, you must drive it. 

Mans first calling on earth was to "manage" the earth and all of creation. It seems then, that our first calling is to manage the part of creation that is within our sphere of influence.. the family.  Without that, all else is a hollow victory at best.

In the next several posts I will be explaining each of the above elements in detail, to draw a picture of how our family organizer system is designed, how we are organized, and why. 

A New Beginning

This blog is the beginning of a new project.... developing a bible based, traditional family oriented, homeschool enabled family schedule for large families.

Why a new system when there are so many existing approaches out there?  Quite simply, we have tried many of the existing approaches, researched even more, and come to the conclusion that none work for us  completely. Every system we have tried, whether it be from a book, a computer, or a set of charts and such, has required compromises or adaptations in some element of our family life, child raising, scale, age ranges, or belief system.  This is actually an incredibly difficult thing to do! to apply a generic system of "life" to a family is to structure life in a certain way. This cant be done without imposing a set of values or mindsets.  We have decided to venture off and make our own... from scratch... and invite you to take part in this journey... in hopes that eventually we will have a system that supports the lifestyle we have chosen.

The first purpose of this blog is to document that foundation. What is the mindset that this system supports, how is it different, and what underlying beliefs and parenting styles does this work best for.  As you read through the posts here you will see a picture of our family. This family organizer system is built around that picture. It could be adapted to other family styles, but it is not intended to be a one size fits all. We believe strongly in our family structure and style, and are creating this system to support and organize it, to make life easier while adhering to our foundational beliefs.

So come along our journey.  You are invited to read, or even participate by experimenting with our system. We are looking for a small group of families to actually use the system as it matures, to help drive it in the right direction and work the kinks out before official release. There is of course no charge for this! If your interested, please email and let us know!