Breakfast and Afternoon Tea ... A New Routine

 

The kids have just this past week gone back to school after their summer holidays.
At the end of last year, I was feeling like I was chasing my tail with the

kids school stuff.  I felt like we needed a new routine ... so, this

year we have started off right ... with a great routine. It's

not anything complicated or fancy but it has made

such a difference already.  The biggest 

thing I felt was lacking was 

constant and regular

communication

with the 

kids

mostly

where their

school stuff was

concerned.  They'd say

"Mom, you didn't sign that note."

and quite frankly, I couldn't even remember

SEEING 'that note' let alone remember signing it! I 

felt like I was putting things off ... and then not getting to them

and I just didn't want to do that again this year!  Also, our church started

a new Bible reading plan together this year and I felt determined to participate and

not get behind, because that's when I get discouraged and quit.  Also, it's not a 

lot of reading and I really wanted to do it with the kids.  So, first thing I 

instituted was 7:00 breakfast time during the week.  The kids and I 

sit down together.  We eat and we read out loud.  And we chat.
And it's good.  I feel like it starts our day out right.  It 

is double good because it means none of us 

leave the house without eating brekky.
The second thing I decided was

that I'd take the time to

make afternoon 

tea for the

kids 

and

sit down

and share it with

them after school.  As

well, while we are all sitting

at the table, the kids give me their notes,

I fill them in and send them back straight away!
Also, next week when homework starts, we will sit together

and do homework.  They don't usually need much help so I will have 

a book or do menu planning or something non computer related while sitting

at the table with them. I feel great about it and I think these two little changes will make

the world of difference to the school year running smoothly and me staying informed 

and connected.

I am excited!!

**

PS ... the photo
above was our afternoon

tea the other day.  The passion 

fruit is from the vine in our garden!