We are guilty of waking up last minute and rushing to get everyone ready and out the door. These mornings are stressful. I yell, the kids seem to move so slow, and no one is in a good mood. Not only are these mornings rough, but they set the tone for the whole day. And honestly, these days don’t ever seem to go right.
It seemed like the entire world fell apart during 2020. In some ways it did for us too, but what it did give us was time together to reevaluate what was most important. It was the year my husband and I sat down and made a list of what we wanted to accomplish. Just to name a few; get out of debt, buy land, work on our individual walks with Christ, and, lastly, start being intentional with family discipleship. Apparently we like big goals.
Family discipleship is so important to us for several reasons. The first being God calls us to make disciples of all nations in Matthew 28: 16-20. Those nations include our own homes. We have the opportunity to raise children who know and love Christ.
I know that motherhood is a ministry that is just as important as any other. I know this to be true because of 1 Timothy 5:8. “But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially members of his household, he has denied the faith” I consider providing for my family’s spiritual needs as a part of their overall care.
Morning routine
We wake the kids up between 6:45-7:00 am. They get dressed, brush their teeth and hair, and then follow up with their morning chores. Their chores consist of unloading and loading the dishwasher, setting the table, and feeding the animals. They knock this out within 20 minutes because its divided between the older 3. Our youngest is still under two so she gets to avoid the chore chart for a bit longer.
Chore schedule
A typical week’s chore schedule looks like this.
Monday- Noah-dishes & leader Tucker- animal care & Molly- clear and clean table and countertops
Tuesday- Tucker- dishes & leader Noah- animal care & Molly – clear and clean table and countertops
etc…. Leader duties include getting to sit in the front seat on the way to evening activities & they get to pick what bed time reading we do. Molly will begin the other chores once she starts 1st grade.
Breakfast and discipleship
For breakfast we typically have eggs, sausage or bacon, and a piece of jelly toast. Sometimes on fun Fridays I will make banana pancakes and eggs. However, our baby still doesn’t always sleep through the night so this does not happen ever Friday. Mama needs sleep.
At 7:45 we all meet at the table. This is our time to be together and get ready for our busy day ahead. We are currently working through Foundations for Kids: New Testament by Robby Gallaty. It’s been a perfect way to introduce my kids to biblical reading and daily devotionals.
The study comes with a weekly memory verse, scripture reading, and a guided discussion. It is a perfect no prep study, and my kids look forward to it. In fact, my oldest often reminds me if I am even a minute late! It usually only takes 15 minutes, and then we end in prayer.
Once our study and prayer time is over the kids quickly load their dishes and head outside and wait for the bus. I have really enjoyed seeing my kids mature and grow, and I pray these intentional moments are what they look back on as pivotal faith moments. I also hope they see these mornings as my husband and I trying our best at caring and tending to their physical and spiritual needs. We don’t do parenting perfect or even close. But our heavenly Father does and we are looking to Him to start our days.
