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Help With Your Mother's Rule
Help With Your Mother's Rule is a forum for women who want trouble-shooting
help with their Mother's Rules or about any aspect of the 5 Ps of
the married vocation.
Ask
Holly: This blog is composed of your questions.Contact me at the address listed on Holly's Notebook page
and I will post questions and answers. Please share your unique ideas as well. The more ideas and experience we share,
the more successful every mother will be in designing her own unique
Mother's Rule.
Holly Pierlot
A Mother's Rule of Life Companion
Establishing Your Practical Rule - Printable Workbook
Where I Can Purchase the Mother's Rule Workbook
Balancing Work Time / Personal Time / Husband Time?
Dear Holly
How do you balance work time / personal time / husband time? I am a homeschooling mother who also works from home. I find that in the evening hours when the children are sleeping, I sometimes feel pulled in a number of different directions. Of course my husband wants my attention and we do have precious little 'grown up time' together. But then there's the problem of my needing to get work done during those hours, as well as my very real need for time to myself. I feel like I might have some free time during the day, but when the kids are in bed, then I have 'real' free time, and there's a huge demand and not enough hours. I have somewhat solved this by scheduling certain evenings for work and others for my husband, but I still feeling pulled in too many directions during this time. I was interested in what you and other mothers might have to offer here.Labels: 5th P Provider, About a Rule of Life
posted by Holly at 1:13 PM
2 comments
Boredom and Motivation in a Homeschool
Dear Holly
I presently homeschool eight of my nine children, ages preschool up to highschool. My question is , how to keep teacher (ie Mom!) motivated after doing the same grade level over and over again? I'm on my sixth time with Kindergarten phonics, and I'm tired of Gr 2 Math - I'd rather be doing algebra and trig. We have used nearly every homeschool program invented, in an attempt to add variety and compensate for individual children's learning styles. I am in it for the long haul, so quitting isn't an option. I guess I'm looking for advice on avoiding burnout and keeping interested. I fear that my kids are missing out on their education because I'm not as enthusiastic about Gr 1 phonics as I was when I was younger. Part of this issue is really a 'time' issue as I school more and more children - but I am feeling stretched further every year.Labels: Homeschooling
posted by Holly at 1:03 PM
2 comments
Helping Our Children with Our Rules
Dear Holly
I'm not sure what to do with the children - how to motivate them. I've tried MOTH on and off again for the past few years, but wasn't very consistent. Now, when I put up my new list of chores, the children just groaned...Labels: 4th P Parent, About a Rule of Life
posted by Holly at 1:22 PM
1 comments
Managing Time
Dear Holly
I was wondering about the amount of time things should take. I have a wonderful rule however, but I find that almost everything takes longer than I expected (especially schooling). Did you find this too when you first started? What happens now is that I am getting everything done because I do it during my scheduled free time, but everyday the housework takes a little bit less as we get more used to the rule. Is it OK for me to catch up during my free time, or should I try to fix this little dilemma by rescheduling or by trying to be faster?Labels: About a Rule of Life
posted by Holly at 9:44 AM
3 comments
Finding Activities for Little Ones
Dear Holly
I am struggling with my own motivation to get school stuff out and give it to my Kindergarten child. The schooling itself is easy, except for the part where I somehow find something for the other kids to do during school time. My oldest is 5, but I have four other children, ages 4, 3, 1 1/2, and a newborn. Any ideas?Labels: 4th P Parent, Homeschooling
posted by Holly at 8:24 AM
2 comments
Dealing With Perfectionism
Dear Holly
I am finding my Mother's Rule a bit exhausting. I have my scheduled breaks and rest times, but the amount of work I am called to do everyday is really a lot, and to keep things in tip-top shape takes a lot of effort. The kids don't seem to share my views about tidiness and I find I have to make them do things over again a lot to get the house looking like I want it to. This all adds to my workload. Any ideas?
Labels: 5th P Provider
posted by Holly at 8:18 AM
1 comments
Dealing with Interruptions
Dear Holly
What do I do when I have friends or family just 'pop over' ? Or with interrupting phone calls which are messing up my practical rule? How do I know what is important enough to depart from the current activity?Labels: About a Rule of Life
posted by Holly at 8:14 AM
5 comments
When Husband Isn't Supportive
Dear Holly
My husband isn't really supportive of my making up a rule. He doesn't want our family to be 'regimented' and feels that I will just stress myself out. What do you think of this?Labels: 3rd P Partner
posted by Holly at 9:03 AM
3 comments
Being Flexible and Avoiding Rigidity
Dear Holly
I've been getting up late the past few days. I'm pretty tired because there are many things on my mind right now and I've had trouble sleeping. The problem is that when I get up late, my whole schedule is mixed up and I feel like I've blown it for the entire day. What do I do in this situation?Labels: 2nd P Person, About a Rule of Life
posted by Holly at 8:07 AM
1 comments
Is a Rule Possible With Young Children?
Dear Holly
I can see how a Mother's Rule can work when you have older children, but I can't see how it will work with my young children. I seem to have so little control over when things happen, and often feel tossed about by the cries of the baby , the demands of the toddler, and the mischievousness of the preschooler!Labels: 4th P Parent
posted by Holly at 8:36 AM
2 comments
Too Many Toys!!
Dear Holly
Do you have a guideline for too much clutter, especially children's toys?? For me, clutter is the 'breaker' of my mood - when it's under control, I seem to be too. With three going on four young kids in a small house, I feel overrun by toys and toy pieces, but the toys at this time are most played with and of good quality - just too many of them. How to decide what to do?Labels: 4th P Parent, 5th P Provider
posted by Holly at 8:19 AM
2 comments
My Home is a Disaster - Need an Attack Plan
Dear Holly
My home is such a disaster right now! How long does it take to organize enough to get the flow going? My laundry has no more walking space due to dirty clothes, out of season clothes, give away clothes, etc! It's going to take me a long time just to get that done. Should I stop homeschooling for a few weeks, get things in order, and then start again?Labels: 5th P Provider, Homeschooling
posted by Holly at 8:08 AM
2 comments
What's The Heart of Inconsistency?
Dear Holly
Your Catholic viewpoint on making my [duties and schedules] a 'rule' has really helped put everything into perspective, and I know a schedule is not an option for me, but a calling. It always makes my day much more smoother when I follow a schedule. But I don't always keep up with it.Labels: 2nd P Person, About a Rule of Life
posted by Holly at 8:31 AM
3 comments
How Long Does it Take to Pull Things Together?
Dear Holly
How long did it actually take for your Rule to all fall into place? I have spent the last two days reading your book. I've attempted MOTH for a few years, but I haven't always kept up with it.Labels: About a Rule of Life
posted by Holly at 2:24 PM
2 comments
A Tithing Question
Dear Holly
My husband and I disagree on tithing. My husband thinks we should only tithe a very small amount to our church until we get our other finances and debts under control, and when this happens, we can give more. I, on the other hand, think we should tithe the full percentage (since five times that amount is spend on hubby's hobbies anyway!), and then trust in God to get us through the rough spots. Now, I just started a new job - should I do a complete tithe on my new income or should I consult husband first?Labels: 1st P Prayer, 3rd P Partner
posted by Holly at 9:12 AM
4 comments
Not Enough Time for Homeschooling
Dear Holly
I am still working my way through A Mother's Rule of Life, but am wondering where you squeeze in school? We use a standard packaged curriculum and your time frames don't seem like enough time to do all the work. I still feel I don't have enough time for everything.Labels: 4th P Parent, Homeschooling
posted by Holly at 8:33 AM
1 comments
I'm Scared of My Basement!
Dear Holly
I appreciate the need to simplify my possessions and organize my house, but I'm almost paralyzed when it comes to sorting out all the stuff I have in my basement. I've been piling stuff there for years, it's a heaping mound, and I can't imagine what to give away and what to keep. Plus, it seems I have boxes and bags in every closet and cranny upstairs and when I go to bed at night, I can barely pray for all the stuff staring me in the face. I just feel pressured.Labels: 5th P Provider
posted by Holly at 8:11 AM
3 comments
Not Sure I Need a Mother's Rule
Dear Holly
I have read A Mother's Rule of Life , but am not sure I need to do this. I don't normally feel overwhelmed like you did, so why would I need to consider a rule?Labels: About a Rule of Life
posted by Holly at 8:32 AM
1 comments
Am I Overdoing it?
Dear Holly
I am wondering about my Mother's Rule - first off, I love the order I am seeing in my home and the reduction of stress and mess. But at the same time, sometimes I feel a bit 'automated'. Refering to my chore charts and schedules is working, but I personally feel a bit strange and somewhat 'crowded' - like all of this isn't 'me'. Do you understand?Labels: About a Rule of Life
posted by Holly at 11:45 AM
1 comments
Dealing With Details
Dear Holly
I have been implementing a Mother's Rule for a month now, but am getting a bit confused. There are a lot of details that I haven't accounted for -- little things that keep popping up, like taking out the garbage or dusting the kitchen fan or what to do with wet rainboots. Every day I find 5 new things I forgot and am starting to feel overwhelmed again. What to do?Labels: About a Rule of Life
posted by Holly at 1:08 PM
1 comments
Finding My Mother's Rule Stressful
Dear Holly
I have pulled together a basic Mother's Rule, but I am finding it stressful. I find myself yelling at the kids by mid-morning, and I can't see the good of that. There's something wrong here - maybe a Rule is not for me?Labels: About a Rule of Life
posted by Holly at 8:39 AM
2 comments
Schedules Don't Seem to Work For Me
Dear Holly
Everything in A Mother's Rule of Life sounds really good, but I'm hesitant to begin. I've tried to pull things together before, but schedules don't seem to work for me. It's not for lack of trying, but I can never keep them up. Even so, the order and balance of a Mother's Rule is so attractive...Labels: About a Rule of Life
posted by Holly at 9:17 AM
1 comments
Discerning How Many 'Outside Activities' To Do
Dear Holly
I am trying to work out my Mother's Rule, but I am confused about how to know which outside activities my children and I should be involved in. There are so many things offered - so many different clubs and sports and groups -- how do I know how much is too much?Labels: About a Rule of Life
posted by Holly at 1:44 PM
2 comments
Can't Find Alone-Time for Early Morning Prayer
Dear Holly
I can't seem to get in any real alone time for early morning prayer. When I get up, the little ones wake up, and my nursing child mysteriously senses I'm awake. What can I do?Labels: 1st P Prayer, 4th P Parent
posted by Holly at 1:00 PM
3 comments
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