A new month means a chance for new goals and new adventures. For our family, we have quite a bit going on. But first, let’s talk about some goals.
Goals for the Month
One thing that is central to a Charlotte Mason education and a Charlotte Mason home is that of habit formation or habit training. It is also something that as a mom I have not been the best at doing. I recognize this fact and have decided this month to start working on very basic habits with my children. We are going to start with the habit of keeping a tidy room. This is going to include everyone making their beds every day and putting their dirty and clean clothes where they belong. I know these may sound small, but I believe we have to take small steps at first before we can make huge changes.
Meal Planning
Another big goal for me is to start being more consistent about meal planning. I know I gave a basic outline of how I meal plan, but I haven’t been the best about expanding what each of these dinners looks like and have found myself falling back on the same things each week. My kids don’t mind so much, but I’m getting bored with it. As this changes, I will be sure to write an update to my meal planning method. I would love to hear what you have planned for meals this month, or how you go about planning your different meals.
Books I’m Reading
My personal goal is to continue reading more. I’ve found that I pick up my phone and scroll much more than reading these days and I would like to get back into the habit of reading. I am reading Know and Tell the Art of Narration with my Wild and Free book club over the next few months. I also am reading The Dyslexia Empowerment Plan. I’m hoping this will give me more insight on how to help Rosalynn as I am teaching her. I also read all the books that the kids are reading for school. I would love suggestions though on some books to add to my list. They can be fiction, non-fiction, personal development whatever you are reading currently! You can also find all the books we read through the month on my Book Shop. I will update it with each book we read. https://bookshop.org/shop/Happilyaharmon
A New Way to Start Our Day
The last goal I have for October is to start our day each day with a walk. This would be before we start any school lessons. To get outside and just walk around our neighborhood some. We did this some last year and it’s something I miss. Now that Benjamin and Katheryn have both gotten bigger I might even try and have them walk as well. I think this would be good for the kids to just start their day in nature.
An Adventuring We Will Go
As for adventures we have going on the month started out with one. Ethan and Rosalynn both auditioned for the Performance Ensemble at Irish Dance Tallahassee. This is the first time either one of them has auditioned and they were both excited and nervous. The big kids will also have their next JBQ match. I changed up our family subjects during school time to include reviewing their JBQ questions and I think this is helping tremendously.
Ethan is also going to be working with Breeze every weekend to get ready for the North Florida Fair. Some of the things that he will be learning is how to take care of her hooves, mixing her feed for the show. He will also be in charge of getting her pin ready for the fair and sharing about Nubians to the public. This will be his first time showing a goat and he is really looking forward to it. We are going to be joining 4-H at Large because our County 4-H doesn’t have a Livestock club.
Nathan is also going to be starting a new job this month. It’s going to be a big adjustment for all of us. There will be opportunities for him to work remotely so that is going to mean working with our school schedule some. I think our whole family is ready for this change and this challenge.
What about your family? What does October look like for you?
Meal planning plays a big role in our family. It helps to keep us within budget, to eat healthier meals and to waste less food. Whenever we don’t meal plan for the week, the food bills and the take aways go up. Each Friday we now try to plan our meals for the following week. On Saturday we buy the groceries and on Sunday I do a bit of meal prep for the week. It works but it does require discipline.
What are some of your family’s favorite dishes? I am always on the look out for new things to try.
Meal planning is something I struggle with the most! What are your favorite meals to cook?
We eat lots of tacos!
Sounds like a busy October for you!! Meal planning is something we started in 2020 when we only ordered our groceries once a week online and it is a habit I’m so glad we have stuck with – I’m sure you’ll love the stress it takes away! Also, have fun in 4H – I was a lifer (but non-livestock)!
Busy is an understatement! It already feels like we are go go going! We don’t do grocery delivery, but my husband does all our grocery shopping but because I haven’t been great about planning he generally gets the same thing. What are some of your family’s favorite meals?
I love the idea of goal setting. Adventures are always a good thing!
I love this simple format.. You may have just inspired me to make monthly goals for these same categories (with a heavy emphasis on adventuring ;)) Meal prep is at the top of the list too!
Yay! I can’t wait to read what your monthly goals are. Adventuring is so important when we have littles.