Preparation is Key, Part 3

It was at the end of a long day, and all I wanted to do was crash on the couch with my husband.  I said so, and my husband asked, "Well, why don't you?" to which I responded, "My next day always goes better when I begin it the night before".


I make it a priority to get that cuddle time for relaxing every evening my husband's home.  It is one of the chief reasons our kids go to bed at 8:00 every night.  But, if I delay it just for fifteen to twenty minutes, I can get the ball rolling so my next day is smoother. If my husband's not home or if we watch TV together, I can take commercial breaks to do even more.  I might even begin these preparations before the kids are in bed.  These are my weeknight jobs:

• I either load or unload the dishwasher.
• If I need to pack a lunch or lunches, I do so.
• I make as much of breakfast as possible.  Sometimes, this is just getting the ingredients together, but other times I can have something completely mixed, wrapped, and sitting in the fridge ready to bake when we wake in the morning.  I might go ahead and bake muffins.
• Get clothes out for whoever might be going somewhere the next day. 
• Take a shower.  I used to only do this in the mornings unless I worked out in the evening, but it's nice to have this out of the way when possible.  Plus, freshly shaved legs is nice for romance! 
• Relax!  Anything else is extra:
• Get materials ready for projects I intend to do for "homeschool preschool".
• Wash a load of clothes so I can get right to hanging a load on the line the next day.  Remember not to run a dryer at nighttime if you use one because it is extremely dangerous!

None of this is a requirement, but really a mainly enjoyable part of my routine so that the next day, people aren't seen as interruptions to my day, but as blessings to be enjoyed and blessed in return.  Anything to have that feeling flow more freely!


I'll be linking up to Raising Arrows.  Check out everyone else's ideas for large family organization!