I've used schedules before and they were very successful. In fact I remember the year of the schedule as the BEST homeschool year we ever had. However when my life changed drastically and my schedule stopped working, I threw it out the window (not a good idea if you don't have a better plan in mind!)
Lorrie compared schedules in this little treasure, to being a pilot: without programming your destination in properly at the beginning, you'll never reach your destination. However once that's done you can fiddle with and adjust your course without changing the end result. Lorrie helped me to realize how my schedule failed. I didn't sufficiently tweak my course to reach my destination.
Next came the part of Managing My Minutes: Do I Really Need To? that I really loved. Lorrie listed 7 detailed points that correctly identify the difference between a schedule and a routine. It made so much sense and I see why my schedule could never give me everything that I needed. Routines don't follow a specific short time slot, but are used daily to train children how to do things. Routines teach habits that will help our children grow up to be responsible adults. Managing My Minutes is more about schedules, but now that I know the difference between schedules and routines I can go here and get Lorrie's bundle on routines (Managine My Minutes: Babies, Preschoolers and Kindergartners) for her introductory price before it's gone. Whoo Hoo, here I come!
This product has inspired me to go back to doing what works and I'm sure it will help you to. Go here to get your own copy! I'm so glad that women, like Lorrie Flem of Eternal Encouragement, are willing to teach us less experienced mom's the ropes.
(I received a free copy of this product in return for my honest review)