I found a ton of articles by Kim Brenneman here. For the record we employ the very same routines in our home and have found them to be highly successful when done consistently. She has many convicting things to say…

On computers:

We need fellowship with other believers but often we exchange relationships with real people in our physical community for relationships with people in a narrow little band of online people that believe every little thing exactly like we do. The Proverbs 31 lady was in her community, her husband was honored at the city gates because of her renown, she extended her hand to the poor, and more.

Online communities can be a venue of encouragement and relation to others, but spend more time getting to know your neighbours. Be salt and light!

Computer rabbit trails also steal time from our first priorities. Be careful, be wise, make a plan for the time you spend online and use a timer.

On planning:

When we try to do everything we do nothing well. Focus on your first priorities and then carefully, thoughtfully, and prayerfully refine them before adding to them.

On fellowship:

Don’t be an idler, gossip, or busybody going about from house to house via the telephone, email, IM, or visiting. Save your talk time and be meaningful with it.

On chores:

Don’t be a drill sergeant, be an encourager. Say things like you would want to hear it from your mom. Sing while you work, make up a silly song to go along with the work. Work quickly and efficiently.

On toddlers:

Assign a day of the week for each toddler activity to be done while the rest of the crew cleans. i.e. Monday-playdough; Tuesday-washing dishes (water play); Wednesday-chunky puzzles; Thursday-coloring; Friday-finger paint.

Note: this REALLY works well. Little ones don’t need their entire day full of alternating activities,books, songs etc. You would be amazed how well they respond to a set “table time” or “tray time” daily. While most articles encourage you to do this first thing, we have also found it is best to do it while the others are cleaning. Makes for happy littles and more productive chore time.

On beauty in the home:

Try to create a harmony of favorite things expressing all of the senses. What fabrics do you like to feel, what do you like under your feet, what do you want to wrap up in while you sit and peruse a new magazine? When you want a peaceful setting what do you want to hear? Guitar music, ocean waves, the breeze in the trees outside, or silence? What do you want to smell? A favorite flower, a mug of hot chocolate, the night air drifting in? What do you want to see? Blank walls, art, photography, wallpaper? Lots of drapes and luscious fabric or simple, straight lines? Dark or light? Warm or cool? Simple, elaborate, or somewhere in between? Think about these things.

I will stop here but there is so much to glean. I have her articles printed and in my Home Mgt Binder. We all have periods where the routines slip a bit or we are under the weather but returning to these happy habits makes for a delightful home life.