Let's get on task, people!!

Kids. I have the schedule posted. We've discussed it and agreed upon it. Yet today at 9:10 they're just sitting down to the table with their bowls of cereal. I was so perturbed. They woke up with plenty of time, and turned down my offer of a hot breakfast in favor of Crunchberries, so I had gone about my business with the baby. I expected them dressed, and getting started on schoolwork at 9:10, not just finally sitting down to a leisurely breakfast. So I told them they were taking advantage of my being busy with the baby and that made me mad. I took away recesses and gave them extra work instead. During the recess times we went over the schedule (made a posterboard) and agreed on three rules for our home school (which they copied down on 6x6 cardstock and put in their folders).

Rule 1: "Bee" FOCUSED. (time management)
Rule 2: "Bee" RESPECTFUL. (attitudes)
Rule 3: "Bee" RESPONSIBLE. (physical space)

They were focused, respectful and responsible the rest of the morning. At lunchtime for no reason the little one says: "I love you mommy. You're the best mommy in the whole world." What's the deal? Someone feeling bad about the way the morning went? Was I too hard on them? I don't know. I think I approached it with balance. A little overboard at first but in actuality their extra assignments were just catch up assignments they needed to do anyway. I hope this works. A couple years ago all they wanted to do was sleep in and work time just kept getting pushed further out (which took away afternoon free time), so this year we made the schedule because we wanted that afternoon free time. Otherwise, it's goodbye afternoon activities such as ballet and gymnastics.....