Shari Prater is COO of Prater Family Operations, alongside her husband and CEO, Lucas (that’s code for being a stay-at-home mom). They live in Flower Mound with their three boys, Will, 9; Caleb, 6; and Joshua, 2.
7AM I’ve opened my eyes several times now to check the clock. I’m sometimes awakened at sunrise by the feeling of warm breath in my face, as a nose touches my ear and sweetly shouts, “Mommy, you up?!” And like a shot, I’m up. But this isn’t one of those days, so I must motivate myself. Only one word comes to mind – coffee. I sneak into the kitchen to start the magic brew.
7:10AM Time to wake Will and Caleb. They are becoming more self-sufficient in getting themselves ready. As I negotiate arguments about underwear and socks, I hurry to get breakfast on the table and take the first sips of that precious coffee. I have to remind myself to slow down and savor the moment.
7:30AM We start our day together with ongoing banter while we eat breakfast. Usually it’s a simple bowl of cereal with fruit or yogurt. Some mornings I fancy myself to be “super mom” and make something that actually requires the use of the stove or oven.
7:50AM After breakfast, the boys try to derail the clean-up regimen. But with a full day ahead, we need to get started. Each boy clears his dishes and places them in the dishwasher before I finish loading and push the button.
8AM I head for the shower – 10 minutes of uninterrupted bliss. The boys are making their beds, brushing their teeth and feeding the dogs. Or sometimes jumping on their beds and brushing the dogs’ teeth.
8:30AM Time to wake Joshua with a little snuggle time. Then off to the kitchen for some grub.
8:40AM In our family of five, it’s necessary to do laundry at least once a day, so I pop some clothes in the wash.
8:45AM Homeschooling begins. While we are not confined to a rigid plan, I’ve found it works best to keep as close to a routine schedule as possible. It minimizes distractions or procrastination and helps ensure everyone meets their daily expectations.
12:45PM By now stomachs begin to rumble, and it’s time to prepare lunch. Will loves to make his specialty for everyone, peanut butter and jelly, while I prepare fruit and veggies. Caleb empties the dishwasher while Joshua “helps” everyone. He is especially good at sticking his fingers in the peanut butter and then placing the clean dishes on the floor. Such a helper!
1PM Lunchtime involves in-depth conversations about Mario Bros. or the latest fascination of the moment. When everyone is done, the boys take care of their dishes while I hose down Joshua and ponder options to remove peanut butter from his shirt. I am reminded it’s time to put the laundry in the dryer.
1:30PM After a morning cooped up inside, the back yard is calling. The boys toss a ball or search for bugs, and I wage war with the weeds in the flowerbeds.
2PM The intensity of Joshua’s whining usually peaks about now, which means it’s naptime.
2:15PM With Joshua asleep, quiet time begins. Will grabs a book while Caleb opts for artwork. Sometimes we need to finish schoolwork or resolve questions in those inquisitive little minds that demand answers. I’ve found that homeschooling does create a non-stop, broad-based learning environment. Then I start cleaning the house. I’ve broken it down into different sections each day, as there are too many interruptions to get it all done at once.
3:15PM Cleaning and quiet time now over, Will and Caleb enjoy some playtime. I head upstairs for some “me” time. While some say there is no place for this selfish indulgence, I consider it a priority in keeping my sanity and a positive disposition. I enjoy reading a book, watching a little TV or spending time with the Lord.
3:45PM I grudgingly pull myself away and head down to make snacks. I also pull the laundry out of the dryer, and we all work on folding it together.
4PM Shhh … do you hear it? “Mommy, where are you?” Joshua is up and waiting for an audience to watch him jump and tumble on his bed. When Cirque du Joshua is over, we all head outside for snacks.
4:20PM Snacks over, we move to the front yard, where the boys join their friends to play and the moms enjoy conversations that don’t involve bodily function humor or any mention of action heroes.
5:30PM Lucas calls to tell me he’s on his way home, and we head in and start dinner.
6PM Lucas arrives home to the melodic sounds of anarchy – loving, but anarchy nonetheless.
6:30PM Time to eat. Everyone discusses the favorite part of their day, interrupted only with reminders to keep mouths closed while chewing.
7PM Again, everyone is responsible for their own plates. Lucas cleans up the rest of the kitchen while I handle bath time.
7:30PM We all congregate in the family room to talk, laugh and just enjoy time together playing a game, working a puzzle or watching TV.
8:15PM Our nightly ritual, “running from Daddy.” As implied, Lucas chases the boys around the house in hopes of tiring them out. Funny, Daddy seems to be the only one who is tired out!
8:20PM We read, sing songs, say a prayer and finally, lights out.
8:45PM I look over tomorrow’s curriculum before enjoying quiet time with Lucas. The night wouldn’t be complete without a few entrances from the boys.
11PM Night, John Boy …
Diaries are penned by moms (and dads) in the North Texas area. The authors volunteer to share a day of their choosing and are not paid or endorsed by NorthTexasChild. Send your diary to editorial@dfwchild.com. All submissions are subject to editing and may be cut for space.
