I like to say that I am a routine driven; that I can write a schedule and stick to it. In reality, though, I tend to be more "chair driven". I like to sit and relax. Some might call that lazy but I call it the ability to relax. The problem is that sometimes I probably relax a little too much :-) I've had a few months off from babysitting which has allowed freedom for my schedule and I've been taking advantage it. Such as, not needing to set an alarm (my kids are my alarm) not needing to watch the clock to make sure lunch and snacks are served on time or making sure my kitchen is cleaned up before the 3:00. :-) While it has been nice I'm starting to feel the after effects of it - that feeling of not accomplishing much. I'm also starting to see that as my kids get older, they need a little more structure to make sure that I can help direct them to some things throughout the day. I don't mind cartoon watching but we working on watching less of it; I don't mind computer games but we are limiting those as well. Other things, like crafts, schooling, and exercise time all taking planning. I'm a really good planner but not a great finisher so I'm working on that too.
I figured that now that I'm getting close to "working" again (I.e.babysitting) it was time to implement a schedule of some kind once again. Even though I put times into this, I'm well aware that with three boys ages 2, 3, and 4 plus a newborn, the times really don't matter. I only use them as a guideline to help me stay on track throughout the day.
Basic Daily Schedule
6:00-7:00 - (yuck - but I have too!) - Do my Morning Routine (which consists of showering, getting ready for the day, making my bed and having my quiet time.)
7:00-8:00 - Kid time - this is when the munchkin and princess arrive and my kids get up so breakfast and getting kids dressed for the day are all part of this time. My kids normally eat Pop Tarts or Fruit/Grain bars for breakfast so it is easy :-)
8:00-10:00 - Kids play time/my "work" time. I have daily routines such as specific cleaning tasks, preschool planning, baking, or making stuff for my lunch for the next week etc. that needs to get done during this time.
10:00-11:00 - Preschool Time (we don't normally do preschool on Friday's - but we do our theme activities and/or plug in some special activity during this time or on a nice day, we can all go to the park and have a picnic for lunch or take off to the mall to play in the playland or other fun activity that is "easy" to do with pre-school age kids.)
11:00-12:00 - Finish up Preschool activities (if we are doing a special project), do small tasks such as folding laundry, emptying the DW and also fixing lunch.
12:00-1:00 - Lunch time/clean up time/chore time for the boys (this is something new - the boys are going to have 4 basic chores they need to do after lunch such as - brush their teeth, make their beds, put their dishes away, and feed the animals.)
1:00-2:00 - "Gym" time (exercise time). I want to do a small workout during this time and think the boys will have a fun time doing it with me; plus depending on the weather we can go for a walk or play a game inside or outside.
2:00-3:00 - Planned time for the kids - games, computer time, reading, etc. (I want to start reading chapter books to the boys so I think we'll start this time with reading each day and then play learning games either computer driven or "floor" driven HA) I would even like to get them things like Army Guys and "teach" them how to play; build with legos and Lincoln Logs and more. Sidwalk chalk and paint, the pool (when it is warm enough), squirt guns, bubbles and more. Really - this is directed play time to get the boys doing something other than sitting in front of the TV.
3:00-4:00 - Free time - for all of us :-) (This hour of time, for me, allows me to "gear up" for the end of the day which is pretty crazy with tired, hungry kids)
4:00-7:30 - Evening Routine - a lot goes on during this time; The munchkin and princess head home, dinner prep, Darryl comes home, family play time, dinner, bath time and bedtime.
7:30-9:30 - Adult time. Kids are in bed and Darryl and I just watch our favorite shows and catch up on our computers.
9:30ish - bedtime. (Well, I'm going to try!!)
There are some weekly things that aren't in the schedule such as grocery shopping and other errands. I'm not really keen on hauling four kids to the grocery store if I don't have to so I will either shop on Saturday mornings with the boys (crazy, I know) or go in the evening after Darryl gets home - maybe on his 3:00 day or just go on Thursday's since he has ever other Thursday off (I can go during the day on those Thursdays). We'll see :-)
Weekends are not planned :-) On Weekends that Darryl has to work my goal is to get scrapbooking done or plan some fun time with the boys. The weekends he doesn't work - we try to do something as a family. The kids get lots of free time :-)
How's that for a schedule? It really is similar to what we normally do but it contains more structure then what I do right now.
Now . . to print this and up it into action!
