In becoming a stay-at-home mom, I have some pretty LOFTY aspirations
for all the changes I hope we can make as a family. But I know that if I try to
conquer all of my goals in the first week of this new life, it will be a recipe
for disaster, and I will end up exhausted and overwhelmed, with lots of sticky
notes stuck haphazardly to various parts of my body. In order to avoid this
scenario, I think it is wiser to aim low and focus on one SAHM goal at a time.
For my first week at home, I would really like to try and establish a
daytime schedule that works for everyone in our family. I’ve done lots of R&D, reading SAHM blogs and online forums, trying to figure
out the winning formula for SAHM time management. After gathering all my data
together, I’ve worked with my Google calendar to create a basic daily
schedule that takes meals, activities, naps, and cleaning all into account.
It looks like this:
6:30 – 8:00 am: Morning
Preparation - potty/diaper changing, breakfast and nursing,
get the kids dressed, parents shower/dress, brush teeth/hair, free play)
8:00 – 9:00 am:
Exercise/Movement – outdoor walk, tricycle ride,
playground visit, or indoor exercise and active play with dance/movement, OR
grocery shopping if needed
9:00 – 9:30 am: Snack and
diapers/potty time
9:30 am – 12:00 pm: Activity
– playgroup, library activity, visit museum, etc. (Oren takes first nap)
12:00 – 12:30 pm:
Lunch time
12:30 – 2:00 pm:
Quiet time - naps, reading books,
drawing, movie, etc. (if the kids nap, mommy works on cleaning and/or projects)
2:00 – 4:30 pm:
One child visits with Baba, while the other
gets one-on-one time with mommy. Art activity, cooking, or developmental
activity with Emmy. Nap time or developmental activities with Oren.
4:30 – 5:30 pm:
Clean up from day, on own play, or outdoor
play (visit playground)
5:30 – 6:30 pm:
One parent cooks and cleans while the other
plays with the kids
6:30 – 7:00 pm: Dinner as a
family
7:00 – 7:30 pm:
Bath time and prepare for bed
(potty/diaper changing, brush teeth, pajamas, read books)
7:30 – 8:00 pm:
Kids go to sleep
Do you think this will work? Am I being delusional?
You are not delusional. I'm sure I don't have to tell you, but make sure you are flexible... Don't stop the fun just to move on with the schedule. Focus less on time and more on routine. Children crave routine and knowing what comes next.
ReplyDeleteDon't be afraid to be spontaneous too! If kids are cranky in afternoon sometimes it's nice to get out of the house and have an unexpected adventure.
Good luck! I hate the term SAHM, because I don't really stay at home. I just don't get paid to work. Anyway, it's the best decision I ever made and even on our bad days I'm still a million times happier.
thank you! yes, i totally understand that the schedule shouldn't keep us from having fun, and flexibility is key! i just wanted a broad-strokes outline to the day and week, so i wouldn't be twiddling my thumbs OR pulling out my hair :)
Deletei agree that the term SAHM is a misnomer, because i spend more time OUTSIDE the house than at home with my kids (as do MANY moms that "stay at home"). maybe a more appropriate term would be "roam around mom"?
thanks again for reading and sharing wisdom - SO appreciated!
d
It's good to have a plan, especially a flexible one. At the end of the day, if everyone is fed, clean, and happy, you are doing very well. If you've managed to teach your kids something too, you are doing amazingly well. :) Have fun!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for reading and commenting, and for being so supportive. I am trying to focus on being flexible, and only using the schedule as a jumping-off point for our daily activities. Seeing my daughter learn to recognize the letter A this week was definitely one of the highlights of my first week, and I hope the kids and I can continue to find ways to laugh and learn together (any trade secrets are greatly appreciated)! :)
DeleteInterested to know how the plan is working for you. I hope you are enjoying your new life. :) I love being a full time mom, personally, but it is so exhausting and challenging! Sometimes I am certain it would be easier to go back to the office, but "ease" of life is not why we're doing this, is it? Keep writing! I really connect with your blog. :)
ReplyDeletethank you so much for checking in! all is going well, and i've learned A TON (about motherhood, my children, patience, etc.) just in one month! The office life is DEFINITELY easier, but the daily rewards of this life are incredible, as you well know. i will be posting updates soon, i promise! thank you for being so supportive and encouraging!
Deletebig hugs,
d