Help with My Daily Schedule

no one does it all. that's as simple as it is. you can't. and you only stress yourself out when you try.
list the most important things first. then list everything else that needs to get done and how often.
delegate. have children help. if you need to cut some of it out, do that.
it really helps when you put, on paper, everything that your family does in a typical week. go through and be objective and see what is working and what isn't. is this really worth it? with everything listed.

The curse of the woman of the new millenium, we're all trying to be superwoman. I know two people who manage to do it all. They both drink a lot of coffee and redbull and stay up until 2am doing housework and have no relationship with their husband. For me that just isnt an option, so I have finally accepted that not everything can get done. I have a routine that I stick to... drop off my son at daycare and come home with my daughter and put her down for a nap. Take care of whatever work needs to be done first (need that money) then attempt to tackle whatever I can in the way of housework. If I'm lucky my baby will give me 2-3 hours of naptime, if not I play with her all she wants. She will only be in this absolutely wonderful time of life for a short while and I dont want to miss it because I was too busy doing laundry. When I pick up my son I give him about an hour and then tell him I need to start prepping for dinner. Sometimes they sit on the counter and watch. My son even helps me make dinner sometimes (or at least that's what he believes). Frankly, I dont know how I will work in homework and extra activities when they get older, but I assume I'll work it out the best I can. The main thing to keep reminding yourself of is you CANNOT do it all. Not without serious detriment to your health. Do the best you can and prioritize. The priority always being the kids and what they need. My house is alot dirtier than I would like, its always disorganized and in need of attention, my job is not tended to the way it should be, but my family is generally happy and that's how I gage how well I'm doing. Good luck.

J.,

I am so glad you posted this. I have been wanting ask the same question. I have a 4 year old who just started pre-K and a 2 1/2 year old at home. It seems that my time is even more limited. I have a 5 1/2 hour window to get things done before i pick-up the oldest and then forget about getting any chores done after that. I also keep my 9 yr. old niece after school so it gets crazy around here. The one thing I am firm about is bath and bed time. If they don't go to bed by 8:00 pm they are a mess the next morning to get up and going. So I somethings have to use the "whip", sor tif speak, to get my husband and the girls to get with the program on this. But ut is worth it.
So I really look forward to what other suggestions everyone has.

J. - you are the mom! Reaching out for advice on what many of us struggle with as well. Here's what I do and mind you it's not set in stone so it changes as we see fit. I have a goal chart on my fridge for both my kids - 8 & 4 yr old - both my kids also have their daily chores. I try to tidy up when both my kids are at school. I even get the dinner as organized as I can so that I have minimal to do in the evening. Homework must be done by 6pm so we have time for a family dinner, reading, walking the dog & an occasional game. It works for us! Meal planning is done during the week so I know just what I will be making ahead of time and shop for those things (it's budget friendly and saves me lots of time - even though it does take time to plan)... Good luck and I too will be reading more responses because we're all looking to try something new because we love our families ... God bless

J.,

I agree with Faith. You can't do it all. You're not Superwoman and I don't think anyone expects you to be, you are only human. You need to prioritize. What is the most important thing to you; for instance is the reading and playtime that you have with your children more important than the extracurricular activities. You only get to see your children grow up once. I am not saying don't let them have friends, by all means they need friends. Have the friends over and let them over to the friends houses. But our kids grow up so fast we want to savor ever moment. Like I said step back and prioritize. What is the most important thing to you and your family!

Good luck. And remember, we are only human we can't do it all!

S.
35 y/o SAHM of 3 boys
13, 6 and 3

J., I'll have to keep an eye on the responses you get because I'm exactly in the same boat. I, too, have 3 children, (2 in school, a toddler at home). My typical routine includes getting up early for my daughters, take them to school; then I come home and work out, take a shower AND then I start whatever "chore" that needs to be done for the day. Play time with my baby is an ongoing thing for me. I don't have a "designated" time slot because I am constantly interacting with him and luckily, he does play very well by himself. In the afternoon, I pick up my daughters from school and I let them play outside anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour. Once inside, it's homework time and luckily my oldest, who is in 3rd grade doesn't need me too much for help. My first grader needs help getting started and while they do homework, I'm starting dinner. Reading usually comes after dinner but before bedtime. Bed time is 8:30 P.M. I know exactly how you feel. From the time I pick up my daughters, I am running a marathon and I usually don't get a chance to sit down and unwind until 9 P.M. It's hectic, I know.

J., I so know how you feel! I "timed" all my activities one day, and made a schedule. I get all my work done in the morning, even dinner! When the boys get home from school, I'm all theirs! Homework, play, dinner, baths. I then work from home in the evenings. My husband takes care of the boys from 7 to bedtime, and I work. I also took a hard look at all my activities, and stopped the ones that I didn't enjoy or weren't getting me to my goals. Don't worry when life attacks; sick kids, field trips, emergencies. Just get back on schedule asap. You'll be amazed at how good you feel when you have a plan!
C.
WAHM

I have 4 kids. The older 2 boys are 11 and 9. Then at home I have a 2 y.o. and an 8 month old. It seems if it is beyond dinner and laundry I never get a chance to do it. Once the older 2 get home from school it is an absolute free for all. I'm trying to get dinner ready, the boys are trying to do homework, the baby wants a bottle and the 2 y.o. wants attentions from the boys who have been at school all day. It's a mad house! My husband has been unemployeed for 10 months, so to try and have any semblence of order is almost laughable. I enjoy having things on a schedule and everything in order. I have a very large problem on my hands and its gonna take a while till work out all the kinks. The first job at hand it for Daddy to get a job and get outta my hair!!!! But once you get into the swing of things a regualr schedule is very easy.
Good luck, I know how your feeling.......

First, a little about me: I'm a 9-time gramma, oldest grandchild 16 yo

Okay: To get organized: First, make sure all your children understand the schedule is NOT flexible.

Second: forget the first rule, 'cuz it isn't going to happen!!!!! The house will probably be messy for a while - and - hubby may find that working from home is just a LITTLE bit tricky!!! You trying to keep his "work are" a place where he can actually do some work will work against your having a work schedule to do your "chores"...unless he is willing to take a break to watch the kiddies for a brief time when you have the most energy during the day?

So: the REAL first rule: relax a bit and be SURE to keep your sense of humor, above all else!

I totally agree with Faith. I work out of the home, so when I do make it home -- I have just a little bit of time with my little ones (almost 3yo girl and 4yo boy). My thing is that I plan meals... I think that helps out so much! It cuts costs and it saves time. Then I make sure we get reading in or practicing speech (son goes to speech therapy). I also make sure they clean up the living room and their rooms before bed. So my priorities at home are:
Meals
Reading/Speech
Brush teeth/baths
Clean living room
Clean rooms
Bed by 830p

All this is done before bedtime of 830p... or at least try. I don't always get it all done and sometimes schedule is squeezed by other circumstances, but I try. Just make sure to keep it simple and try to relax after they go to bed... LOL!

Just remember that the most important priorities are the basic ones. Try to encourage the 9yo to help too, like brush teeth with the younger ones or do homework with the 6yo.

Good luck!