Seeking Help Setting up a Schedule

You've already received some good advice, but I want to pass along another tidbit. I read the book called "A Mother's Rule of Life" by Holly Pierlot. This is a mother you love to hate... she homeschools her 5 (yes, 5) kids, has a very limited budget, and still keeps things clean, maintained and in order.

Reading it, I tried to find any excuse for why I couldn't do the same thing, but couldn't. I only have 2 kids; I, too have to cook every night; and I, too am on a limited budget. So, it is a great place to get ideas, even if you don't go 100% on what she says.

Well, it all starts with what time they get up. And whether or not they take a nap. But I base mine around meal times. My three year old, for instance, gets up at 8am. We have breakfast. Then its time to color, or go outside, or whatever morning activity we decide to do. then lunch is at 12:30pm. Then he takes a nap from 1-3:30, when he'll have a snack. He can play or watch a movie then until dinner at 5:30-6pm. And ofcourse after dinner, its bath and bed at 8pm. Definately plan meals, naps and baths to happen at the same time each day. And you can do whatever in between them.
I do think its very important to give kids little time each day to do whatever they feel like doing at that moment. Let kids be kids, right?!?! So dont feel you have to schedule every second of the day, just the times that need to get done, like meals and naps!! I hope this helps....good luck!

Check out flylady.net. Lots of good advice & ways to get your house in order & routines for moms & kids.

If your five-year-old will start school in the fall, that will help set a routine. Are you children in preschool?

You have a full-time job at home, so use a day planner/calendar. I have a large wall calendar (yet it sits on my desk of counter...easier to write). Start incorporating a school-like schedule slowly into your daily routine. Set lunch, tv time, workbook pages time, outside play, field trips, grocery trips, etc. Jumping in head first might cause some grief, so start with a few things at a time.

If you're moving in a few months, setting a schedule/routine might be a little more difficult. Try to stick to meal and bed times for sure, and then slowly work in the other things.

The most important thing for me is making sure I have all the right food in the house so I can provide meals quickly and on time. Sit down and make a list of meals you plan to serve in the week, then make a master grocery list according to sections of the store--produce first, then "dry groceries", dairy, etc. Shop for the entire week in one trip. It can be daunting to take 2 kids to the store, but make it an activity. Use the car carts, let them weigh veggies and put things into the cart. Let them pick a special treat or plan a meal to involve them.

Now, figure out what times meals will be and stick to it. It's important that you plan outings so that you will be home in time to cook/prepare the meals. We really try to sit down for a family dinner when my husband gets home (which sets our schedule) but this isn't always possible. Play time, tv time and outdoor time can be fit in around the meals. Good luck!

R.:

Hello! With an upcoming move - I would give each child a box and a basket. The box for things they don't use any more, clothes they don't fit in to and the basket for the MUST HAVE toys. Get rid of as much as possible - living simple helps. I know it's hard in this day and age of keeping up with the Jones'. However, I can't tell you how much easier it is to go by the rule "if I haven't touched it in six months, I must not need it".

Now as to setting up a schedule - what works best for you? Checklists, appointment times, etc.? A schedule would mean that you get up at the same time each day to follow a pattern - once a pattern is established, everything just falls in to place.

For example:

Wake up
Breakfast
make beds (kids can do this even at 4 years old!)
get dressed

I have my boys set out their clothes the night before so there is no confusion about what they should be doing.

If you generate laundry on a daily basis and are tired of trying to do it all in one day (Saturday or Sunday), collect the clothes after you get dressed and throw a load in the washer. Put the clothes away when you are done folding them - believe it or not - this works!

Food/meals:

Do you over-purchase and need to use up some food? Go through your cabinets and freezer to see what you have.

I make a "menu of the week" and then prepare meals based on that and what's going on during the week - baseball, soccer, Tae Kwon Do, school plays, etc.

When you shop, make a list BEFORE you shop based on what you have, what you want to make for the meals and coupons you have. Make sure you have your coupons attached to the list when you shop.

If you don't go out for lunch - make sure you take that into consideration when you planning your meals. Sandwiches can get boring every day - I try and keep "hot pockets" or some other frozen food in the freezer - I even get the Lunchables (maxed out is filling for my boys) so when I hear "not another PB&J", I can offer an alternative (especially if I'm bored with the PB&J!)

Have the kids step up to the plate with helping out. My 5 year old puts the silverware and napkins on the table for dinner and my 8 year old pours the drinks.

I have my kids put their clothes away - as well as my husband!

I have a rule - NO DIRTY DISHES in the sink when I go to bed. My husband's lunch is made the night before as well as the boys' lunches and/or snacks for school. I make sure his coffee is done too. I know I sound manic, I'm not - but I can't tell you how much better it is knowing that my morning won't be rushed getting everything done.

Please feel free to contact me directly - I'll help in any way I can!

Take care!

We are on a fairly scheduled life here.
8am-kids get dressed while I feed baby bottle
8:30-morning prays and circle time (we homeschool) and kids morning chores (feed pets, empty dishwasher while I cook breakfast)
9-10 breakfast and free play
10-1 School time (during their independent work I scramble to get at least 1 household thing done)
1-2:30 Lunch and free play
2:30-4 Rest time (My 6 yr old reads in her room and my 4 yr old naps or looks at books in bed)
This is MY time. I do some house chores but only 30 minutes worth. Then I read or get on the computer or nap or watch TV.
4-6 Free play and help prep dinner (optional for them)
6-6:30 Evening chores (clean up the yard or playroom, set table and help get dinner to the table)
7:30 bath or free play
8 story time
9 bedtime
The baby fits into it all on her own schedule of course. But she is fairly in sync with us. At least two afternoons we skip rest and head to the library or park or other homeschool event. The weekends are chaotic and the schedule goes out the window. I made a poster of the schedule so my kids would have a sense of what comes next. WE ARE NOT STRICT SCHEDULE KEEPERS, BUT THIS IS GENERALLY WHAT WE DO.
After the kids are in bed, I get set up for the next day (set coffee pot, get bottle ready, get schoolwork organized) and then sit down with my husband for TV or talking or whatever.
I get up at 7:30 and it all starts over again! :-)

Hi R.,

Creating a daily schedule will most certainly help you to be more organized.

First, write down the things that must be done each day. Then write down the things that you would like to do, whether it be a chore, fun things with your kids, or a personal goal. Each day might be different so it's a good idea to plan the week. Either use a planner or create a daily schedule.

Also, each child could have their own daily schedule or chore sheet. Visit Chart Jungle online. They have a variety of printable sheets for everyone, and they are free.

http://www.chartjungle.com/chores/youngchildren.html is a typical chore sheet for young kids. Kids love to check things off, especially if you tie a reward to it. Kids also love routine and schedules, so make a decision what time you will be outside playing, learning, tv and snack and remember you're in charge. You can always have the occasional day that's flexible - rainy days are perfect for that.

If you have any other homemaker friends with kids who are playmates, maybe you can coordinate schedules. Having scheduled times to meet friends, be somewhere etc. will make you accountable.

When planning meals, plan for the week, instead of trying to "wing it" on the day. Then you need to shop only once a week for the ingredients. If your kids nap, that might be a good time to do a little preparation. You don't have to wait until 5pm to start preparing - you can prep earlier in the day (or even the week) and store in the refrigerator or freezer, depending on the type of food item you're storing.

Visit http://www.haloorganizers.com for more organizing and time management tips. Good luck getting organized!

J.

It sounds like you may need a schdule for sanity purposes. This is what works for me and try it for you. I have 3 1/2 year old twins and a 21 mos old. The kids wake anywhere between 7-8am. They get a cereal bar, cereal or sometimes I make pancakes w/juice, milk or my one daughter loves chocolate milk so I buy Carnation and put a spoonful in. Dress them, etc. At 9:30 if the weather is rainy they grab a book and have storytime. They will all play in their playroom or go for a walk. Talk about nature or whatever you want. Pick a color, shape, etc. and focus on that or an animal. They sometimes get a snack @10:30 and lunch is around 11:30-12. They watch a little t.v. before naps which all go down at 1pm. That gives me 2 hours of clean up, laundry, etc. They wake at 3pm and get a light snack (fruit) and a drink and back outside we go. When the weather is cold the schedule changes. My kids love arts and crafts so sometimes I let them color or paint in the morning or after naps. Dinner is at 5pm because they melt horribly if it's 5:01 during the summer. We eat, clean up and they play again. Evening is free play to do whatever. Too much structure makes me crazy so I let them do what they want within reason. Baths are at 7-7:30 and bed at 8. I honestly followed their lead when they were babies and this just kept going so in a way they created their schedule. See what your children do on a daily basis and incorporate that with your own daily routine. Good luck.

D. F.

Hi R.,

I don't know if this will help you but it helped me. My kids have always been on a schedule from day one and they are teenagers and are still on a schedule. It starts with mom. Kids should eat breakfast no later than 7 am, depending if they are in school, 8 am the latest. Snack varies between 10:30 11:00 then lunch around noon. Being that you have the 3 year old they have nap time so snack time will be before he/she lays down and lunch should be after he/she gets up. Then the 5 year old should be coming in from school. Snack time for the 5 year old. Keep to the same routine you can get some house work done and peace of mind...

I am also a SAHM. I have a 20 month old baby girl and a 5 yr old boy in preschool, I have a new puppy, an old cat, a often gone military husband, my brother now lives with us and I'm going back to college flltime. I am busy. I use a large desk calender. Each day has six or seven lines on it so I use a line for everyone so I don't mess up. I write everything down, doc appointments, field trips, laundry chores, dinner plans, class exams, and maybe even a hair appointments for mom. I have a planner in my purse that I write most of the stuff in so I can make other appointments, if I need. This works for me, I need to write things down to remember them. Hope it works!!!

It can be hard to get and keep a schedule going but maybe you should just start with a few things and get those down then add more later. Maybe get a sleeping/eating routine going like... 7am time to wake up, 7:30 breafast, 11:30 is lunch, 12:30pm naptime, 2 they wake up, 2:30pm snack, 6 dinnertime, 7:45 bath and read a book, 8 is bedtime

Maybe if you start with something simple like that and then figure out which part of the day is best for the other things it will be easier on your family.

I have kids the same age. Here is our schedule on non-preschool days if this helps you.
7:30 to 8 breakfast
8 to 10 play time inside or out
10 or 10:30 snack time
10:30 more playtime, maybe a tv show
12 to 1 lunch
1 to 2 play time inside
2 to 4 nap or quiet time
4 snack
4;30 playtime outside or a couple of shows
6 dinner
7 tub time
7:45 storytime
8 lights out

Hi R.,

Get you an appointment book like Dr.'s use in their offices.

Depending how many folks are in your family, that is the number of columns to get.

For example if their are 3, you, your husband and child they get a 3 column book.

Put a name at the top of the column of each person and then put in the times that you want to eat, sleep, do errands, whatever. Refer to the book until you get in a habit.

It is helpful to use it forever though.

Good luck Hope this helps. Sometimes health and beauty supplies will have appointment books.

A web address is: www.ataglance.com

D.

Hi R.! I know exactly what you're going through because I used to be the same way. I also run my own biz from home so I HAD to have a schedule. Here's what I did that worked and what I suggest to you:

1. Start your morning centering yourself and preparing for your day...you're going to need balance and your kids will respond to how YOU greet the day. If you're disorganized and frazzled they will be too. I usually pray and read the Bible for some encouragement and strength to deal with whatever comes my way.

2. Don't try to plan every single minute or every hour. Give yourself some flex. Start with major chunks of the day and if something falls through you've already built that into the schedule.

3. After you do whatever it is you do for YOUR morning routine (exercise, pray, read, plan, think), now get the kids up...but make sure you're dressed and ready for the day!

4. Establish a consistent breakfast time and follow through.

5. Mid-morning: some activity...creative play, help you clean a room, go outside, library day, zoo...whatever.

6. Now it's lunch.

7.Nap if appropriate. Then snack and more activity. Then it's dinner and you're done!

My day looks like this:

6a: Up to get myself together with prayer and thinking time.
8a: Get my 21 month old daughter up.
8:30a: Breakfast for both of us
10:00: We're doing something...grocery shopping, errands or something creative for her. Although don't underestimate the grocery store...do you realize how many colors and shapes are there??
12:00: Lunch
12:30: Nap
2:30: Snack
3:00: Outside
4:00: Getting dinner together
6:30: Dinner
8:00: Light's out!

**And in case you're wondering, I work on my business a little during the day, some during her nap, but mostly when she's down for the night.

I hope this isn't TMI...just wanted to be helpful! Let me know how it all works out!

L. B

Hi, R.,

You're right that everything is easier with a routine. Have you been to Flylady.net? She teaches everything you need to know, starting with the very basics. She even keeps you on track with e-mail reminders. It's well worth signing up for her free list, and getting started! http://www.flylady.net

I hope that's helpful-

J.

Hi R.! This is N. and I am living proof that this scheduling thing really can work for anybody! LOL
I'm a SAHM homeschooling 3 boys 12, 7 & 2 yrs old. For over 5 yrs I have been wondering in the dark every day. Sometimes things would get beeter and I thought I was on the right road. Then we'd hit a "bump", which can be as simple as a phone call, and BAM! It was all over. CHAOS would erupt and again it would feel like I had not accomplished ANYTHING! But I was so tired at the end of the day.
Now...we get our school work done, we have meals AND snacks at the same time daily. Nap time is 2 hours daily...at the same time. This is awesome by itself but there's more! We have all 3 bedrooms COMPLETELY decluttered and everything in our home has it's place. (It might not be in it's place right now but at least it now has it's place.) My kitchen is cleaned and the dishwasher is loaded daily when we are home. We have scheduled outings each week and my husband can come home and SEE that we really have worked hard each day. My favorite moment recently was when I called for our 2yr old to come set the table for dinner. The look on my husband's face was priceless! LOL! He couldn't believe that little Kruz could really do it all by himself!
That loning that you feel to have your home organized and scheduled is normal and real. Don't let anyone tell you different. YOU CAN DO IT!
Email me anytime for help. I will share everything I know with you.
Take Care and best of luck to you! N. =)

um just make up a schedule and do it. thats the best way to approach it.
I get the kids up and watch a cartoon or 2 til I am awake. Then I make breakfast. Clean it up immediately. That is key w/ me. Dont save mealtime clean up til later it will never get done. After breakfast is a good time for a structured activity because the kids arent hyper yet. Then they need free time. During which time you can do laundry or whatever. I like to try to take them outside for about 45min. before lunch...gets their appetite up. Then lunch...which I make as close to their naptime as possible becuz while they are eating they are calmming down and are usually ready for a nap. During their nap I will either do chores or I nap as well.
After nap they get a little snack. Dad usually comes home around then so they do whatever pretty much the rest of the day. That is about 430 on. Dinner is around 530 or 6.
Around bedtime we do a routine as well. Bath and pjs then the goodnight show for 30-45min. Then bed. We dont ever have bedtime issues, which is wonderful. Hope this helps.

Oh, how nice it would be if we could have a schedule. I learned pretty quickly that there is no such thing. We do what we can when we can, and just when I thought we had a routine figured out, it changed. When it comes to kids, that's just the way it is.

~L.

This fall, will your 5 year old start kindergarten? That will force you to establish a routine.

It is good that you want to create a routine now, before she does start kindergarten. Kindergarten is all about routines, so if she has one now that she follows, itll only make the transition to kindergarten that much easier.

Maybe you could go ahead and pretend that she is in kindergarten, timing wise that is. Wake up at the time she'd have to get up for school and make sure she has eaten breakfast by that time too. Your 3 year old can go along for this ride too :)

Most schools have websites so maybe you can see what a typical kindergarten schedule is so you can see what time maybe they go outside for recess and eat lunch.

Any "class time" could be set aside for cleaning or errands (maybe from after breakfast to lunch) and the afternoons can be spent playing with your kids.

It shouldnt be hard to make and follow a routine, just sit down and think of times that you'd like to get things done, write it down, and follow it!
:)