Any Sahm's?

It's hard having a set schedule with small children in the house, but we try to stick to some schedulled things. Like- after they wake up, we have breakfast and then some snuggle time. Then we either go out or play in the playroom. Then naptime (they take early naps) wake up then lunch. Then we play or go out. Dinner is at 5. Bathtime is at 7, then snack and bedtime at 8. My suggestion is to pick a few things that are important to try to stick to (meal times, nap times etc.) and schedule those and let the rest of the pieces fall where they may ;)

(Edited to add- I second the Flylady suggestion! It absolutely makes life much easier and manageable! :)

I am at Stay-At-Home Mom as well, and I definitely have a schedule for myself and my 2 yr. old. I am expecting a new baby in three weeks, and the schedule has helped a lot. We both know what to expect when, and when there is flexible time.
For example:

From 7-8 am : Wake-Up Call
8-9: Breakfast
9-11 am: Playtime, Errands, or PLaygroup
11 am: Books or other Quiet activity
12pm: Lunch
1 pm: Naptime (This always changes becuase some days she sleeps longer than others)

3 pm: Snack
3:30: Playtime Outside
4:30: Dinner Prep
5:30: Dinner
6:30: Daddy Time
7:30: Bath
8-8:30: TV Time or Books
8:30: BEDTIME

I try to be flexible with becuase days can't walys be the same. Sometimes more needs to be done on my end, such as chores or something.

Hope this helps.

Hi B.!
My day is CRAZY, just like most other SAHM's. BUT, we are on a schedule & I do believe that is the only way to make it work.... What really helps me out a lot is Flylady. Yes, you receive A LOT of emails everyday. But it helps keep me on a schedule & my house is always tidy, laundry caught up, etc. It's www.flylady.net. The calender is a God send, Office in a Bag has also worked out well. Maybe this could help you too. Good luck & best wishes for your new baby!

I have five, and two things. Yes, it's easier and life is better on a schedule...with five kids, it's almost impossible to stay on a schedule. LOL. No matter what I SAY my day is going to be like...something inevitably throws a monkey wrench into it. So honestly, I schedule, I do the things I can, but mostly, I have learned to schedule AND go with the flow. It's either that? Or lose my sanity. One last thing that I started doing 3 years ago, when my brother passed away...worry about today. Tomorrow isn't here yet, you can't plan or worry about something that isn't here...plan, schedule, live in today, the rest works itself out. None of us knows wether we'll be here tomorrow or not, so why let it affect our today? Bottom line with kids, life is never easy, I know people with one who struggle...love them, do things with them, spend time with them, teach them to be responsible and to be honest!

Take care and Godbless you and all your babies!

Having a schedule is nice and helps the older kids know will be next, but don't stress over the schedule!!! Have some back-up things that the kids can do if something needs to be changed around or mix it up for different days of the week. My kids like the schedule of knowing what I need them to do but also are really pleased when we have a special thing we do once a week. It gives them something to look forward too. It also helps so use it as a barganing chip to keep them focused during the rest of the week. If you need to talk I know how you are feeling. I have Nick 6yrs, Tyler 3yrs, and Fletcher 18mos, with our fourth a girl in November.

Whenever there is a new addition, schedules make everyone feel like they are in control. My eldest is almost seven and can't go to bed at night without knowing "the plan" for tomorrow, even if it's getup, eat breakfast, play, snack, play, lunch, quiet play, snack, play, dinner, play, bath, bed. The rigidity of your schedule really depends on all the other things going on like naps, pickups/dropoffs at school, stuff like that. Right now, my schedule is pretty relaxed but as soon as school starts we will be back to a pretty strict day simply b/c we all feel better with knowing what's coming. It sounds like you will definitely have your hands full and a schedule may take some of the stress for you by making it routine. Good luck with the new baby!

Hi,
I am a SAHM with four kids 8, 6, 2 1/2 and 6 months old I do not follow a schedule but think it would be alot easier if I had one I am defintely going to try to have more of a schedule when the older kids go back to school. Good luck with the new baby!

Hi B. ! It is great to see you here.

Let's see, a schedule...what is that??? LOL I tried really hard to stick to a tight schedule when my son was a baby but you know I am not a schedule person. The kids pretty much eat and sleep at about the same times, but otherwise each day is different for us. I tend to do things on a whim and don't always plan days in advance and my kids respond well to that. It would be my thought that if they are used to a schedule then that may be your best bet, but if they aren't, that change may make things harder.

I don't know if this helped, but I would like you to know that I wish you all the best.

Blessings.
M.

You are my hero! Those last two are pretty close together. I don't know how you do it! I must be a big baby. :o} I work one day a week but stay at home the other six with my two sons-one is almost four and the other is 8 months. Heck yeah it is easier with a routine. Even with just my two I found that without a routine the days just seemed to run together in a big blur. Everything got more predictable when I mapped it out a little. For me I was better able to see the openings for the stuff I wanted to do outside "momming".

Congrats on #4 and good luck!

K.

I agree with the others, too -- a schedule definitely helps things run smoother! I'm very big on public libraries and parks - I check the schedule each week and mark the calendar for storytimes, craft events, etc, so each day we have something ready and waiting for us. Of course there's still plenty of free time together, but a skeleton structure to each day is a huge help. For example: breakfast at 7am, library at 10am, lunch at 12pm, then the afternoon is open for playtime or playdates with friends, or any errands that need doing, then dinner at 6pm and bed at 7pm. Hope this helps! :-)

Hi B.. I am a stay at home mom and we try to stay on somewhat of a schedule. It is a little difficult on these long summer days but we definately do during the school year. I think it helps the kids to know what to expect during their day. I have three boys and we just had a girl in April = ) I think it helps to freeze meals ahead of time so when your baby is born you have an easier time. I am sure you have already heard that before.
Congratulations on your son =) It sounds like you are going to have a baby real soon. What an exciting time for your family.
T.

I believe children thrive better on a routine schedule. I mean, sure there are those moments that you can't live by it exactly. However, my kids do wonderful on a schedule and it gives myself and my husband time for eachother:) After you have your new baby it'll take a month or two or three to develop a new routine! Don't get discouraged, it's only temporary-then you will move in a ballet fashion or at least most of the time. Good luck on your new addition!

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|"}I am a SAHM and I have 4 kids n kklkl; also, ages 7,5,2 and 5 1/2 months and I also do in-home child care.

Kids do sooo much better with a routine. To get one started it is easier to start small and add things in where they fit best. Start with meals and nap/bedtimes. kids are less cranky if they arent hungry or tired, then once you figure out what times work best for that you can start to add the rest of your day.
Good Luck and give it time.

I enjoy the ability to do LOTS with my kids and having to tight of a schedule would not allow that to happen. What IS scheduled is bath/stories/bedtime and the general time that breakfast/lunch/dinner are made. Other than that we are busy busy busy and enjoy doing many different things on different days. and I'd have to say our best days are our NO TV DAYS..which in the summer is much easier then the winter but we do it year round

Hi. I'm a SAHM right now, although I'm getting ready to start a part time job in a couple weeks. I only have two kids, ages 4 and 19 months, but I would have to say I follow a schedule to make my life easier. Plus my kids function better on a schedule. My 19 month old especially loves it and she's like clockwork for nap times, etc. Hope this helps a little. Good luck with the fourth. I hope all goes well.

S.

My DH is a teacher so he is a SAHD in the summer months. he has our 20 month old daughter on a routine, not a rigid schedule but something more flexible, but she takes her naps around the same time each day, etc. it helps our daughter with having a somewhat familiar day,but also gives enough variety that she doesnt freak out if we do something different. :)

B., I'm a stay at home mom & I also babysit part-time. I've found children with schedules are better behaved, more appreciative and happier over all. If they are allowed to do whatever whenever, it's too much freedom; They get bored. If they are allowed a certain amount of tv, video games, board games, free play, outside play, snack time & lunch, etc.. they seem to enjoy everything more. They even get excited about 'game time' at 3pm and have something to look forward to. Where as, if they could play the game anytime, it would gradually lose its appeal. Also they feel secure because they know what to expect each and every day. Special trips to the park and such are also appreciated much more, because they realize that it really is something special. Lastly, I've got to say, it really makes your life much easier. If they've all got scheduled craft time, tv time, play time lunch time etc..., you don't have to constantly think of what to do to keep them entertained, you only have to make your schedule that works for you/them and stick with it. Good Luck!

Hi B.,

I am a SAHM with two boys ages 2 and 4. I have always had my kids on a schedule and it makes a big difference. If we deviate from the schedule (i.e. skip naps), it causes big problems!!! I was an elementary teacher before having kids so I know that kids thrive on a schedule. It helps them know what to expect during their day. After having my second child, it took me about 4 months to get on a good schedule that worked for all of us. Hope this helps!!

I've always tried to stay on a schedule as much as possible..with babies, it's not usually possible, but you can have a semi-flexible schedule still...so that the other kids know that we do this, then this, then the next thing, etc....and what time it's done isn't as important as keeping things in the same order so that they know what to expect of their day. And let them know every morning if they are going to have a change in their routine, so they can plan for that, instead of expecting story time with Mom and having to go run errands or something like that...know what I mean?

i only have one child mysefl but we have a relaxed routine...but with 4 kids i think a routine is very important to all your children so you feel you have a sence of control and it's not chaotic.