Need Help Making Daily Schedule

Hi C.. I struggle with this myself and find that writing up a schedule does help-- even if I can't follow it religiously.

Two other things that have helped huge around here:
1) Insist on the kids picking up their own toys. When straightening up toys 3X a day got off my to do list, suddenly I had so much extra time.
2) Delegate! Your older children and especially your husband can take some of the weight off. Let him take responsibility for certain things, or bathe the kids several times a week to free you up. If he complains, point out that if you guys can get the chores done faster together, there will be more time for the two of you in the evening, plus you won't be so tired (hint hint) ;)
3) I remember the exhaustion of having a newborn in the house, but I can only imagine what you're going through with 3 other kids, a husband and a house! If you can afford it get a maid to do the cleaning once a week or every 2 weeks. Also, sleep with your babe a lot and bf in bed. I remember when I needed a nap, just laying down to nurse and the baby would fall asleep right with me. Ahh, bliss!

Good luck! And congrats on the new babe.

I just wanted to say that we (my husband and I) are not schedule people either. My friends all had their schedules down to the minute, and I was always struggling to do that.

Finally I realized it just wasn't my style and stopped trying. The only thing I tried to keep to a pretty consistent schedule was nap time (so no one, including me, got too grumpy).

It doesn't seem like my kids were "hurt" by my lack of scheduling skills, and in fact we're all pretty flexible (we like to do things when we feel like doing them, rather than because it's 3 o'clock).

Also, we never had an outing every day (I could never manage that). My kids love to be at home and they play with their stuff and interact with you and with each other. There's nothing wrong with staying at home, I think we think that kids can only have fun somewhere else, and that builds on itself and next thing you know they don't want to be home any more! But of course outings vs. not is a personal preference.

With the stress of having 4 young kids, you don't need to be stressing yourself out because you can't stick to a schedule.

As for time with your husband - I have never said this to my husband, but should - if he wants time with me, he needs to spend time with all of us. It's a package deal now. If you can sneak in one evening where you just sit out and look at the stars after the kids are in bed that might help. Try not to fall asleep ;>

Good luck!

I commend your enthusiasm. I'm a homeschoolin gmom of three kids under 7 so I can relate. First thing you should do every day is take care of your own needs. Everything runs more smoothly that way. I'm sure your 7 week old wants to be whereever mommy is, so attach him/her in a sling whenever you can. I'd have "away" days and "stay at home" days. You can't realistically expect to do something outside the house every day. It is exhausting. When at home plan fun projets that all the kids can enjoy with writing from the older ones. When thinking of the house chores which, let's face it, are the real reason we get so exhausted.....let some of it go. Choose the important things to do like dishes and laundry and once a day have EVERYONE help pick up the toys before bed time. I have my girls help me a lot. Kids need to know that you are their mom and not their maid. We have music/dance hour just before dinner, which helps pick up everyone's energy and gets the job done. Once a week worry about vacuuming and bigger things...get the older ones to help watch the baby. Now with a baby so young you may get hardly anything done with constant nursing/feeding/napping. That's okay too. Every day just do the best you can. If your husband wants more time with you, than he can help around the house. I always tell my husband that it's the biggest turn on for me when he does the dishes. :) Make weekly to do lists instead of daily so you see yourself finishing a project by the end of the week and it's not so daunting. Maybe clean the bathroom one day, then vacuum the next. Take it in small chunks.

I also find that if you give kids all the love and attention they need first thing in the day, they feel satisfied to play on their own later. A nice nature walk in the am is good for this. Good luck! Feel free to e-mail me off list.

Holy cow your hands are full!!!! First off, your husband needs to get off your back and leave you alone for a year or two. Secondly, you need help from a friend, your mother or a sitter occasionally so you can shower, tend to your newborn, or just stare at the wall. You're a lot tougher than I am. Kudos to you!!!!

I hope this doesn't sound rude, but maybe your husband could help you out more with the meal prep and bedtime routine. Then you wouldn't feel so overwhelmed, and you'd actually want to spend more time with him once the kids are in bed, rather than going straight to bed since you're so exhausted. You don't have to have a gourmet meal every night - you really CAN'T be supermom all the time - and bedtime routine is a really good time for dads to bond with their kids. I know you're a SAHM (I am too), but it's unrealistic to expect for you to do it all yourself, especially when you have a 7 week old baby. The baby alone is enough to throw you off your game for a good long while. I think we all get those "overwhelmed" days. Just take a deep breath and do one thing at a time.