What's your daily schedule like at home?

[DonaldDuckFan]

I have two boys a 5 year old who is in pre-k and will be starting kindergarten in the Fall and a 2 1/2 year old who is home with me all day. We really don't have a set schedule for the day aside from the days DS5 goes to school, we just kind of get up and search for stuff to do... I'm thinking that a schedule would be a MUCH better way to go. So what does your daily schedule look like?

And for Work at home moms or homeschoolers or anyone else - Do you have a busy box for your kids? I often do workbooks with DS5 (he LOVES them) and I find myself trying to come up with things for my younger one to do instead of just putting in a DVD for him.

Anyone have any cool craft projects their kids love?

Please help this clueless mom!!!

Amy

 

[alloyd1170]

I have a 5 yr old son who is in preschool from 845-1145 (he too will start K in Aug) and an almost 2 yr old daughter (who is ready for preschool in Aug-only 2 days though).

Our day looks like this-we leave the house at 830 to take my son to preschool. DD and I come home to eat breakfast and get showered. I then either play with her, or run errands (the kind my son really dislikes doing) until 1130. Then its back to school to get DS. After that, we usually run errands, meet a friend for lunch somewhere that has a playground, head to the playground, zoo, kids museum (which we have memberships for), or the YMCA for swimming. I try to get home around 2 so DD can squeeze a nap in though shes fighting me on that one. If we are with a friend, then we let the kids go until 3 or 4 to wear them out. While DD naps, I play with DS (video games, workbook activities, hunt for bugs outside (his latest thing). It is also my down time so I get on the computer, clean up, do laundry, etc. DS watches a few of his favorite shows on tv for some down time. Then I make dinner, DH comes home and the kids attack him. Now that its wamrer and lighter at night, DS and DH do things outside (play, yardwork, etc). Then its off to bed for them around 830 so the big people can really relax!

By the way, I love Bucks Co.! So pretty.....My dad grew up in Trenton, mom in Bethlehem, and we visited my grandparents in Yardley and Langhorne often. We will be heading up there in July to visit the few remaining relatives we have and I cant wait!

alison

 

[islandmum]

my boys are 4 and 2 and both go to kindy from 9 - 12. They've been up since 6am with dh, he leaves at 8 and kicks me out of bed, I get them dressed and pack their bags with snacks and juice.

Off to school at 8.45, pick up at 12, straight to the beach until 4 - they swim like fish, roll in the sand and climb the coconut trees with their mates for 4 hours, do about 30 - 45 minutes of painting, drawing or workbooks until 4.45, bathtime, play or TV until 6pm, supper at 6, bed at 7.

and it starts all over again!!

 

[Jill72]

By the fact that you asked this question - I'm guessing that not having a routine is not working for you....however, there really is no "right" answer that works for everyone. I have a DD5 who does 1/2 day afternoon kindergarten and fraternal 1 y/o twins. I used to be a working parent, but have been a SAHM for the last 6 months. It was really hard adjusting to being at home all the time. We are a very adaptable family and so in the beginning, we just did everything "on demand"...meals, naps, play, etc. However, I found that for my own sanity, I needed somewhat of a routine with meals and naps so that I could at least get in a daily shower, ha! So here's my routine: wake up whenever the twins wake - usually around 8:30am; breakfast together and then play time until 11:45am. 11:45am DD5 gets ready for school and then all kids eat lunch between 12 and 12:30pm. 12:30pm twins go down for naps and DD5 goes to the bus stop for school. The twins usually nap until 2:30 or so and I can enjoy a nice lunch and shower and usually a couple chores before they wake. Then it's play time outside/inside until DD5 gets homes around 4:15pm. Snacks for all and more play/homework...dinner at 6pm. More play time/ TV time until bedtime at 8:30pm (for the girls, DS1 still has not learned to go to sleep before 10pm ).....anyway, you get the point. Obviously some days we go out while DD5 is in school and thus I have to get up early for a shower before the twins get up.

Good luck with getting a routine for your family. Follow your kids' cues - that's how I figured mine out - I really paid attention to when they were cranky, hungry, tired, etc and worked around that. Once we got the pattern going - everyone was much happier.

Oh and I'm sure your youngest child would love a special activity that's only for them while your eldest does their workbooks. An activity box would be great. Just setting aside some toys or craft projects that they can only use during that time would prob make them happy.