Do you have a schedule?

[Traci Reed]

I feel like I'm spending too much time doing nothing and don't get everything I want to get done done, which includes paying enough attention to my older boys because the baby takes up all my free time...

Do you have a set schedule in your house? This is cleaning time, this is play with Josiah time, this is scrapping time...? I hate feeling like I'm neglecting the older boys, because it's so easy cuz they're so independent.

Also, what are some things you occupy your 5/6 year olds with so they're not bored all day and not constantly watching tv or playing video games?

[rach3975]

I have a loose schedule, more like a routine than a schedule.

7-8:15 Get everyone up and ready, Drive J to school
8:15-9:45 Finish getting the littler 2 and myself ready, take B to school
9:45-12 Clean the kitchen, run errands or do another chore at home, spend some time with L, and feed her lunch. (L watches a video while I do the chores, otherwise I get nothing done)
12-1:15 B's school pickup and the younger 2 nap (naps are down to 45 minutes or less these days) while I eat lunch, do some more around the house, and possibly get online or scrap for a few minutes
1:15-3 Spend a little time playing with B and L, feed them snack, let B have some computer time and L color while I deal with laundry, possibly run an errand or take the kids outside
3-3:30 J's school pickup (takes 'til 4 on the days that I have to pick B up at his afternoon school, too)
3:30 or 4-5 spend some time talking to the kids about their days, start dinner, and finish more laundry or housework. Some video time for the kids. Now that it's getting nice out, this hour is often outside time.
5-6 Busy with making and eating dinner, J's homework, etc.
6-7 Clean the kitchen from dinner, get interrupted 500 times so that it takes forever
7-? Bedtime routine (Boys are in bed by 8ish, L can be up 'til 10 if she naps too late or long)
One the kids are finally all asleep is when I scrap

I don't like it, but I found that when I went from 2 kids to 3 I stopped playing as much. Just meeting everyone's needs, helping them with all their requests, and keeping the house minimally clean takes up most of my time. Everything takes forever to do because there are so many interruptions from the kids, so the chores never seem to be done. I try to talk to them while I do other things, but it's hard to drop everything and play. Except for my oldest, I still need to take them outside rather than just sending them out, so that's another hour or so.

My 5 and 7 year olds are very into Lego Ninjago right now, so that keeps them busy and playing well together. Board games and art projects sometimes work, too. Legos would be good except that B's dexterity isn't good enough yet.

My 7 year old is pretty good at entertaining himself with Legos or going outside with a neighborhood friend. My 5 year old is terrible at entertaining himself without Leapster/computer/tv. He likes to read books and do art projects, and he'll play board games if anyone is available to play with him. Unfortunately he's not trustworthy enough to go outside without adult supervision, otherwise I'd send the 2 of them outside a lot.

Good luck!

[MissKim]

I have always been a person of routines, and as an early childhood teacher, that's the first thing I tell parents -- set a routine. You ever watch that Super Nanny show? That's the first thing she does, too... sets up a schedule. I just think they are necessary for children to feel a sense of organization and belonging, and from that can come so many other great things.

I was a working mom with all 3 of my kids, so I had a morning routine and then an evening routine. I'll be darned if I can remember what it was, though. Even now, when they're in middle and high school, we have a routine. In fact, I just asked my dh if Brady had showered (because it's way past his usual time) and he told me Brady's a junior in high school and I don't need to worry about it. Oops.

To occupy your older kids, how about a rotating schedule of toys? Legos, imaginative play toys, etc. Maybe video games on Friday?

[sprauncey1]

Originally Posted by Traci Reed

I feel like I'm spending too much time doing nothing and don't get everything I want to get done done, which includes paying enough attention to my older boys because the baby takes up all my free time...

Do you have a set schedule in your house? This is cleaning time, this is play with Josiah time, this is scrapping time...? I hate feeling like I'm neglecting the older boys, because it's so easy cuz they're so independent.

Also, what are some things you occupy your 5/6 year olds with so they're not bored all day and not constantly watching tv or playing video games?

LOL OH Traci I could have written this post. It is the hardest thing about being a SAHM is justifying how you spend your time. And you have a baby so yeah...time just flies with the little things (diaper changes, feeding, getting down to nap, etc). I don't even have that! I'll be watching this thread to see if there are any suggestions. I would love to say I have a schedule, but I'm finding that I'm not that organized, or at least not very good at altering my schedule but still keeping it when we have something else thrown inthere (doc appointment, play date, car gets hit by flying debris).

And for the 5/6 year olds...you know I hate that battle I have to fight every.single.day. Once the games get in there, it is like they forget how to play. I try to find every excuse I can to take away their gaming for a day or a week at a time. It is so much like a drug to them don't you think. I mostly try to get the boys out of the house, that way it is out of sight out of mind. And my boys do love to play with the Legos, so I'll tell them to go do that or I'll throw them away/give them away. So I hear ya! Maybe you could make Friday evenings big boy nights with you and have a babysitter/friend/hubby take care of the wee one for you that night right there. That way they get the quality, focus time from you during this time so much of your time/focus is on the baby (because it HAS to be just like when they were babies).

[newfiemountiewife]

We have a schedule, I don't have it written down or anything, and on skating days it varies, but we have always stuck to that.

They have set bedtimes, meal times, snack times, bath times. They are in school all day til 3.

My kids are even older than yours, they really don't want anything to do with me most of the time. This morning, I went in to play with Rae, she was looking for a princess dress to dress up in, and after I got her dress on she said "ok, you can go back out now" LOLOL. Apparently I can't even do dress up right LOL.

[Kara]

I don't like it, but I found that when I went from 2 kids to 3 I stopped playing as much. Just meeting everyone's needs, helping them with all their requests, and keeping the house minimally clean takes up most of my time.

True dat.

Three is HARD. My youngest is 19 months and she still takes the majority of my time and energy. I feel like my 4 yo is the one getting the short end of the stick because he is so independent and easygoing. My 6 yo is in afternoon K, but when he's home, he's fairly high maintenance - needs to talk constantly, always wants to be with someone.

My biggest thing is that I'm an introvert, and I crave time alone. So often during nap time, I find myself zoning out on the computer, really doing nothing, flipping between FB, SSD, email and a couple of other sites but not really accomplishing anything. So I've downloaded Chrome Nanny for my browser, to limit the amount of time I spend on certain sites each day. Helps me to be more productive and spend some quality time with my 4 yo while my daughter is napping.

[SweetMelissa]

I have a "loose schedule". I don't have a set time for when I do things (like 10am I do dishes). But when Lilly takes her morning nap (usually between 9/9:30 I put in at least one load of wash and get it dryed & folded & put away. While its washing I try to straighten up/clean up kitchen (usually putting dishes into dishwasher & wiping down table). Once thats done I get online for a few or play with the kids until Lilly wakes up.

When Lilly goes for her second nap (usually any time around noon) I clean up the lunch stuff, I might do another load of wash, clean up the bathrooms, I have the kids straighten up the living room, twice a week I go in their rooms and straighten up their bedrooms, we may walk to the play ground depending on what day it is (if Dh can stay in house with Lilly) or we go to the pool. Now Lilly usually sleeps for up to 2 hours for her second nap. So I usually get a good hour with my toddlers.

Then while all three kids are up I may straighten up the other bathroom while Dh plays with them all, DH may take the toddlders outside to play & I get some alone time wtih Lilly.

Lilly goes to bed at 6:30pm every night. So at 6 I feed her her last bottle & she gets a jar of solid food (some nights a bath) and then into bed. Then every other night I bathe one of the toddlers unless they got really messy that day. So one night I take Rachel & bathe her and then I'll take her room, get her dressed, snuggle, read a book and put her to bed (Dh will put our son to bed this night & do the same with him). Then if its Troy's night I give him a bath and put him to bed and Dh will put Rachel to bed.

Our kids go to sleep between 7 and 7:15. So after they are in bed I straighten up, finish up anything I didn't get done in the day. I sit down to scrapbook or read a book, ect.

[hollyxann]

My schedule revolves around Kennedy's schedule. Her eating scedule is pretty consistent give or take an hour so whenever she's not eating is when I try to get things done.

[kim21673]

We used to have a schedule...until Derek came along. He will be 6 months old on the 8th and is a VERY needy baby. He constantly needs interaction from ME only....his naps consist of 20 minute catnaps three times a day...if I am lucky. My house has gone from neat and tidy to a disaster, war zone. I get NOTHING done anymore. My 3.5 and 4.5 year old want Mommy time too and it is sooo rough. I feel like all I do is hold a baby all day. Forget about scrapping. I had to drop my CTs....am down to two now and miss scrapping soooo much. I used to get A LOT done but I struggle even getting my portfolio done these days. I am exhausted by the time we put the two older boys to bed and my head just isn't there to scrap....

So...I have no words of wisdom for you! I am hoping things will get easier for me once Derek starts crawling around and can sit up better (he is almost there!!!)

I look forward to reading advice from others!!!

[Traci Reed]

Thanks for the advice ladies!

[nun69]

we have been on a schedule for 20 years the Navy kinda does that to you! But since I retired, I get the 2 little kids dressed for daycare @ 0600 and then Matt takes then and Sam to school. Then I get Ben up at 0745, he eats breakfast and then goes to school. Ben gets home around 330 and he does his homework and then he is allowed to go play. Then we do dinner around 530-6 and anytime after that is kinda free time for all the kids....they get baths around 8-830 and everybody is in bed by 9 {except for the 18 y/o}! Now when I am home with all of them this summer, we'll see how it goes lol

[rach3975]

Originally Posted by kim21673

I am exhausted by the time we put the two older boys to bed and my head just isn't there to scrap....

So...I have no words of wisdom for you! I am hoping things will get easier for me once Derek starts crawling around and can sit up better (he is almost there!!!)

I look forward to reading advice from others!!!

Hang in there, Kim! I had that with my 2nd child. For 6 months after he was born I hardly scrapped, and then for another 6 months I scrapped but without much mojo. It finally got better, though. I was expecting it again with my 3rd, but she got over her hours a day of crying and needing me much sooner. Even with her, it still took a while to adjust. I think it was at about 6-8 months old that I finally started to feel like I could handle everything again. I hope it happens soon for you! (Though to be honest, she's 2 now and I still don't get anywhere near as much done as I did with 2 kids. More people needing my attention and help, but still the same me to go around. But the really hard part of transitioning to 3 kids ended at that 6-8 month mark.)

[kim21673]

Originally Posted by rach3975

Hang in there, Kim! I had that with my 2nd child. For 6 months after he was born I hardly scrapped, and then for another 6 months I scrapped but without much mojo. It finally got better, though. I was expecting it again with my 3rd, but she got over her hours a day of crying and needing me much sooner. Even with her, it still took a while to adjust. I think it was at about 6-8 months old that I finally started to feel like I could handle everything again. I hope it happens soon for you! (Though to be honest, she's 2 now and I still don't get anywhere near as much done as I did with 2 kids. More people needing my attention and help, but still the same me to go around. But the really hard part of transitioning to 3 kids ended at that 6-8 month mark.)

Thanks!! This has definitely been a challenge for me! I never thought in a million years having the 4th would be sooooo hard!