I have tried in the past to have some structure during the day but I can never seem to fit in what I think needs to be in a schedule. Chore time, craft time, story time, play time, lunch time, quiet time, movie time, etc. I crave a home where there is structure but still time for my children to be able to play with all of their friends.
How do you do that though? What is your schedule at home like during the day with children? Do you have set quiet times, chore times, reading times, etc. Seriously, I need someone to break down for me exactly how they go through their day. I feel so crazy saying that I need this type of guidance, but nonetheless, I do. I think what convicts me the most is that my son wants to spend time with me when it's time for bed and that's only because he played ALL day with his friends and never spend any kind of quality time with the family. Bad, I know.
Am I even crazy to think that such structure is possible? I feel like my kids running in and out all day isn't doing them any good other than getting entertainment and being out of my hair {which I'm not complaining about} but for some reason I don't feel good about it at the end of the day. I need strcuture but I also have a hard time following it. Does that make any sense at all? I have to be able to look at something and say "Okay, this is what we are doing now."
I know there are momma's out there that have some sort of schedule to their day and I would love to know what you do and how you do it. Don't get me wrong, I want my children to be able to have fun with their friends but I also want to feel good at the end of the day about my job as a mother in guiding them.
Please help....I will forever be grateful!
4 comments:
I feel your pain! My kids are in and out all day also. I have set lunch and snack times. I will decide on a whim if it's movie time, reading time etc..... I look at it that they have so much structure at school I want them to have fun and play. When I sit down at the end of the day of course all the little ones decide they want to "hang out" with me... At different times during the day I will ask them if they just want to hang out with me, this helps a little. Of course when it's rainy my house is very structured with crafts etc... on a bright sunny day I have no set schedule except for snacks and lunch :) Hang in there sweetie.
Before summer came I thought I had it all planned out. Even had a calendar marked with what we were doing each day, went and bought a ton of arts and crafts supplies, etc. HOWEVER...my summer has also not turned out quite as I expected it. With softball games and practices, kids constantly in and out, my house always needing cleaned, etc. it's just pretty crazy over here...and I have SIX kids. Its hard to always have a schedule for the older five with the baby here because he's not always on a schedule himself. So you are not the only one feeling this way. I almost cried last night just from the stress of the day. I can completely understand. Just know that you are an awesome mom and really, is it going to matter when our kids are adults if they played all summer long? That's what we did. I don't think my mom ever even considered a schedule, and there were six of us growing up. We all turned out just fine. Maybe just try to set aside a certain time like two days a week for certain things and don't stress yourself out about ALWAYS needing to follow a schedule. You've got kids...and neighbors :-). But, if you DO find a solution please let me know!!! LOL
I appreciate your asking my advice via facebook. I assume that means you think I know what I'm doing and I'm flattered. I come from a different mindset I think. I'm not a schedule girl. I really like the idea of the kids entertaining themselves and being creative. I don't schedule their summers. We don't do t-ball and such. I let them play and explore. We have limited TV and game time (but they still have it daily). I'm not a fan of letting my kids go into other kids homes. I strongly believe you can never know the dangers that are there regardless of how well you know the family. My boys ride bikes out front, play in the sprinkler and we have occasional park outings. Rainy days we do school type work just to keep things fresh. Fun stuff like games and fun reading. Sunny days are spent outside with friends or just siblings. Anneliese still has nap times so that dictates what we do a bit. She sleeps from 1-3 or 4 so we're home every afternoon. Once Dad gets home we're all together inside or outside for dinner and such. We cherish him and our time with him so try to stay together when he's home. As a homeschooler the summer is our time to rest, relax, and explore. No schedules here please :)
I just reread your post and realized I didn't give you an idea of our day. The kids get up about 8ish. I go run 4 days a week and try to be home by 830 ish (Jared's home in the mean time). The kids and I mingle around getting breakfast/coffee and I shower. I turn off the TV by 10. They typically head out to ride bikes until lunch. Lunch at 1130-12. Sis lays down at 1 and the kids go back out or they read/play Wii depending heavily on the weather. 3 is snack time. They tend to play upstairs with legos after snacks cause Sis is up by then. Soon after Dad is home (6ish) and then we hang as a family. If we go anywhere it's usually in the morning hours so Anneliese isn't too tired. Grocery shopping, park, play dates and such are all early morning activities. We occasionally head to the Legends after naps just to run the brick road and walk around.
Hope that helps
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