Deep In Diapers
Tag

Schedule

Browsing
In Parenting

Why Scheduling Your Day Is Easier Than You Think

No Comments

The idea of a putting your kids on a schedule can seem a bit intimidating and you might wonder where to begin. Getting your kids on a schedule isn’t that hard. It just takes a little thinking ahead. In fact, your kids may already be on a schedule and you just haven’t noticed it.

I think the easiest way to start a schedule is to think about what time you want your child to wake up in the morning. Then back that time up by 10-12 hours depending on how much sleep your child seems to need. With those two times, you’ve got a wake-up time and a bedtime. Those are the two bookends to your schedule.

Next, take a look at things you need to do throughout your day. Stuff like eating, reading books or naps if your kids still take them.

Once you fill those items in, just add a block of time for errands or chores and then a few blocks of time for your kids to play. Before you realize it, you’ve got most of your day mapped out. Scheduling doesn’t have to be scary or intimidating. It’s simply setting aside a few blocks of time for naps, play, and chores.

Why I Love Schedules

I’m a very organized person, though if you’d look at my house right now, you wouldn’t know it. Before kids, I’d organize my DVDs and books alphabetically (NERD ALERT). So maybe some of it’s my personality, but I do feel scheduling is important for kids.

I like a schedule because it sets a time in your day for priorities. Maybe you want to prep your child for preschool and teach him his colors. To make sure this happens, schedule ten minutes a day at a certain time and use it to teach skills. Then have an activity for your other kids like letting them read books or playing with a toy they haven’t seen in a while.

Perhaps Bible reading is a priority to you. Then set aside a block of time for that each day. A schedule ensures you get your priorities done and helps you get to the end of your day where you feel that you’ve accomplished something and made some time for each of your children.

Scheduled days work well for my kids. They always want to know what we’re going to do next or when we will eat. Since they don’t tell time yet, telling them to play first, then eat makes sense to them.

For our family, a flexible schedule has worked well. I wouldn’t be able to work from home without it. Here’s what my day usually looks like.

Here’s our Daily Schedule

  • 5 AM – I get up and work
  • 7 AM – Kids get up and play in their rooms
  • 7:30 ish – Eat Breakfast
  • 8:15-8:30 – Get dressed, Brush Teeth
  • 9 AM – Independent Play in Rooms (I work while kids play)
  • 10 AM – Pick up rooms
  • 10:15 AM – Worship Jesus, Bible Verse, Letter of the Day, and Fun Activity Together
  • 11 AM – Lunch
  • 11:30-11:45 – Play Time
  • 12:30 PM – 1-Year-Old Naps
  • 12:30-1PM – Mom and 3 Year Old One on One Time
  • 1 PM – 3-Year-Old Naps or Reads Books Quietly in Room if not Tired (I work here)
  • 2-3PM – 1 Year Old Wakes Up and Reads Books With Mom
  • 3 PM – 3 Year Old Wakes Up
  • 3-7 PM Free Time to run errands, go to the library, whatever we want to do that day
  • 7:20 PM-ish – 1 Year Old Sleeps
  • 7:30-8 PM – 3 Year Old Goes to Bed & I work if needed or do housework or laundry.

This schedule has allowed me to continue working while staying at home with two kids. I know there’s no way that I’d be able to work from home without a schedule.

The great thing about a schedule is that it doesn’t have to be rigid. I don’t always follow the clock to the minute and I don’t sacrifice doing fun stuff when it pops up. However, I’ve noticed my children’s behavior is a lot better if we follow this schedule 4-5 days a week.

What works well for your family? Do you follow a schedule, or prefer to just take things as they come?

Keep Reading
By
In Parenting

Why I Fight For My Children’s Sleep

No Comments
Getting a baby to sleep through the night seems to be a challenge most mothers face. We want our kids to sleep well so that we can get some much-needed rest. However, that sleep doesn’t happen naturally in most cases. A child or baby that sleeps well takes some work.
I worked hard to get my kids to be good sleepers. My kids have naps as often as possible and my kids sleep in their own beds. I fought for them to get to bed at good times. Here are a few of the reasons why I’ve fought so hard for my kid’s sleep.

Sleep helps my kids to be happier.

We all are nicer and happier when we’re well rested. A few weeks ago, I had several nights in a row where my husband was snoring really loud. It kept me from sleeping well. After several nights of being woken up multiple times, I was a mess. I was angry at my family and grumpy almost all of the time. My lack of sleep affected my happiness.

I think the same thing is true for our kids. If our kids are lacking sleep, they’re not going to be as happy. They’re going to be grumpy and hard to deal with. I want my kids to be happier, so I fight for their sleep.

Sleep helps them to be focused

When we get enough sleep, we’re better able to focus. If I’m really tired, I can’t remember or learn things. I’m just fighting with all my might to stay awake. I think kids are the same way. If they’re tired and not getting lots of sleep at night, they’re going to have a hard time focusing and learning new skills. When kids are young, they’re growing and learning at the most rapid pace of their lives. Sleep helps them be focused so they can learn new skills better.

Sleep helps me as mom to be happier

When my kids are happy and well rested it makes my job easier. My kids are much more willing to obey and be kind when they’re not exhausted. Also, their early bedtimes and great night sleep helps me get tasks around the house done. I’m a lot happier when my kids are well rested.

Sleep is important for babies and kids. However, as parents, we often don’t want to make the sacrifices to make it happen. We don’t want to go home from a fun gathering early so our kids can get in bed. We don’t want to stop running errands so that our kids can get naps at home. It takes work and sacrifice to have kids that sleep well. In my opinion, that sacrifice is worth it. I love having kids who have are easy to deal with and who can focus and learn well. These things help me as a mom be happier and less stressed.

Here are a few of the products I loved using to get my kids to sleep well when they were babies.

**This post contains affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link.

 

Keep Reading
By
In Parenting

4 Reasons A Flexible Schedule for Toddlers Works For Me

No Comments
I love watching my kids discover new things. I love the unexpected hugs, the sticky hands touching my arm while reading a book or the smiles and giggles we share. Being a parent has changed my life for the better. I believe part of why I love being with my kids so much is due to the schedule they’re on. For me, a schedule has helped me work from home while raising two kids.

Here are four ways that scheduling my kid’s day has helped me.

Reason One – A Schedule Makes Sure I Get A Break

As much as I love being a mom, I need some alone time. The reason I love our flexible schedule is that it provides me with some much needed “me time”. I have several times during the day when I can take a break from being mom. That is a relief. I know my kids are napping or playing in their rooms and are safe. This allows me to relax for a minute and to help me be a better mom.
When my kids are around, I’m never relaxed. I’m always trying to keep them from hurting themselves and keep them having fun. The reason a schedule is so great is that it allows me to take some breaks from being a mom.

Reason Two – A Schedule Helps My Kids Get Along Better

I think a flexible schedule helps my kids get along better. My kids have their moments when they fight, they’re human. However, I believe that scheduling some time apart everyday has helped my kids get along better. They’re usually very excited to see each other and give each other an abundance of hugs and kisses. I believe this is due to the fact that they both have some time scheduled away from each other during the day.

Reason Three – With A Schedule I Can Work From Home

My flexible schedule allows me to work from home. As much as I had wanted to be a stay at home mom, my husband and I weren’t able to make that work, financially. However, by scheduling my kid’s day I’ve been able to both stay at home with the kids and work at home. I’m able to set aside time each day to get my work done and I know the kids are busy doing activities that I’ve planned out for them.

Reason Four – A Schedule Ensures I Get Time With My Husband

Our schedule allows me some alone time with my husband. My kids have set bedtimes that are early enough to allow my husband and I to have a little time together at night. I need the time to be able to talk to him while being focused and uninterrupted. Our flexible schedule provides this for us.

My kids are on a schedule and it’s worked great for us. They seem to like knowing what’s coming next in their day and what to expect. Our schedule is very flexible, so if a fun opportunity presents itself, we’re sure to stop what we’re doing and go have fun.
Four Reasons A Flexible Schedule for Toddlers Works For Me
Keep Reading
By