I am militant about my schedule. Well, more about the kids' schedule. I have made great peace with this and am primarily unapologetic. My kids get up between 6:00 - 7:00. Jack naps from 1:00 - 3:00. They both go to bed at 7:00. I don't go anywhere with my kids if we can't be home for them to get to bed by 7. I almost never deter from this schedule. I leave my mom's by 6:00 if we're at her house, my mother-in-law plans dinner for earlier than they normally eat if we're eating with them (we have dinner around 5:30 most nights). If Cory's not here, it's literally this structured:
5:00...dinner
5:50...baths
6:15...playtime/books
6:30...Caillou
7:00...bed
I know this schedule works really well for my kids. It also works remarkably well for me. Especially during the busy real estate season. I get SO MUCH work done between 7:00 - 10:00 at night! It's my time and it keeps me sane.
Which parent are you? Do you keep a schedule (Penney) or not so much (Penny)?
*I'm also a militant PLANNER. Another entry for another day.*
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12 comments:
I am so scheduled. Completely. For my short term. We have a schedule, also. It's refreshing to hear that. But you know what? I feel like my kids thrive on a schedule. I noticed a big difference when I implemented it.
Especially at bed time. I actually have gotten criticism for it, but it works for us. Remarkably well, so that's all that matters.
Mindi- why would someone criticize a bedtime? Weird.
Leanne's schedule makes babysitting the boys extremely easy- except when they are up and at 'em at 6 a.m. Not cool. Good thing they are so darned cute!
Hey now, what makes you think I don't keep a schedule?! I'm definitely not structured like you are my friend, but My school kids go to bed at 9, get up at 7:00 and are gone until 3:30. My other babies however, just go to bed when I do. Mind you, I don't love this, but then I get up at 7:30 with the school kids, and those other ones sleep until 9:30 or 10. So I get quiet time then. Every mom needs quiet time FOR SURE!
BTW, what is Caillou? Should I know?
You so are a planner too. The job lists when we lived together, the calender of meal plans, who makes what when, even down to who takes showers when. It worked though.
Peg - so you schedule! It's just different than mine. I know it works for you, being the night owl that you are!
I NEVER scheduled showers, but I remember the job lists. Remember in AZ...each person had one week where they had to clean the bathroom and keep the dishwasher unloaded and the garbage empty. They probably had to vacuum too. Not sure if that was my brainchild, but wouldn't be suprised if it did.
Wonder why I can't get all my own chores done, then, and why I feel so disorganized in my own home. Is that because I have such a ridiculous amount of work to do? Or do I spend too much time online? Hard to tell.
Caillou is a PBS kids show, so no, you shouldn't know what it is. He is the single most annoying character in the world, but the kids love him.
I too love a schedule, but I am NOT as organized as you are! :) My kids are way better with a schedule, like this week has been so crazy with the schedule completely off and they clearly were so exhausted and out of sorts(as you heard Grace when we were talking on the phone, having a major meltdown about markers :)). I love how organized you are!
Did I ever do my job in AZ? I do remember a job list, but I was the one people probably got mad at for skipping it. Sigh....
Plus, another change...Not a night owl no more. We go to bed at about 9:30-10:00 here. I really get like 9 hours of sleep every single night.
You have reason to not get your work done at home, you have another job too,seeing as you are a real estate mogul. Mogul is a funny word. Reminds me of Mowgli. Was that his name? Jungle Book. You will know it is time to turn the page when you hear this: BBBrrrrr...ooh, ooh, ooh. I still like to say that for fun.
Wow, you had no idea this post would be about Mowgli and the Jungle Book, did you?
I somewhat schedule my day. I allow about an hour variance though and it works good for us. Like, bedtime is between 7 and 8. 7:00 if I've had it and closer to 8 if I'm still hanging in there (with Andrew working evenings, too). If we're out with the boys though and having a fun time, we don't rush home in order to get them in bed at a certain time.
We have a routine for most days- which to me is a little different than a schedule since it's just the order in which we do things.
And unwritten rules, like, we do not watch any television of sorts between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm. If Andrew is home and neglects to follow that rule, I pace the house and finally have to ask him to shut it off. I can't stand it!
Leanne, I bet you have some interesting times with the firefighter schedule. Or is it not an issue? I remember Melanie saying that although she LOVES to have Sean home every other day, she feels like some days can be a little bit of an adjustment for everyone-- maybe because of those "unwritten rules"!
Laura,
Actually I get criticism for my schedule, in general. Wierd, I know. But those same people many times wonder why I am not completely frazzled and extremely busy with four kids. So go figure. Maybe if they had a schedule, they would understand.
Leanne,
I have to admit: I am not as adamant about it on the weekends. But I should be. Because that is when I feel like my husband and I can relax and enjoy each other's company the most.
Actually my schedule never varies whether Cory's home or not. I got very lucky because he abides by it as well as I do. I think because of our non-traditional lifestyle (no semblance of weekends, Cory's home 2/3 of our nights, etc.), it's important to keep the KIDS' schedule the same...that way they're not really affected if Poppa's home, etc. Except some mornings he gets home as they're waking up. Those mornings Momma goes back to bed. :)
Peg - you were exempt from the bathroom rule seeing how you and Sara had your own ladies room. So I don't know if you ever cleaned it.
I am quite suprised that you are so scheduled. Seems like that would have been hard for you. Except becoming a mother makes us do all kinds of unexpected things, huh?
I am not a mogul...yet.
Julie - that's a good TV rule. My kids don't really watch TV (they're way too busy) so I haven't had to impose any such rule at my house.
Also, Cory's not home every other day. He works three jobs, so even on his days "off" he's frequently not here. God bless him for his sacrifice!
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