So I have been home for 5 months now and I have been slowly but surely working on some things in our home to make everything run better. Some days I feel like I'll be happy if I get things to just run at all! One thing that I have realized is a need, a must with children is routine. I knew this with Brooke but it was somehow (even though I had more to do) easier to keep a routine when working. The day was more scheduled when we HAD to wake at a certain time, had to be somewhere. But when you stay home it is very easy for routine to be the first thing to go.
Since I had Lucas, I found myself when I was busy with Lucas (feeding, changing, bathing, etc) saying to Brooke "just go play" or "go find something to do -you have so many toys". This was hard for her and the whining would begin. I know from school and teaching that yes, you can have 'free time' but if you want it to work you have to teach the kids how to actually do 'free time'. She sometimes just does not know what to do with herself. (Meanwhile in my head I'm thinking give me 10 minutes free time...and boy what I can do!)
I also was finding mysself so frazzled in the morning. I would think "how could this be" I stayed up all night settling the house, I know what they are wearing...WHY is it taking me so long to get everyone ready? I was just talking to a friend on the phone when she was saying the same thing. She just had a baby and was asking me WHY it took her two hours to get out of the house for the baby's dr. appnt. It happens.
Well having a routine and perfecting that routine and being organized with that routine can make for a happy unfrazzled mom and happy, calm kids. I am STILL working on pefecting and making my routine more smoothe but have still seen the positives just from the little changes I've made. I should probably note that
'"perfecting" anything with a newborn and 2 year old is most likely unachievable but heck we all have to have a goal now dont we?
8 comments:
I would love to hear your tips on what is working for your routine!!! Especially tips for the newborns.... :)
Its true, though. During the week when I have to go to work, I have my routine down exactly. I take a bus that comes every 20 minutes, so literally being late by one minute can throw off my whole morning. I am out the door by 8:00 a.m. (not 8:01 or 8:02) every day.
Now, how do you do that with a baby? :)
Not that I'm planning on taking a bus with the baby....... I just mean, how do you keep a routine with a little pooper/eater/fusser/thrower-upper in your hands?
Well, I'm the Daddy and I get completely flustered when it comes to getting the kids out the door and into the car by myself, unless of course, my dear wife has everything ready for me.
Case in Point - last Saturday Annette was running a 5K and left before us. Uh - oh!!!!!
And, of course, we wanted to get there to support Mommy. SO - it was my job to get the kids dressed, bags packed, bottles poured, extra blankets, double stroller, camera, etc., etc. etc.
and be there in time to see Mommy take off. WELL - I ran as fast as I could around the house gathering everything together, getting the kids in the car......Off we go.....
We get to the race and Mommy very nicely asks, "Scott - where are the kids jackets???" LOL.....
Marie- I definitely have some tips that either I'll post on here or I will send to you.
Scott- hysterical. Might I just add that the step you might have forgotten is to have all bags prepped the night before. Prepped bags makes for a nice kid/car outing with jackets and all!
ANOTHER 5K??? Annette, you are turning into a regular Road-Runner!!
This sucks for me, bc of course I'm thinking, "If Annette can do it, so can I!" But then again... this is your SECOND child, so I guess I have a while before I have to re-create your record. Plus, don't I get a handicap for being older? ;)
Scott, you are too funny!!! I can just picture you running around crazy with the kids! Having seen what it takes to get them both dressed and changed lately, I can TOTALLY understand...
Marie- Hyesterical you are with your handicap !yes you can wait till your second to try real hard right after your baby OR you can learn from my wait- till- 8 -months- to- get- off- the- couch -to-get-rid-of this-flab-mistake and hit the road with the baby as soon as you can lol. You are keeping active during the pregnancy which is half the battle. Plus i always thought a little bit of height helps you gals out...
I too think a routine is easier to stick to when you're working... maybe that's b.c someone else is handling alot of it during the day.... Anyway I think you're doing a great job finding your groove.
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