Setting a Daily Schedule

Oh the importance of setting a daily schedule!

If only I would have done this sooner? But no, I thought that my kids would not take to it very well, and to imagine the time it would take to get it all together, I just didn't have the time. Right? Trust me on this one! The only way to keep your sanity and ease the day to day stress that is associated with raising your children all by yourself, then you definately want to sit down and create a schedule right now!

It doesn't have to be "concrete" right now. Just start with an outline. You will need to make adjustments as you go, and as you are working your schedule into your everyday life. When you finally have it pretty much set to a routine that is easy for everyone to do without putting pressure on anyone, then that's your schedule I would stick with.

Here is what our schedule looks like...

• 6:30am-Wake up! and get ready for school.
• 7:30am-Off to school.
• 8-10am-OPEN (Feed Alyssa, play, baths, minor cleaning, etc.)
• 10-12am-WORK (only calls, no email, no internet, only dialing!)
• Noon-2:30pm-Lunch & Open (Grocery shopping, errands, household, etc.)
• 3pm-Kids from school.
• 3-4pm-Snack & homework or reading
• 4-5pm-Kids free time (Most often, PBS kids on tv)
• 5-7pm-I start supper, we pick up the house, eat, then it's time to play a game or any family activity together.
• 7pm-Showers & Brush teeth (Get ready for bed)
• 7:30pm-Bed Time
• 8:00pm- MOMMY TIME!

Before I finally decided to sit down and set up a schedule, it would seem like the day would never end, and when it did I felt as though I got nothing accomplished. Being a work at home mom made it even more difficult. There was constant guilt, when I was working I felt I should be with the kids, and when I was with the kids, I should have been working. I know that between 10-12 everyday that I will do nothing but work. I am able to focus more and that in itself is huge. I also have the evening to work as the kids are in bed early enough to get some calls in as well.

I no longer have to fight the kids to get them to bathe or brush their teeth. They are the ones that watch the clock and let me know when it is getting close to bedtime. As well as what comes next throughout the day. Another good idea is to have a rewards chart for them to "mark" their daily tasks. For example, Brush teeth (morn & night) Shower, Get dressed alone, Pick up, Homework, and I let them pick something they would like to work on as well, such as being patient. Then have some sort of reward each week for a job well done. You will find that your kids will work extra hard to complete their tasks in order to fill it up and reap the reward.

So right now, get out a paper and pen and start your daily schedule. You will be so glad that you did.