Daily or Weekly Schedules

Hi Dee,
I'm a SAHM of two, and a very relaxed one in terms of schedules. I realize some people feel better having one. However, your girls don't know any better until we teach them :)
Having said that, I've been homeschooling my girls and wanted to respond to you in relation to the "learning time and activities". These happen throughout the day at our home. Every moment is a teaching moment if we look for it or if it finds us. When they are curious about something, go with long answers instead of the short ones. Relating everything around us to the concepts that they are supposed to learn (like, here is a top, we put it on the pot. The top is round like a circle, it is hard like a rock and it makes lots of noise...something of the like :P)
With colors, shapes and numbers... we have them all around us. Use your environment and everytime you have their undivided attention (yes, those few seconds count!) use them! :)
ok, that's my two cents. oh! by the way, my older one now is 5.5 and we actually began "school time" this year. for this I'm sticking to the morning "class" just because she is also playing along and loving it... but she's already five... at 35 months I wouldn't stick to a "learning time" :)

ok, good luck! and feel free to keep asking!

M.

After having 4 children i have come to realize that you cannot have a planned schedule. I have goals that i would like to achieve but i do not get down on myself if i cannot accomplish them. I think it is easier to go with the flow...but i do realize that many people prefer to stick to a schedule. I am sorry that i do not have better advice...i think you need to read your children and get a feel for what they can handle...best wishes!

I felt the same way with my older daughter. By the time I was ready to go it was lunch time and I had to stop everything to make lunch. After we ate she wanted a nap and I did too. When she woke up it was time to make dinner and the awful realisation we did nothing that day hit me.

My best advice is plan ahead. Not like the night before, but when you are grocery shopping. Buy snacks that require little to no preparation. I like to give my girls fruit (lemon juice on apples helps them not go brown), popcorn, graham crackers, pretzels, goldfish... I am not a fan of juice boxes, but they are a nice treat. Also have some popcicles for late afternoon snack outside. Same goes for lunches. Keep them as simple as possible. I usually make sandwiches, quesadillas (great for making ahead), chicken salad for crackers, and noodles. To go with lunch I give them cheese, apples, pretzels, sometimes chips...have a small selection available. On occasion they will eat granola bars, but seem to get burnt out on them quickly.

Do not worry about getting outside first thing in the morning. I do not get my girls dressed until I have had my coffee and checked email. This only takes 20-30 mins and they play nicely during. Once outside we have balls, chalk for the driveway, trikes, and inflatable pool for summer. They are allowed to bring most of their toys out and we love having picnics in our own yard. I also let them help me water our flowers. It takes longer, but keeps them busy. If lunch is simple, I will bring them in and make it quickly. I do like having leftovers at lunch or making it ahead because it does give us more flexibility.

Here is my schedule: Breakfast must be before 10am, snacks before 11.30 if wanted, lunch is between 12 and 1.30, naps between 1-3, pm snacks are between 3-4, dinner preparation starts between 4-5, dinner no later than 7, bath time 8-8.30 with bedtime immediately after. I follow this schedule very loosely. I usually clean if the girls want to play indoors, but mostly when they nap. I also cut any veg for dinner when they nap.

There is so much more, but I have written a lot already. Feel free to message me if you have any questions or want any other hints. I really feel for you because I too was lost in my schedule a few years ago. Hope all of this helps.