My youngest just started all-day Kindergarten. I'm starting to get into a "routine" but I'm wondering, what do all you other SAHMs (or dads) do when the kids are gone all day at school? What kinds of activities are you involved in? Did you go to work part- or full-time? Do you volunteer? Clean the house? Work out? Housework? I do some of all the above, but sometimes it is just so quiet around here!!
Clean, ALL day, and get food prepared. It's a full-time job.
Laundry, dishes, etc. But I still have a baby at home and only 1 in full-day, (other 2 are half-day). I also workout 3 times a week and use the childcare at the gym.
Wait, we're supposed to DO something?!
Well then, I guess THIS is what I'm doing then!
:)
The house is completely empty by 8 a.m. Since I am a creature of habit, I sit on the couch and drink 2 cups of coffee, with the Today show on, browsing the internet. My cue to get up is when Kathie Lee and Hoda come on, not a fan. But I leave the t.v on so I can hear when the local news comes on at 11 a.m. During that time.. laundry, putting stuff up from the kids/wife. They tend to be 'forgetful' when it comes to putting things back when their done. Always something to clean, a bill to pay, a dish to wash, drop something at Goodwill. I don't work so if I want a fun day.... I go enjoy man stuff, looking at cars, rv's, motorcycles, electronics... all that fun stuff the wife wouldn't enjoy ;)
Work! :p
When I was a stay at home I got the kids to school, worked out for three hours, went to lunch with my friends eating more calories than I burned, came home, picked up the house, started dinner and picked the kids up from school.
I work three mornings a week in the childcare at the YMCA. I work three days a week as lunch supervisor at the school. I try to do 1/2 hour a day at the gym. I babysit some younger kids on a casual basis. I try to do all the housework while the kids are at school, so I have time to spend with them when they are home. I like to get all the shopping done. My husband and I try to go out to lunch together once a month. I look at facebook and mamapedia. There just doesn't seem to be enough time to do it all.
Work part time, work out at the Y, walk the dog, laundry, some cleaning (not enough!), volunteer at school and church, have lunch with friends, run errands, visit my disabled mom and elderly grandmother, appointments, take classes.........the days go too quickly!
I work full-time and am often at work before any of my kids are up (minus my 9 year old who likes to be showered and dressed before I leave at 615, when she doesn't have to leave for 2 more hours!!).
When I did take a week off because my daycare closed, I was SO busy! The cars needed oil changes, the house needed cleaned, my 3 year old got a lot of my attention, I went to the kids school to have lunch with them, etc. I just found myself being so busy it was insane.
You have to find what works for you. Mix in some adult time, go to the gym, get your nails done, go for a walk, make amazing dinners, whatever makes you (and your family) happy.
I work Monday-Thursday but have every Friday off. My daughter is in first grade now but when she was in Kindergarten I would volunteer for a couple of hours.
So far this year I've been:
taking advantage of the greenbelt by our home; I'm currently walking about one mile, I plan to start jogging, and then maybe start running. I would like to sign up for one of those charity walk/runs as well. I've been noticing a lot of the moms wearing their workout clothes to drop the kids off and then they go do their workouts right away. I need to start doing that as well.
picking one area of the house at a time to declutter, reorganize, etc. Right now I'm working on going through the kitchen cabinets.
soon I hope to make plans to meet up with various friends that I never get to see, maybe meet for coffee or something.
I would like to find a hobby - I'm thinking about signing up for sewing classes.
Once the rain hits I plan to work on my photo albums.
I also try and sneak in a errand or two & load of a laundry or two so that I feel productive. I will also clean a room or two of the home, if needed.
I also like to have something going in the crockpot so that dinner is out of the way.
I'm a SAHM without a vehicle and honestly nowhere to go so here's what I do:
clean
cook
work out
do free coursework - currently I'm focusing on math starting at the very beginning.
research health topics for myself
mess around on the internet
Sorry, I don't have that luxury. I'm at work earning a wonderful paycheck.
No stab intended to those who do not work putside the home.
Although, I too am interested to know what SAHMs do all day long when the kids are at school? It would drive me insane. While I could do it if I had to, I have never wanted to.
I WAH so that's part of what I do - work. I also make some calls, pay some bills, and do a few chores. Then it's time to pick DD up from her 1/2 day preschool. Oh, and I might have a tv show on in the background that I can't watch with DD around. :)
I clean and volunteer at my kid's schools. Any appointments for myself or the dog get done during school hours. Run errands and plan for the next day. On Wednesdays, I meet a close friend for brunch in the morning for some girl time. Make sure you do something that you enjoy or the routine can get old really fast.
Have fun!
