I recently switched to very part-time employment so I could spend more time at home with my kids. I know we'll need time to figure out our routines, but how can I make this go smoother? Today, for example, there's a blizzard and we can't go outside or drive. How do I balance having some fun quality time with them and getting something done around here?? Every day I stay home with them, I feel like the house gets trashed OR I clean and we get no time together (defeating the purpose). Anyone have some practical tips for making this go a little more smoothly....thanks!
2007-03-02 07:28:04 · 18 answers · asked by java girl 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
Just to let you know where I am coming from... I am a stay home mom of four... ages: 14 months, four, six, and eight!
As for the smooth part... each family has different ways of doing things... you will find your way and it will fit you. But for a little insight here is what my family does!
Every morning we get up get kids dressed, ready, fed, and sent off to school. (still have two youngest at home all day)
Then the two at home get thirty minutes of tv time (enough for me to clean up a bit)
We play together for an hour to two, just goofing off.
Then there is five minutes of pickup and lunch time.
Then my four year old gets on pc and plays for a while...(preschool type of work) while I play solely with baby!
Sometime between 12 and 1 baby goes down for nap... he sleeps a good hour and a half to two hours...
I play with four year old a while and then we " tidy up"... turning music on dancing around and having fun while doing it... I've learned making cleaning fun makes cleaning a whole lot easier!
Then I let them play for a while by themselves while I play on pc... reading email, answering yahoo questions, doing any online buisiness I need to, etc.
When the older two get home we eat snack and then do homework (takes a total of half hour)
Then play with older two, talk to them, etc.
Then they play all together for a while (not lasting long enough before fights break out)
Then it's dinnertime, they each have a responcibility with dinner. (setting table, pouring drinks, watching baby while I cook, etc.)
They each clear their plates and take we clean up a bit...not too picky at this time!
Then they watch tv while I clean up the rest and prepare for the next day...laying clothes out, deciding on menu for the day etc.
Then it's showers, baths, and ready for bed... playtime for a bit, clean up for a bit, and it all ends with bedtime readings and tuck ins..... They are all in bed at 8pm.
the rest of the night is MY TIME!!!! I watch tv, read, play on pc (actually playing games on pc) and time to spend with my hubby one on one just him and I....(nice).
I know this is long and there are a lot of "etc.'s" but I hope it helps a little!
2007-03-02 07:49:00 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I switched to part time about a year ago when I had twins. Our routine is very flexible except for the afternoon nap. We try to go out 2 or 3 times a week, even if it just to pick up milk. (We've joined the zoo and museum to make this practical.) The days we are home, the house does get completely trashed. To keep myself sane about the mess, I focus on the things that I got done during the day, not what needs to be done. Afternoon nap is not flexible so that I can do some real cleaning (you would be amazed at what you can get done in 1 hour) and have some time to myself. I also have found that craft time is a godsend. I have a cupboad full of glue and crayons and paper and cutout shapes that I can just put on the dining room table and let them have at it for a few minutes while I get dinner started or something similar.
2007-03-02 08:55:29 · answer #2 · answered by Wilmavimom 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are two ends of the cleaning spectrum. You have feeling the need to clean all the time to leaving everything a mess. There is a common ground you can find. I do light cleanup during the week but on the weekends is when I do my most cleaning. Clearing off tables, bathrooms, major kitchen, you know the stuff that CAN wait. And you will figure out which is the stuff you absolutely have to do and what you can save for later. If your intention was to be there for your kids then by all means let the other stuff fall by the wayside. You can easily get things done when you settle them down for some quiet time or when your spouse gets home or like I said, on the weekends. Don't stress out, it will come to you and you will feel better about your decision. Good luck.
2007-03-02 07:40:51 · answer #3 · answered by ESTamez 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Take turns. When I feel as you describe, I either use the clock or just go by the task, but I take turns spending quality time with the kids and getting stuff done. This also makes sure the kids get practice in self-entertaining. For example, you can say to yourself (and the kids, if they are old enough to understand), "I am going to do some work for the next half-hour; then I'm all yours for the next half-hour". Or, similarly, "I have to do the laundry but then we can play a game. AFter our game I have to make dinner, so you'll need to find something else to do".
2007-03-02 10:48:24 · answer #4 · answered by toomanycommercials 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree....there will always be chores. However, they do need to get done. hehe
Have you ever seen Nanny 911? She is pretty much on the mark when it comes to helping things go smoother by making a schedule. Have a set time for meals, playing, napping, crafting and cleaning. It doesn't have to be Army rigid...but so the kiddos know what is coming next is reassuring to the children and moms!! Enlist the help of the kids as much as possible for meals and chores. My two year old makes his bed (not the way I would, but hey he tries) He piles up his animals and is very proud he helped too! He can certainly get the bread at lunch and put napkins on the table!
Have fun with it. Don't expect perfection....it is not going to happen with preschoolers. :)
Good Luck!
2007-03-02 07:41:46 · answer #5 · answered by Tracey W 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I feel the same way. I've been at home for almost 8 yrs and I know what you're going through. If your house is big enough, section off an area where they can play or draw or whatever activity they want, you clean whatever you need to, check on them often. i know you went to part time work to be with them but make like 1 1/2 hours where you go to the gym with out them, that will keep you feeling sane. I take it they aren't school age yet. I saw this cute thing at my daughters school.... they put a big glob of elmers glue on a sheet of wax paper then decorated it with cereal or just what ever they found, let them dry and hung them up to look like snow flakes. I thought that was cleaver. You can email me if you're feeling lonely, i know how you feel all too well.
2007-03-02 07:36:55 · answer #6 · answered by brandyswilkes 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Draw up a chart and list what you want to get done and leave a reasonable time slot to get it accomplished. Make it look fun with stickers or pictures of the activities. Let the kids cross off the things that have been done. Offer incentives for them doing some of the things for you like picking up their toys and putting clothes away. There are lots of new and fun things to do at home inside the house with free time. Treasure hunts are pretty fun art projects too. Google indoor kids activities and pick out some that look interesting to you and your kids.
2007-03-02 07:36:22 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am a stickler for routine, and you must realize two things, one: your house will never be perfectly clean and I promise that is okay ( I am a neat freak and I still struggle with this) two: it is okay for your children to entertain themselves, in fact it is good for them. They need to learn independance and to have an immagination. I start the day with breakfast at 7:30, change diapers get dressed all that good stuff. Done usually by 8:30. they play in the play room while I clean up from breakfast, they then help me make beds and get ready myself. ( I always take a shower at night ) then we read stories and play for an hour or so. Then they can watch a cartoon or play while I do a little housework, paperwork or have some alone time reading. Then we go outside for a little bit. Daddy comes home for luch, so at 11:00 they play while I prepare lunch. from 11:00-1:00 I serve lunch, they spend time with daddy and so on. At 1:00 it is nap time, even for my older ones on weekends, they lay down and rest or read. this is when I do most of my cleaning and pre-prepare dinner. At 3:00 (about the time wake up and kids come home from school) we do homework, after nap and school snacks and then we play outside or if it is not inclement weather, we play inside games, or make cookies. Then they play and read and watch TV while I finish dinner. Then the evening is reserved for church or boy scouts or just family time together.
Routine is so importnat for me, good luck finding your own.
2007-03-02 07:47:00 · answer #8 · answered by Barbara C 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well..........my motto is my kids will only be young once and the house work isn't going any where. You can set a timer and clean for 15 minutes and then do something with the kids. You would be surprised what you can get done by doing it like that. Not sure how old you children are but they can also help with the cleaning and stuff..............you will be amazed at how much fun you can make of things if you try!!
2007-03-02 07:34:25 · answer #9 · answered by JS 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I have 4 yr old I stay at home with frequently. One of the things that we plan for each day is about an hour of clean up time, where he helps me clean (he does a great job) and also about an hour where he does his thing while daddy does his thing.
The key is sturcture and trying to do things at a particular time and for a particular duration. Once it becomes routine it will also be come expected. And guess what...kids love having responsibility and doing a good job.
2007-03-02 07:39:09 · answer #10 · answered by Lemar J 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
When your kids are at home all the time, the house won't be nearly as clean as when they are only home a few hours. You just have to figure out a routine that works for you and the kids and ENJOY being at home with them.
2007-03-02 07:35:31 · answer #11 · answered by Psalm91 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋