Can anyone give me any advice on scheduling my day?

Question

I am a stay at home mom of 3 kids. My oldest is 4, and I'm pregnant with #4. I'm at the point in my pregnancy where if my kids would let me sleep all day long, I would. I'm tired, and unmotivated. I try to keep the house clean, but it seems like as soon as I finish one room, and move to the next, the first one is a disaster again. I have no clue as to solve this problem. I also would like someone to help me with a scedule that isn't too scary for me. I need a schedule that I can do. I've tried a schedule before, but couldn't stick to it, because it was waaay too specific. If someone out there knows what I'm talking about, please help me.

Answer 1

Maybe flylady.com can help you make a schedule that doesn't overwhelm you or tire you out. There everything gets broken down and it is an easy to follow routine. But, seems to me that you are doing one of the most overwhelming jobs on earth, raising children.

Answer 2

I also have 3 kids, but mine are more spread out (8, 5 and 18 months). So the two bigger ones are at school most of the day, but I still have to be on a schedule, as the little one follows me around and pushes on my knees to get me out of the kitchen.

If your oldest is four, I think first you need to decide whether your standards are too high. Just as an example, I had to give myself permission to leave certain tasks undone. I'd clean up the floor in the living room but didn't clean out the closet every time. Similarly, I'd clear the counters in the kitchen but not clean out the refrigerator every time. You need to decide what's important to you.

Secondly, can you try to contain the kid clutter? Maybe make one or two rooms off-limits to them and let them run wild in their rooms. I found that my room was suddenly clean all the time when I banished all the toys. We also have both a living room and a family room; I tried to make the living room kid-free but it never really worked out.

I know what you mean about finishing one room and having the kids create havok behind you. Does your oldest go to pre-school? If the budget allows this might make sense for you too.

Here's my suggestion for a basic schedule:

Mornings: do 1-2 loads of laundry, start to finish; run errands (so it doesn't interfere with afternoon naps)

Afternoons: clean up the kitchen (run the dishwasher, sweep the floor, start dinner). I sometimes cook the evening's dinner while the baby is napping and then reheat it for serving later.

Evenings: pick up anywhere you can, and vacuum the floor of at least one room

Good luck. I hope all goes well with the new baby!

Answer 3

Here is what I do and I find it really easy to do:
Monday- Grocery day, errands etc. (I make sure I make a list throughout the week and buy enough of things to last for the week)
Tuesday- Water Plants
Thursday- Sweep and Vacuum
Friday- Dust and clean the bathroom
Saturday- Laundry and take out recycling (Laundry might stretch into Sunday sometimes....)
Sundays and Wednesdays i have "off" because those are the days my hubby has off, so I think I should too.
I still do daily things like tidy up and dishes but sticking to this schedule helps keep the house looking clean and it only takes maybe 20-30min a day. Any other major jobs like cleaning the windows, wiping down walls ect, I save for a day when I feel like it.

I used to try to do one full day of cleaning and end up cleaning one room and then get carried away and tire myself out!

Although I do not have 4 kids (only a 4 month old so far) this works for me.

Hope this helps!

Answer 4

The best way to keep a schedule is to time yourself doing a specific chore at a normal pace.
You have now the time it takes you to do that thing,so when you make up a schedule you know exactly how long it will take.
Then make a list of all the chores and if you have more chores than time,you got to prioritizes chores and do what you can.
Only then you'll be able to keep some sort of a schedule.

Answer 5

The only advice I can give is try cleaning when kids are asleep, And for yourself, get some Lamaze classes to boost your energy up, get the kids involved in some kind of activity that both can enjoy, get some xtra help from a friend or relative.. Good Luck!!!