How do all of you Mom's do everything?

Kristen - posted on 08/06/2010

I hope this helps, I have 2 that are 18 months apart. They are older now, I got up at 5:30- 6:00 and schueduled things by the hour. It sounds tedious but that was the only way we could run our household. Free time is a luxery for you at the end of the day. I guess you can say you almost have to pretend you are in the military or bootcamp. Schuedule naps daily, that gives you time to take a nap if needed or time to yourself. Make dinners on Sundays and freeze them so you can pull them out and just cook them. Plan ahead of time, get a yearly planner and take charge before it takes charge of you. Hope this helps, we did it this way for 15 years, ran a very stict routine and it has many rewards. Kids need structure and routine, now our children thrive on a vigorous schuedule and they are doing it on thier own at this early age which promotes independance. I really hopes this helps, if you have any other questions or need help I hope I can help. Take care and good luck!
Kristen Nardo LMT

Shawn - posted on 08/06/2010

Shannon, No one gets everything done in a day. You just priorities and keep going. I have an autistic child plus 2 others and routine is so key keeping harmony in our home. I wrote out a routine and posted it for myself. I am not a routine person so it was hard and is still hard to keep to a routine but after a while it becomes second nature like brushing your teeth ect. You will find a routine that works for you. Enjoy yourtime at home with your children. Going with the flow is a routine. Once school starts you are in a routine. Most important enjoy your children because it goes so quickly.

Sharon - posted on 06/03/2009

Quoting Shannon:

How do all of you Mom's do everything?

How do you get through your day? What is your routine? I have a hard time even bothering to do anything for the house, my husband comes home and cooks dinner and cleans up after. I can't seem to get it figured out how to do both. I have a hard time getting my kids ready in the morning so we can go and do anything it seems to be a three hour process and by the time we are ready it is time to eat and then almost nap time.
Please help me by sharing your daily routine. Thank you!
I have a 2 year old (just turned two) and a 7 1/2month old.

you have little ones.dont stress it will get better,just do what realy needs doindg,can i borrow your hubby mine does nothing and i have 4

Girlio - posted on 06/03/2009

OK ladies, you have completely convinced me! My mom is/was SUPER WOMAN! Laundry was always done and put away (As a kid, I think the fairies must have done it, cuz I don't remember it being her), We always had a hot meal that was nutritious and balanced for dinner, healthy lunches for school that always had fresh baking in it (no store bought cookies in our house), Our house was always spotless (less my bedroom of course), and we always had breakfast as a family. mom dad brother and me, 7 days a week.

BOTH my parents worked FULL time jobs my entire childhood and they still do.

I was in dance, baseball, figure skating and horseback riding, my brother was in baseball, soccer, hockey, and all school sports. There was always at least one parent at every practice, rehearsal, recital, horse show, game, whatever it happened to be. My brother and I never in our entire childhood ever carpooled.

I know that dad did not do laundry unless it was ironing his own work shirts, dad rarely made dinner, unless he did the bbqing, dad did make most of the lunches. But my mother....WOW! We didn't have a lot of money left over after my parents paid to keep us busy and out of trouble so my mom baked most of our bread and buns, we rarely got take out or delivery, and she baked all of our treats for lunches/snacks whatever. Now HOW did she do ALL this AND work full time?

Melissa - posted on 06/03/2009

Quoting Katrice:

Quoting Melissa:

5:30 am I make coffee, have shower vacuum, do my windows and counters wash my floors.

7:30 am wake up my kids get then dressed and up for the day
8:00 am breafast cereal for my 6 month old make breaky for my 4 year old
9:00 am back to bed for my 6 month old I then do the dishes as my daughter watches cartoons
10:00 am educational play with my 2 children
10:30am we take a break for snacks time
11:30 am wake 6 month old son for sure if he happens to sleep through educational play time
(make lunch and drinks ready for 12:00)
12:00am lunch
12:30am lunch dishes counters disinfect and such
1:00pm we go for a walk or to the park if its cold just to the postoffice or whatevers neccesary if its cold well hurry up to get back home to play inside
2:00pm nap time for my son I then spend time with my 4 year old just us play what ever she likes
2:30 pm we take a break or snack time then go back to playing
3:00pm she does her chores(taking laundry downstairs or picking up toys and helping me was them as they typically get washed at this time either way from myself she likes to help wash her toys
4:00pm my son w wakes up they play together while I do laundry
5:00 pm supper then dishes counters stove and anything used gets washed
6-6:30pm nap foor my 6 month old son
7-7:30pm my 6 month old will wake up we have family time usually outside till 8- 8:30
8:30 daughter baths then her story time then bed for her at 9:00 pm
9:00 pm bath time for my son
9:30pm story time
10:00 bed time He goes in his crib awake and falls asleep within 5 min no crying involved
11:00 My face book time on and off I clean just leave it on see if anythings new I typically stay up to clean doing laundry my bathroom wiping off my couch getting stuff ready for the next day I usually do this until 2 - 3am I sometimes dont go to bed at all
There are things I didnt put in like breast feeding and small things I am not having in mind as I feed on demand I have OCD so this is my day seems like I never have enough time to do what needs to be done

Melissa, Your reply stresses me out. I thought i was bad. Your a worry. I show this to my Husband he might leave me alone.........

Get some rest & chill out. Your kids might end up with Ocd also..... Take care

Thanks I have been trying to work with myself on this but as I am breast feeding my normal medication can not be taken so yeah I get a bit bitchy when my schedule has to change and its really not fair.

Thanks for your worries, but hopefully soon I may stop breast feeding and go to formula. Then perhaps things will be better but I do feel guilty.

Rebecca - posted on 06/03/2009

divide, communicate & conquer (with your partner!) and let the little things go- remember to enjoy this time with your children (it goes too fast!)

Sharyn - posted on 06/03/2009

oh the house can wait.
just cook when i have to, get hubby to chip in some, and do washing.
i try to sleep when i can and since she has a early bedtime i do things then ....

Jackie - posted on 06/01/2009

mean my cute son 15mths old he alwalys late sleep around 10 to 11pm

Jackie - posted on 06/01/2009

hi me jackie deaf i have 4 kids but 3 kids school my baby son 1yrs love sleep when my kids school me my son back sleep haha lovely

Betty-Rose - posted on 05/31/2009

This may not help you because my kids are older. I have 5 and the youngest is 2 1/2. During the school year, I get the older ones up around 6:15 am to get ready for school and once they are on the bus at 7:00am; I usually go back to bed till about 8:30am. Trust me that may not sound like a lot but I feel awake and energized from that little cat nap. My 2 1/2 year old wakes up at 8:45am, I change her and give her breakfast. She plays around with her toys while I work and I turn on Sesame Street for her until she takes her nap at 12. Shes out until the kids get home from school at 2:15pm and everyone gets lunch and homework, then its cartoon network or the computer till I am done working at 6pm. We play and then get dinner ready, then bath time and in bed by 9pm. So far its been working, but here comes the summer where the schedule goes into chaos.

Donna - posted on 05/31/2009

For already organized people schedules can be a relief but for someone who is already overwhelmed, making a list of yet more things that won't get done may be self defeating.
Try this... write down 3 things that need to be done and 3 things you would like to get done. As the day progresses do the needed items first, check them off as you do them. Then if you have time after they are done do the things on the like list. As you get better and better at it you will be able to increase the number and handle just about everything. Remember the kids need you, the laundry, can wait. And remember you know what you can handle and if you can't handle everything today, there is always tomorrow.
When your kids are older they can help but for now enjoy the stages they are at.

Virginia (Jenny) - posted on 05/30/2009

My goodness! You are in a tough stage of mommyhood. My first two were 12 months apart and that was a blur. Just taking care of two little ones that close together are hard enough. First off, nap when they nap! If you aren't tired, use that opportunity to straighten up the house, start dinner for later, or something productive if you like. Now that I have an 8,7,5,3, and 1 years old, I assign chores. Since yours are so young, you can't do that really. I tell my boys that when they follow their chore list, they are my hero helpers. However, you sound a lot like the same stuggles I have. If you'd like, I'll tell you my list just for myself. I keep it really, really simple. I will not go to bed at night till I've check these all off. 1) Made bed, 2) Cleaned lunch mess 3) Watered plants outside (if necessary), 4.) straighten and/or wiped down bathrooms if needed 5.) Cleaned dinner mess 5.) Put away all laundry 6.) Made kids follow chores. 7.) Kept dishes clean. If you are too tired to do much that day since your kids are so little, my grandma always taught me to at least make your bed and do your dishes. That alone makes a big difference. Your whole bedroom could be trashed but if your bed is made, it doesn't look that bad. :D

Ridhima - posted on 05/30/2009

hello all the moms.i read few replies u responded to shannon.its really grt that u can work out things.basically even iam a bit obsessed with cleanliness and i cant have sleep or relax in the mess.and my this nature has helped me to keep my house clean and that i have to do it fast.as being a mom of a toddler even i have to set a routine and the whole routine just revolves around him.the ti me i wake up i start cuuting veges for our lunch as well as dinner.i keep the cut veges in fridge and prepare the one for lunch along with some curry.and while its getting cooked i feed my kid his breakfast and have my own.then i clean the dishes,stove etc.this all is followed by a bath amd massage.by that time its lunch time.then we have our lunch together and then he takes nap which is for 1.30 to 2.00 hrs.in this time i read or check my mails or even watch tv.after his nap time he has his snack which i prepare(i really dont prefer outside food when we r at home or if we dont have other option).then we both play for some time and i prepare the dinner side by side.then this is followed by my gym and swim where i have MY OWN TIME for 2.30 hrs.that time my husband looks after him and they really enjoy that time and its imp for father-son bonding.we get home and its dinner time aswell as togethr tima for three of us.and then its story time for my kid in which he sleeps ofcourse with a milk bottle:(and then we watch a movie and go to sleep by 10.30.this all has become simple for me because of PLANNING.this becomes really simple as i praplan the menu for breaky,lunch,snacks and dinner.and i get everything ready in one time.this works for me.u can give a try and see.all the best.

Leanne - posted on 05/30/2009

my kids are around the same age as urs one is 2 years 1 month and one is 1 yr 1 mnth the trick do the important things first have like wash days (do all ur washin one after another and do it like 3 times a week) put them in high chairs to eat and use that time to get everything done u cnt do when there running around u have 2 kid su cant be expected to have a spotless house but i think gettin into a routine is important coz then u know what needs to be done hope this helps x

Michelle - posted on 05/30/2009

I'm there with you! I have a 3yr old and a 15month old. Fact: house wives keep their houses 90% cleaner then the generation when we were kids. We have the expectations to have a clean house, cook, feed, excersize, socialize, and somehow maintain EVERYONE's hygene in the family. lol

You just pick and choose what is most important to you and survive.It SLOWLY get's easier but you'll battle the naps / eating / schedule as everyone grows. I'm almost a recluse since that process is too stressful then I become a mean mom. I keep my youngest on a schedule so when he naps from 9:30-11:30 I work out and shower myself and clean up a little. From 2:30-4:30 I prep what I'm going to cook so veggies are cut up and all I have to do is throw it together when dad is home (with the kids in the other room).

When you have free time, make a meal calander so you can plan ahead on what to cook. It'll save you a ton on groceries too.

Susan - posted on 05/30/2009

Hi Shannon as you can see from all the other posts you are certainly not the only Mum to have this problem. I too was always struggling to cope with a young baby but it can
be done it just takes a little organisation and fore thought. I find that doing washing everyday rather than a couple of times a week a lot less overwhelming as its amazing how much washing can build up in a few days. If you get up a little earlier than the kids do, then you'll have time to pop a load in the machine before they have risen for the day.
I find that instead of sitting at night and watching the t.v. I set up the ironing board and Iron a little each night whilst watching my favourite shows. I can still talk to my husband but I'm getting the work done too. When you do cook a meal stews, caseroles, lasagna etc are all great and make a double quantity and freeze half for another meal so when your'e busy you can just defrost, heat and eat. During nap time you should be able to run the vac around and clean up in the bathrooms etc. Try to designate jobs to certain days for example: Monday big bathroom clean, Tuesday Vac the house, Wednesday dusting etc. Make kids bath time at night so that you don't spend 3 hours getting ready to go out in the morning. It seems a bit overwhelming at first but if you write yourself a list and check things off as you go you will start to fall into a routine its just takes patience and time. Hope this helps a bit. Good luck!

Kristy - posted on 05/30/2009

Hi I'm Kristy and I have a 2 month old and a 2 1/2 year old and my routine is......
1.Do dishes ASAP, don't let it pile up.
2.Load washing machine with clothes the night before, so you only have to start it in the morning. and do a little load everyday as it helps with stain removal and easier to put away.
3.Aim for 1-2 hours of housework a day only and when they are asleep, I do bathrooms one day, Mop floors another, Vacuum every 2nd day etc, remember ONLY YOU sees the real dirt, as long as it's tidy, DON'T STRESS!!
4.Teach oldest child to play with toys in their room and to put them away every night before bed.
5.If desperate, hire a cleaner once a week, fortnight or month to do the yucky jobs-clean the oven, windows, bathroom, whatever jobs you don't like. It's not that expensive if they only work for a couple of hours.
6.Organise a weekly meal planner when they are in bed, and prepare dinner during the day when you have time (pre-cut veggies etc)
7.Bath kids (only if you can) while dinner is cooking. I find my 2 1/2 year old is hungrier after his bath and will eat almost anything.
8.Since you have bathed the kids before dinner, they can play while you do the dishes and tidy the kitchen.
9.ENJOY YOUR KIDS and play with them as much as possible, they grow so quick!
This is how I cope and my partner is away with work quite a lot, I don't get ANY help and I find this routine the only way I keep sane with 2 small children.
I can even squeeze some exercise in during the day. Just pop on a DVD for them and it will keep them happy for maybe an hour.
Hope this helps....xxx

Emi - posted on 05/30/2009

I have 4 years and 2 6 months old and 6 monts old all boys. THe first one goes to kindergarden, my husbad take him there, but our day is quite busy and my house oh how I wish could be clean and organized everyday. Bt, relax and tell yor self that it is just a time and they will grow up, you will catch up with everything, the house will be clean , clothes will be ironed, dishes will not pile, but the time that you spend with children will be gonne and all we you will be left is the momory of those days when they were so small, so cute, so innoncent. My older is one is 4 and I try to do my best to spend time with him as well. Time flies so quick and before we know they will have children of their own. My day is quite busy, sometimes I feel like screaming, and I have my husband and mother in law that help a lot too. My children wake up too early and if one is wake well all are wake.Then is potty time, dress up time, breakfast time, etc. Any my children werent able to play on their own until recently. just try to keep their clothes in the minimum, more clothes mean more lundry more mess, and buy the ones that dont need to be ironed, come up with simple breakfeast ideas, mine like to have oats or semolina or corn flakes and is easy to make and good for them. One meal is simple like eggs and salad or soup, and next meal is something like meat. well, I like to cook but I have to came up with simple recepies to be able to keep up. Can not afford to be in the kitcen for hours to cook. So, that helps a lot too. Also, dishes, I put them in the soapy water and then do it when the kids nap, it helps a lot too. Try to clean the toalet and bathroom as much as is needed and mop few times a week. With my little one crowling will be a bit callenge but it will work out. OH, and if you find some nice eduactive stuff for children you can put them to watch while you do few things. I usually search a lot and find very nices stuff that helps them to learn more. And shool time, I try to read to them and teach how to read and other stuff, it works well. they love to be told and seems that make them less agresssive too. I have hard time to take them out for a long time, but I am getting better dressing them in few min. just have everything handy and simple.

bed time is still challenge but we are working on it. And even with my DH help, I am still brethless by the end of the day, but I know that soon things will be diffrent. so, enjoy the children while you can.See what will work for you. God bless you

Emi - posted on 05/30/2009

Quoting Victoria:

Hey, dont sweat the small stuff....i have a 2 year old ( just turned 2 today) and a 2 1/2 week old....i just try not to let thing get to me...just go with the flow...There only this age for so long, so enjoy every moment....
I find if i plan on goin somewheres the next day, i always get things ready the night before ( like clothes picked out, diaper bags packed,,,,and so on..)
i get my 2 year old to help me clean, even if he doesnt do things right, its quality time spent together....i try to look at everything with a positive view...being sad or mad is a wasted emotion....

We usually get up in the AM around 6:30-7, eat breakfast, then get dressed....then were ready for what the day brings us...it can get frustrating, but we always manage to get through it....nap time for my son is around 1pm....but sometimes if were out, it can end up being around 2...he will usually sleep for about 2 hours....when nap time is over i usually take him outside to play until supper...he hates to come inside, but he gets over it pretty quick...if i ask him if he wants to wash his dirty hands from playin in the dirt, he will come inside with no fuss...but that doesnt always work..lol...
Bed time for him is 7pm...we give him a bath, read a book in his rocking chair and then its off to bed...weve done this for a long time now, and he goes to bed really good...once he's in bed, i clean up his playroom and tidy up a few things...sometimes i do a load of laundry, i usually do that during the day tho...my son helps with that too....
you dont have to follow my routine, find what works for you and your family...everyone is different...
If you worry to much about the house being dirty or messy, and routines, your gonna miss the precious moments...just relax, and live life to its fullest.
hope you find what works for you..
take care

Emi - posted on 05/30/2009

Quoting Victoria:

Hey, dont sweat the small stuff....i have a 2 year old ( just turned 2 today) and a 2 1/2 week old....i just try not to let thing get to me...just go with the flow...There only this age for so long, so enjoy every moment....
I find if i plan on goin somewheres the next day, i always get things ready the night before ( like clothes picked out, diaper bags packed,,,,and so on..)
i get my 2 year old to help me clean, even if he doesnt do things right, its quality time spent together....i try to look at everything with a positive view...being sad or mad is a wasted emotion....

We usually get up in the AM around 6:30-7, eat breakfast, then get dressed....then were ready for what the day brings us...it can get frustrating, but we always manage to get through it....nap time for my son is around 1pm....but sometimes if were out, it can end up being around 2...he will usually sleep for about 2 hours....when nap time is over i usually take him outside to play until supper...he hates to come inside, but he gets over it pretty quick...if i ask him if he wants to wash his dirty hands from playin in the dirt, he will come inside with no fuss...but that doesnt always work..lol...
Bed time for him is 7pm...we give him a bath, read a book in his rocking chair and then its off to bed...weve done this for a long time now, and he goes to bed really good...once he's in bed, i clean up his playroom and tidy up a few things...sometimes i do a load of laundry, i usually do that during the day tho...my son helps with that too....
you dont have to follow my routine, find what works for you and your family...everyone is different...
If you worry to much about the house being dirty or messy, and routines, your gonna miss the precious moments...just relax, and live life to its fullest.
hope you find what works for you..
take care

Nicole - posted on 05/29/2009

Ahh... been there... my children are 18 months apart. While I was stay at home I would get up every morning around 7, mostly because that was when the baby was up for the day, I'd pull out outtfits and get everyone showered, in one shot, and dressed. If we had things to do we were out of the house by 9. If not we would do breakfast, I'd put on a little einsteins video so I could clean up dishes and any messes made. Then make lunch. After lunch we would play on the floor until naptime. We all napped... it helps keep up the energy to actually want to make dinner. We'd get up from naps and I'd start dinner, by time daddy got home everything was done... now that i'm working there are a lot of nights that I say "oh well" and just let things go... Don't try to live the leave it to beaver life. Live for you and your kids, the way you want to. Let your hosue look lived in, and let your kids look like they've played hard all day. I am a perfectionist, which attributed to the stay at home routine I had... it was hard to let it go when i started working, but i am just tooo tired now to worry about perfection.

Amanda - posted on 05/29/2009

Well in my house we have a schedule and a routine. I am a stay at home mom that runs a business (child day care) I am a part time student and I joined up with a part time work at home program. I am busy busy busy. My husband also is a full time student and works in the evenings so it is often me alone.
I find that being overly organized is key. Organize everything , the bathroom, the pantry, the kids clothes, even the toy room. organization is a huge time saver. For our toy room I have shelves for the toys, stuff like barns/houses ect get put on a shelf and has a corresponding bin for the pieces. same for barbies. Lego is dumped into a large bit with handles as are blocks. books are categorized by age group, dvds by type.
I bought a hanging closet shelf with 7 cubical s for my kids, Each Sunday I put a complete out fit and pajama set in each cube and that is their clothes for the week. it makes the morning very easy. in the bathroom I was tired of falling bottles off of the tub so each Person has a plastic shoe box with lid for his/her items, now they are nicely stacked and I know where everything is. Another thing that is key is to stay on top of the laundry, never ever ever let it pile up, as soon as a load is done fold it and put it away. Dont let clutter build up, have a designated basket in every room that you can toss clutter into, when it is full put the stuff where it belongs.
Plan your meals ahead and do as much work ahead of time as possible, example, make 2 batches of chili or any 1 pot meal and freeze the left overs. Chop peppers and onions and freeze them for quick fajitas. there are so many make ahead meals you can do. When you bring your grocery home do the prep work for the week, shred cheese and freeze it for baked pasta ect. when you grocery shop take a list, no impulse buying and get in and out in as little time as possible. Make a list of things you need to do each day and just do it.
If you need to clean don't feel bad about putting on the tv or putting the kids in a safe room with a box of toys and put a baby gate up. have your cleaning supplies you need for each room in that room. I like multi purpose spray because i can hold it in one hand spray and wipe with the other hand, I start with the least dirtiest room and work my way around ending with the bathroom. You will find that if you clean as you go your home will stay clean. Being organized will save you a ton of time and you will be way less stressed.

Courtney - posted on 05/29/2009

Well, I don't have 2 kids yet...I'm 3 months prego, but when I do they will be newborn and 2yrs 5 months apart. I think about this DAILY!! I have a great routine now with my daughter. We wake at 7ish and then down for breakfast at like 7:30-8. Then it is dressed and usually to dr appts or grocery shopping, etc. Then it is home by 11-12 for her nap. Then by like 2-3 she is up and lunch is served. We then play with the puppy we just got and do some other activites and then it is dinner about 6pm. Then it is bath and bed by 8pm. Then after she is in bed, I have MY time...which is on most days spent relaxing, but some days I spend it cleaning the mess from the day. My hubby helps DEEP clean the house on one of his 2 days off. (deep cleaning meaning mopping floors, vaccuming, scrubbing toliets etc) I do light maintence during the week and when I have hime around I try to deep clean, but he usually feels bad and does it himself...he tells me that I work a 9-5 like he does, but then I also cater to our daughters every whim, so he helps me out with the house. Honestly, if it weren't for him, I don't think the toliets would ever get scrubbed!! LOL! Hope I've helped!!

Jennifer - posted on 05/29/2009

I work part time and am studying a law degree and have 2 children, 5 years old and 18 months.
I have had to make choices about what is really important and only focus on those things. I study after the kids have gone to bed so that I can spend as much quality time as possible with them during the day. My husband helps with the housework most of the time. I cook, he does the dishes. I do the washing, he does the floors. Its a pretty even split. Here is my daily routine on work days:

6am - get up and have shower and get dressed.
615 - get kids up and dressed and ready
630 - out the door to before school care and creche
7am - on train on way to work. I get around 40 minutes of reading for school done en route.
815 - arrive at work
5pm - leave work
515pm - get around 30-40 minutes of reading done on train
615 - home. organise dinner ( I have a couple of quick recipes for work days and can get dinner on the table 25 minutes after getting hom
7pm - kids in bath
720pm 5 year old off to bed
730pm - fold washing. make lunches for next day.
830pm - 18 month old off to bed
845pm - studying
1130pm - bed

It is possible to get all the important things done, but you have to only do the important things and triage the rest.

Good luck.

Jen

Ashley - posted on 05/29/2009

The trick with dealing with the two kids and getting other stuff done, while keeping your sanity, is teamwork. I work and my husband stays with my sons. Every evening I lay both of their clothes out for the next day. I leave before the kids wake up in the morning. When I get home in the evening, my home is pretty devastated but my husband starts making dinner while I play with kids and clean up the house. We eat as a family together and then hang out for about an hour until our youngest goes to bed. The oldest goes to bed an hour later. The rest of the night is dedicated to my husband and I having alone time, and cleaning more. We both go to online school, too, so we usually do that right before we go to bed. We usually go to bed at about 1030, so its not like we are awake at all hours getting stuff done. Sometimes there are things we wait to clean or fix until the weekend, not that our house it dirty, its just thats when we have the time. As your kids get older, they can start helping you clean.

Jackie - posted on 05/29/2009

Hi, Shannon! I've just joined "Circle of Mom's" hoping to connect with moms of adult children, but I saw your post, and I think I have something to help you. I raised three children as a stay-at-home mom (my boys were 12 months apart!). Now I've started a web service for families at http://www.habitudes.info. On it you'll find a family chore chart called "Whose Job Is It? It's "NOT your mother's chore chart" - you'll have to see it to understand why I say that. It's free until June 30. Hope it helps take some of the load off!

Stephanie - posted on 05/29/2009

I have one son, Michael. He's 4. Not yet in school, though. His birthday wasn't until November and the cut off for preschool here was Sept. Anyways, Our schedule is pretty easy.

7am-I'm awake.. I like waking up two hours before him to get some me time and wake up time. I cook myself breakfast, drink a couple cups of coffee, take my dog out, get online for about 30 mins, clean up after my breakfast and take a shower. I'm slow at moving in the mornings so all of this takes me about 2 hours. haha

9am- Michael is up and goes straight to the couch. I turn cartoons on for him, get him OJ or milk and than start his breakfast. He eats than takes a bath and gets dressed for the day. After his bath he plays while I clean up after his breakfast and clean around the house if anything needs done.

11am- We go to the playground for 1 hour. Than come back and it's wake hubby up time and lunch time.. I cook, We eat than I clean up while him and the hubby play.

1pm- We work on his letters and numbers for about an hour. He's in the process of learning to write them. He loves writing them so I think this is the only reason why I can keep his attention with it for a while hour.

2pm- All 3 of us will get on the floor and play or Michael will play while the hubby and I cuddle up on the couch and watch a little TV. He leaves for work at 2:45pm.

3pm- We take our dog to the dog park for 1 hour.

4pm- We come back inside and wash up.. He usually plays in the dirt at the dog park so sometimes he'll need a bath. I get dinner started (Sometimes I'll use my crock pot and start this when I first wake up.. Lately has been every morning.. I'm in love with my crock pot. haha).

5:30pm- This is usually around the time dinner is ready and we eat. After dinner I clean up and he plays or watches a cartoon. After I clean Michael and I play or read a book or just talk (Michael LOVES talking.. lol).

8pm- I brush his teeth, read him a book and than tuck him into bed. I get called in his room 2 or 3 times between the time I tuck him in until 9pm because he wants to say I love you or a hug or the fan on or off or some little excuse to make him stay awake longer.. He's usually fast asleep by 9pm.

This is the schedule on hubbys work days.. Hubbys days off are a bit different. We only have 1 car so we don't really go far from the house on days hubby works.. but on days hubby is off we go places a lot. That, Or it's lazy weekends with laying around the house and cleaning up a bit but not as much and going to playgrounds longer.. etc.

Verlene - posted on 05/29/2009

I am going to shock everyone I have 5 kids 9,6,5,3,7mo they are wonderful kids. my problem is my mom kept a perfect house and I have been trying for 13 years to keep up with that. I feel like if I don't she wont think I am a good wife and mother, so when I don't keep up which is hardly ever I feel like a failure and I get angry with my self and I sometimes take it out on the kids. I just read an article in a magazine that my church put out that it is ok to let some things go to spend time with your children. That made me feel a lot better that my church said its ok to and don't have to feel guilty about. like this morning my 3 year old wanted to ride his new bike and needs help I told him I had to clean the kitchen and then we could. this upset him and although I don't give into wining this made me realize I was putting the wrong thing first the dishes will still be there when I am done with my son but my son will not always be three. this will take some work for me but I think I will feel better about being a mom the more I enjoy the kids.

Michele - posted on 05/29/2009

Here is my routine. Keep in mind I have it way easier the you do. I have 10 kids and I remember how hard is was with 2 or 3!



6:30 am wake up, shower, eat and have a HOT coffee

7:00 little ones wake up and eat(kids ages 2,3,4,6)

7:30 little ones get dressed and brush teeth and hair- the 6 older ones wake up

8 am older ones are dressed and eating breakfast, younger ones are watching TV and I am getting 2 school lunches ready

8:30 2 school kids are out the door to school and the oldest daughter is loading the breakfast dishes in the dishwasher.

9 am Homeschool begins for the younger kids and the older kids do their chores.

11:30 the younger ones are done with school work and I get lunch ready, we eat and clean up dishes. Prep for supper.

1pm the younger kids play or nap while I work with the older homeschoolers.

3:30 pm we end school work and clean up the toy room. The little ones have gotten up from their naps and are raring to go. Play time for them while I am doing laundry and other chores

5pm supper is getting ready to be served

6:30 everyone has eaten and dishes are being loaded into the dishwasher to get washed.

7:30 little ones are getting ready for the tub

8:30 little have been washed and readied for bed and are getting a story or watching cartoons before climbing into bed.Oldest ones are getting their showers and getting ready for bed.

9 pm little ones are in bed, Hubby and I do some chores

10 pm the older ones are in bed and Hubby and I are doing chores, prep for breakfast

11 pm we are done for the day, might catch the news or crash for the night



Now this is very general, my big schedule is just to extensive to copy here. It takes into account Dr`s appointments,hobbies and lists specific chores to specific kids. This schedule is just something we aim for, It would be a miracle if we got everything done on that list everyday. But we try. Life happens, kids get sick, people stop by or sometimes we get an opportunity to do something different for the day and we go for it.

Stephanie - posted on 05/29/2009

I can understand your frustration! I have 3 kids 16, 12, & 7 and am due with a 4th in August. Not to mention, I'm taking college classes to get my RN. I found a WONDERFUL website that helps with keeping the house up... FLYLADY.COM. It helps you build routines and schedules that you don't have to totally be strict with. Flylady's philosophy is you can do anything for 15 minutes. And working 15 mintues at a time, you can get things done. I've recently become at stay at home mom when I had the worst morning sickness ever for 3 months and quit my part-time job as a CNA working nights at a nursing home. Staying at home I realized what chaos we were living in, and with the help and structure of Flylady have managed to get my house in some managable condition (I'm still working on it...) and have even found time to enjoy the things I used to do like quilt. My house is clean, and getting more organized by the 15 minutes! I don't worry about people dropping by to visit anymore and I even have plans to paint my livingroom and diningroom soon. I have time set aside to work on my homework, and I have meals planned for the next week, and shop accordingly.
Flylady sends daily email reminders and testimonials and even helps get kids and hubbys involved! And knowing you only have to work for 15 minutes at a time helps you from getting overwhelmed. I'm happy a friend of mine suggested Flylady and hope this website can help anyone feeling overwhelmed by CHAOS in their homes!!

User - posted on 05/29/2009

I only have my almost-9 month old, but just found out I am pregnant again! For me, it's become a matter of "shortcuts." I bought 2 canisters of the lysol wipes and keep one in the bathroom and one in the kitchen. In the morning, after hubby goes to work, I wipe down the vanity, sink, and toilet in the bathroom - this takes less than 2 minutes and the bathroom then looks respectable - I check to see if it needs swept - if so, I do it then. Same for the kitchen - I try to keep up with the dishes and wipe down the counters and stove with a lysol wipe, sweep only if needed. I also check the entryway - if it needs to be swept, I sweep. I've found that keeping these 3 areas up make my home look a lot more "together."

As for meals, casseroles and crockpots are lifesavers!

Kat - posted on 05/29/2009

Quoting Melissa:

5:30 am I make coffee, have shower vacuum, do my windows and counters wash my floors.

7:30 am wake up my kids get then dressed and up for the day
8:00 am breafast cereal for my 6 month old make breaky for my 4 year old
9:00 am back to bed for my 6 month old I then do the dishes as my daughter watches cartoons
10:00 am educational play with my 2 children
10:30am we take a break for snacks time
11:30 am wake 6 month old son for sure if he happens to sleep through educational play time
(make lunch and drinks ready for 12:00)
12:00am lunch
12:30am lunch dishes counters disinfect and such
1:00pm we go for a walk or to the park if its cold just to the postoffice or whatevers neccesary if its cold well hurry up to get back home to play inside
2:00pm nap time for my son I then spend time with my 4 year old just us play what ever she likes
2:30 pm we take a break or snack time then go back to playing
3:00pm she does her chores(taking laundry downstairs or picking up toys and helping me was them as they typically get washed at this time either way from myself she likes to help wash her toys
4:00pm my son w wakes up they play together while I do laundry
5:00 pm supper then dishes counters stove and anything used gets washed
6-6:30pm nap foor my 6 month old son
7-7:30pm my 6 month old will wake up we have family time usually outside till 8- 8:30
8:30 daughter baths then her story time then bed for her at 9:00 pm
9:00 pm bath time for my son
9:30pm story time
10:00 bed time He goes in his crib awake and falls asleep within 5 min no crying involved
11:00 My face book time on and off I clean just leave it on see if anythings new I typically stay up to clean doing laundry my bathroom wiping off my couch getting stuff ready for the next day I usually do this until 2 - 3am I sometimes dont go to bed at all
There are things I didnt put in like breast feeding and small things I am not having in mind as I feed on demand I have OCD so this is my day seems like I never have enough time to do what needs to be done

Melissa, Your reply stresses me out. I thought i was bad. Your a worry. I show this to my Husband he might leave me alone.........

Get some rest & chill out. Your kids might end up with Ocd also..... Take care

Cherise - posted on 05/28/2009

I have one child and I work 3 or 4 days a week so the days I'm off I'm always out running errands. I usually get up at 8 or 830 and just start getting myself ready. My son is used to getting up on his own so he just sits and plays in his bed til I'm ready for him. I get him up at 830 or 9 and sit him down on the couch with either a book or tv. I usually also stick around for a minute to snuggle him. Then I start breakfast and do the dishes until he comes to ask for food. We eat breakfast and then we're off for the day. I always have the diaper bag packed and I just throw in a juice and we're out the door. Lunch is at 12 or 1230 and nap is at 1ish. He then sleeps for 2 hrs but I'm not very motivated so I start with my devotions and then do a few things in between tv and internet time. I usually start supper or take something out of the freezer during nap time so it goes faster later. My hubby gets home between 4 and 5 then he takes my son downstairs and I get to cook alone. I love the freedom of cooking without kids hanging off me. We quickly clear the table after supper, go for a family walk and then play, bath, story and bed by 9.



I never feel like I do a lot during the day but my home is usually in fairly good order. I follow Flylady (www.flylady.net) most of the time but mostly I just love the 15 minute rule. My son even understands it already. I set a timer for 15 minutes and that's cleaning time as fast as you can. Take a 5 minute break when the timer beeps and do it again (if you want). I try to do 15 minutes 4 times per day. It's an hour of cleaning but 15 minutes at a time is much easier.



Hope that helps.

Toni - posted on 05/28/2009

Hi I'm Toni, Lol I'm laughing at your story cause, I have the same problem in the morning, my daughter is at school and we have to be out the door at 8.35 if it were just her i had to get ready it would be fine, but...I have 2 boys aswell, 2y10mths and 10 month old, time is something I lost about 10 mths ago when my second son was born, now i don't care if the house work is not done as I would rather spend time with my kids playing, I did however introduce a 7pm bedtime which allows me some time for housework and myself once they are all in bed, or really just some time to breath before I go to bed. life is easier if everything for the morning is organised before you go to bed eg:- clothes, bags, tea for tomorrow defrosting I also found writing lists of what needed to be done help me cause as I crossed it off the list I felt like I was achieving something. I hope something in this reponse helps you.

Tiffany - posted on 05/28/2009

i have 2 daughters and 1 more on the way. my 2 just turned 2 and 1. i say make things simple at first with your routine. start out with just your meals at a specific time. then move to different activities. For example i will start a load of laundry at night and throw it into the dryer before i go to sleep. i get my girls up make them breakfast which i plan out the night before so when i get up im not wasting time trying to decide what to make. they eat i clean up the mess while they eat( im not much of a brkfast person so i just eat a fruit most days) Once they are done i clean them off throw on their clothes which i usually already have planned out as well. they play, if we have errands we go do them. come back home they eat lunch (thats when i hit the dewrinkle button on my dryer depending on whats in it) and after they eat i lay them down for their nap. then i fold my laundry and put it away. Whatever time i have left i rest!!
I reccommend getting a dry erase board and writing out meals for breakfast and lunch for the week you may be surprised by how much time that alone will save you.

Hope - posted on 05/28/2009

Come to think of it my future MIL says that its best to just do what I can is pick at the house work when I am alone. but when my fiance is off work he does take over with her so I can get dishes done, or laundry, or if I need to take a nap to recharge but usually when she goes for nap I nap. And I read something about the cabin fever I feel I go through that right now I do get out when its need to..but its a matter of finding friends or family available to watch her when not busy..or when my fiance is not working..have a date night.

Betsy - posted on 05/28/2009

Quoting Rachel:

Quoting Savannah:

My oldest just turned 2 and my second is almost 10 months old.....  I am preggo again so I try to just chill while they are sleeping, but for the most part I manage to get things done throughout the day.

wow congrats-your brave! I have a 1 year 2 month old and we are due to have another in october---i cant imagine having 3 children age 3 and under!  I wish you the best of luck!

I had 3 under one with my youngest 3, having one son, then twin boys immediately after. I had 2 older children, spread more in age, and seriously started to panic when we found out it was twins. You would be surprised at how you adjust and what once seemed intimidating becomes normal. It is also wonderful seeing siblings that close interact and love each other. You'll really enjoy that when the new baby comes, and they bond.

Helen - posted on 05/28/2009

i work full time and my husband works 7 days a week so i just have to manage. I find that i can get the housework done much faster without my so in tow (10 months and into everything) i get up at 5/5.30 and do an hour of frantic housework while my son is still asleep before i get ready for work. I come home at 6pm and cook and put the washing on. we then eat and put our son to bed. My husband then washes up while i iron and he goes to bed around 10pm. I then have an hour or so of school work to do (primary school teacher) i also spend at least 1/2 of saturday doing school work or house work but i make sure my sunday is free to spend with my son. My advice would be to take advantage of nap times because what you can get done (housework) in an hour by yourself might take half a day with the kids. I also make it a rule to not watch TV or do any leisure things until the house work is done. I know you sometimes need me time but i know mums who have lots of me time while the house and the kids are ignored - it is a matter of finding a balance.

Hope - posted on 05/28/2009

Thank god someone asked the same question I was going to ask...Cause I try so hard to multi task being by myself and looking after a 15month old who is learning to walk and get into things and trying to keep up with house work. And not to mention I am trying to master at getting her to bed every night at a consistent time, I was thinking of making a chart some how to see if that helps me.

Emily - posted on 05/28/2009

When my oldest was 18 mos, I gave birth to my daughter. It's hard! Just pick out a few things that you are determined to get done, like dishes or getting stuff picked up off the floor. Do it, no matter what! Put the baby in the playpen and let the toddler 'toddle' around for a while. If you get just a couple things accomplished, you'll feel so much better.

Kelly - posted on 05/28/2009

I know that feeling! Little ones are such a challenge even on the best days. Here's how I handle things when I'm at home with the kids. First I keep the diaper bag always packed and ready to go (it's easiest to restoke it with diapers and the like every night before you go to bed). I take full advantage of nap time. It's a great time to do things you just can't do with the kids around. But there are a lot of things I've learned to do with the kids in toe. I can fold laundry and save it to put away after my hubby gets home. If you have to do something right away find something to keep the kids busy first. Your two year old may enjoy a simple puzzle and pack n' plays are a god send when it comes to keeping a baby out of trouble and safe. I also invested in baby gates to keep the kids in one room... if I had to leave for a few minutes I knew they were safe because I baby proofed.

Rachel - posted on 05/28/2009

Quoting Savannah:

Thanks Rachel! Congrats to you too! This one is Due in Oct. too and I'm scared to death! ha ha all 3 will be 15 months apart! lol

Thanks!  Wow-in that case your REALLY brave! I dont know how you do it! i am pulling out my hair already-Ayden is at the age where he is testing his boundries and I am so tired from being preggo--I cant imagine already having 2 at home....

Birth control sure let me down! and I just in the last mont have come to grips with having another child-we are definatly doing something different after this one is born! I want to have some more time to just drink in one kid before adding another lol

Savannah - posted on 05/28/2009

Thanks Rachel! Congrats to you too! This one is Due in Oct. too and I'm scared to death! ha ha all 3 will be 15 months apart! lol

Rachel - posted on 05/28/2009

Quoting Savannah:

My oldest just turned 2 and my second is almost 10 months old.....  I am preggo again so I try to just chill while they are sleeping, but for the most part I manage to get things done throughout the day.

wow congrats-your brave! I have a 1 year 2 month old and we are due to have another in october---i cant imagine having 3 children age 3 and under!  I wish you the best of luck!

Rachel - posted on 05/28/2009

Quoting Savannah:

My oldest just turned 2 and my second is almost 10 months old.....  I am preggo again so I try to just chill while they are sleeping, but for the most part I manage to get things done throughout the day.

wow congrats-your brave! I have a 1 year 2 month old and we are due to have another in october---i cant imagine having 3 children age 3 and under!  I wish you the best of luck!

Rachel - posted on 05/28/2009

Quoting Savannah:

My oldest just turned 2 and my second is almost 10 months old.....  I am preggo again so I try to just chill while they are sleeping, but for the most part I manage to get things done throughout the day.

wow congrats-your brave! I have a 1 year 2 month old and we are due to have another in october---i cant imagine having 3 children age 3 and under!  I wish you the best of luck!

Savannah - posted on 05/28/2009

Also, don't feel like everything has to be perfect! I used to be so riculously anal about this house and I had to learn that that was just an outrageous expectation for a mom. Lower your requirements. Don't expect that everything will get done in one day or that your home will always look amazing. The most important thing for you to do is take care of those kiddos and as long as they aren't living in a pigsty you are doing really good.

I also try to get up at least half an hour before the kids and have some tea or coffee and some "me time" to balance myself for the day. It helps.

Rachel - posted on 05/28/2009

I make massive use of NAPTIME! in fact today i accomplished all of my cleaning in only 1 hour and that included sweeping, mopping and vacuuming the entire house...when my son is awake i get little things that don't involve chemical cleaners done....such as laundry or vacuuming...he is at the age where he wants to help (he is 1 year and 2 months) he walks behind me when i vacuum and holds the cord...and if i need to unload or reload dishes or something more involved while he is awake i do it when he is in his highchair eating a snack....but i devote most of my time to playing and being with him when he is awake-i view my job as mom as first priority-who cares if there are dirty dishes in the sink or a laundry hamper over flowing with cloths...babies dont last!

Savannah - posted on 05/28/2009

Hi, Shannon. I have two children as well. My oldest just turned 2 and my second is almost 10 months old. It can be quite a chore to get everything done around the house and take care of the kids at the same time. I find that I get a lot of the Kitchen duties done when the boys are eating lunch or dinner. Naptime definitely makes things hard to go and get things done and I normally plan on outtings after they wake up. I am preggo again so I try to just chill while they are sleeping, but for the most part I manage to get things done throughout the day. 2 years old is old enough to learn to start picking up after yourself and he LOVES to vacuum. (he doesn't do a great job, but still) Luckily for me the house isn't too terribly large so basically just trying to keep up with things throughout the day is the best way for me. My husband is pretty much useless around the house so it's really like having three kids running around. You'll figure your routine out one of these days. Just focus on one thing a day, like the kitchen really good one day, living room and bedrooms the next, bathrooms the next. It does get easier and trust me I know what you are going through because my boys are almost the same age. Don't even get me STARTEd on laundry day! UGH!

Mary - posted on 05/28/2009

Hello, I'm Mary, mommy of a 2 1/2 yr old boy and an 18 month old girl. I know how you feel. Having two munchkins makes life a little crazy. I stay home with them and have always felt like I should be June Cleaver or something and when I fall short (usually way short) I feel like a complete failure! Just remember (and I know how hard it is to remember this!) we are home for our kids not the dishes or laundry or even cooking dinner. My husband and I share the household duties and that seems to work out for us. Our day is up between 6:30 and 7:30 go potty/change diaper, get dressed, get milk and eat breakfast, than either play or get our shoes on to go bye-bye, I really have to get out of the house several days a week or I get a little moody (cabin fever!), play or walk around the store, eat lunch, nap, play, than daddy is home and we eat dinner (which daddy usually cooks or buys), get cleaned up for the night, watch a noggin show, read a few books, sing a few songs, than it's off to bed, and if my hubby and I have anything left in us we spend some time together if not we just veg in bed watching TV. Doesn't sound like much but I think at this stage in our lives we just do what we can do and the rest will have to wait. Things do get easier as your baby get more self reliant, I'm sure things will get easier as the babies get older. Hope things get better! Hang in there, and remember we mama's are better at most things than we think! :o)