Reader Marilyn asks, “I am struggling to set some kind of schedule for my family. I’m new to the SAHM thing (I went back to work after my son was 5 months) and have a 5- month- old and a 3- year- old who is now at home with me. ![]() I’d love any tips on balancing the bedtimes, eating, naps and various activities of two different- aged kids.”I had a five- month- old and a three- year- old at this time a year ago, but no matter the ages, I think it’s always a struggle to juggle multiple kids throughout the day. The key is to just plan something. Just because your schedule worked well last week, it doesn’t mean it will this week. An Inheritance of Ashes. Winner, Prix Aurora Awards, 2016; Winner, Sunburst Award, Young Adult category, 2016; Winner, Copper Cylinder Award, 2016. The newest videos added to our system. Check this page as often as you can. ![]() ![]()
Marilyn, you specifically asked me about handling little ones. Along with the suggestion above – it’s okay for kids to learn that Mom has a job, and she can’t play all the time. Out of a ten- item to- do list, identify your three Most Important Tasks, and focus your energy on those. Work on those when your energy is at your highest, and if you accomplish anything else – well, those are just gravy. Photo by Jason Rogers. Have a brain dump at least once during the day – transfer everything swimming around in your head on to paper. You probably have a general rhythm of doing repeated things each day, week, and month, and you might not notice it. Speaking of – find a good system for maintaining your schedule, whether it’s using a manual Home Management Notebook or a digital calendar like Google Calendar (I happen to use both). I’ve read some rumors on the internet that I can do everything. Don’t blow these off – little kids need lots of sleep, slightly older kids need to learn the value of alone time, and mama needs a break to do grown- up work. Okay, I’m telling myself this as much as you, because it really is hard to accept the fact that most kids don’t care about the messes as much as you’d like. Are you a morning, afternoon, or evening person? Don’t apologize for keeping a thorough work routine. Right along with that, schedule in down time, and make it really good down time. Finally, don’t forget to take care of yourself.
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December 2016
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