When I left teaching and entered the world of being a stay at home mom, I felt a little directionless. I was constantly missing the predictable schedule of my classroom. While newborns and toddlers do not stick to schedules, I have found some daily rhythms and routines that work for us. Once I feel fall coming, I can’t help but go into full blown scheduling and planning mode. Here’s some guidelines on how I craft my fall schedule now that I’m at home with littles!
Daily Planning- Rhythms Over Schedules
As mentioned previously, little people do not stick to schedules. I’m sure you’ve had the all too familiar battle with a toddler trying to hurry them to put their shoes on to get out the door. You’re already running late and now you’re wrestling an alligator to get where you’re going (please don’t tell me that’s just me). Kids simply do not care about timeliness and trying to hurry them usually backfires. With that in mind, I mostly throw out exact times when planning our days and stick to a general rhythm.
- Wake Up
- Breakfast
- Morning Chores
- Care Tasks and Get Dressed
- Morning Walk
- Play/ Outing
- Lunch
- Nap
- Screen time
- Snack
- Play/ Outing
- Dinner
- Evening Chore
- Bath
- Bed
Obviously, there are some days with appointments, playdates, story times, and activities that require us to add specific times to our day. In my ideal world, I keep lunch and nap as our only anchors with a time attached. This is for mine and my kids’ sanity. Then, it is our daily rhythm that gives shape to our weekly rhythm.
Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne is the book that helped shape our daily rhythm and helped me lean into a simpler pace and plan for our days.
Weekly Planning- Block Scheduling
DISCLAMIER- Whenever I see moms share their pretty schedules and plans it can be discouraging. I can be tempted to think they must perfectly execute these plans each and every week. Maybe that’s the case for some but that is NOT me. See this as a nice guideline. On most weeks, these guidelines are followed 70% of the time. There are weeks where 0% of my plans happen and that’s okay too.
I use this block scheduling to give shape to our plans for the week. Our two morning chores are unloading the dishwasher and a load of laundry. Then, our three activity blocks change week to week, but our evening chore stays the same.
Holding Days Loosely
I’m naturally someone who would want to overschedule my days and weeks. To shove as much stuff in as possible and always be on the go. I’ve discovered in this season, it is a gift to myself and my kids to slow down, let go of some expectations, and hold our days loosely. While I will always keep planning, I will try to do so with lots of room for grace. Read here for more scheduling tips.
