Okay, SAHMs, advice needed

ironmom5 · May 2013

Once we get back from vacation, I will be starting a new job with an odd little schedule. I'll be working mostly noon-9's, and my two days off will be during the week (they are now, too, but sporadically and unpredictable if I'll even be off). Obviously, I'll still be a working mom, but l've been feeling like things are different on the weekdays than weekends. For one, FI won't be home. Two, my normal weekend activities aren't in place on a Tuesday and Thursday.

So, what does your typical day look like? What do you do when you're home all day? How have you found things to do out of the house?

I'm not asking in a "Do you just sit on your butt all day" way, I'm legitimately curious how you structure your day. Since I'm still working full time, I want to avoid the temptation of spacing out watching Maury like I did on ML.

TIA!

persephonerose · May 2013

We have several libraries close by and they each do story times on different days and at different hours. So I can hit books and babies twice a week, and all ages story hour at least once if I wanted. Several of our locally owned book stores also host a story hour, one does a really fun baby sign language session every other week.

Do you have a children's museum? On Monday's mornings our is open only to the 3 and under crowd for baby bloomer club. Here is it 4.00 per adult, and 2.00 for D.

Is it warm now where you are ? We have several parks and free "splash pads".

karenh773 · May 2013

I'm pregnant with #7 and have 3 preschool aged kids home with me all day, so it's probably a different situation than you.

I get up, get kids ready for school and out to school, then I usually start some laundry, we read books, do playdoh, do crafty things, etc, they might watch curious george while I get a shower. If we have errands to run (like grocery or library to hitting up target we'll do that), come home play outside, eat lunch and then everyone's down for a nap or quiet time from 12:30-2:30/3. Now that I'm pregnant I'll try to take a mini nap in there. Then I get up, get a snack ready for after school, start dinner prep, finish up any chores, load up the van (waking little people if necessary), go get the kids from school, do snack, help with homework, send people outside to play, get people ready for games or practices, usually pack up dinner to head off to some type of sports field, come home do baths and put people to bed and after everyone's in bed make sure the house is in order (I usually have the kids make sure everything is picked up before bed).

Some days we don't have errands we go to playgrounds or will meet up with friends. Some days we have commitments up at school and will go help with lunch duty.

When I just had 1 at home it looked totally different! I hung out with my mom a lot or met up with friends at the mall for lunch and playing at the play space there. I'd meet my husband once a week for lunch too.

ironmom5 · May 2013

karenh773:

I'm pregnant with #7 and have 3 preschool aged kids home with me all day, so it's probably a different situation than you.

I get up, get kids ready for school and out to school, then I usually start some laundry, we read books, do playdoh, do crafty things, etc, they might watch curious george while I get a shower. If we have errands to run (like grocery or library to hitting up target we'll do that), come home play outside, eat lunch and then everyone's down for a nap or quiet time from 12:30-2:30/3. Now that I'm pregnant I'll try to take a mini nap in there. Then I get up, get a snack ready for after school, start dinner prep, finish up any chores, load up the van (waking little people if necessary), go get the kids from school, do snack, help with homework, send people outside to play, get people ready for games or practices, usually pack up dinner to head off to some type of sports field, come home do baths and put people to bed and after everyone's in bed make sure the house is in order (I usually have the kids make sure everything is picked up before bed).

Some days we don't have errands we go to playgrounds or will meet up with friends. Some days we have commitments up at school and will go help with lunch duty.

When I just had 1 at home it looked totally different! I hung out with my mom a lot or met up with friends at the mall for lunch and playing at the play space there. I'd meet my husband once a week for lunch too.

You have more children than Bird's entire daycare class. I must know more. I'm still on man-to-man, you seem like you have zone defense down to a science.

ironmom5 · May 2013

persephonerose:
We have several libraries close by and they each do story times on different days and at different hours. So I can hit books and babies twice a week, and all ages story hour at least once if I wanted. Several of our locally owned book stores also host a story hour, one does a really fun baby sign language session every other week.
Do you have a children's museum? On Monday's mornings our is open only to the 3 and under crowd for baby bloomer club. Here is it 4.00 per adult, and 2.00 for D.
Is it warm now where you are ? We have several parks and free "splash pads".

No splash pads here, since it's only warm a few months of the year, but I love the library idea. I just have to find ones that are still open.

kjmommy1214 · May 2013

K and I like to play with toys in the morning until naptime (this is usually her long one). While she is sleeping, I will spruce up the house and do laundry, if needed. When she wakes up, we go outside for the mail and usually a short walk. We eat lunch at home with DH (he only works a half mile away). After lunch, weather pending, we will go outside and play with the dog. During her afternoon nap, I begin dinner prep, any left over cleaning, folding laundry, or a cat nap for myself. We are getting a little pool that she can sit in and play for the warmer weather. We will go to the park this summer. We also have many free museums and an art gallery to which we will be going.

kerrigrooves · May 2013

JKVogt:
K and I like to play with toys in the morning until naptime (this is usually her long one). While she is sleeping, I will spruce up the house and do laundry, if needed. When she wakes up, we go outside for the mail and usually a short walk. We eat lunch at home with DH (he only works a half mile away). After lunch, weather pending, we will go outside and play with the dog. During her afternoon nap, I begin dinner prep, any left over cleaning, folding laundry, or a cat nap for myself. We are getting a little pool that she can sit in and play for the warmer weather. We will go to the park this summer. We also have many free museums and an art gallery to which we will be going.

sounds like my day but I have 12 hrs of part time work to do online so I spend her morning nap drinking my coffee and doing a little work.

jennygirlmt · May 2013

I'm bad with routine but as far as activities, there are a dozen libraries around us with different styles of activitiesmusic, reading, crafts, Etc. Barnes and noble has a train table and a story time but I do that for my 3yr old. Also for the 3yr old is a church that has a huge play place for free and a coffee shop. I also have a moms group who meets once a week. Add in the park and walks and we do something each day mixed with naps, meals, quiet play and nursing/DVR ;

persephonerose · May 2013

ironmom5:

No splash pads here, since it's only warm a few months of the year, but I love the library idea. I just have to find ones that are still open.

I only realized now that I didn't really answer your question entirely. Sorry about that.

I try to do at least two- three outings a week. It keeps me sane. I love story time at the library because they generally allow for a little bit of social/play time afterwards and for our age group they keep it short about 30-45 minutes depending on how the babies are acting.

If I am staying at home I generally set two or three personal goals for the day. Today's are 1) Finish reading my chapters for class 2) Do all the dishes 3) Go for a walk. And then I set 2 goals for play time with D. Today was 1) Tummy time (I've been slacking on it lately since he hates to lay down now). 2) Play time outside on a blanket (just introduce him to different sights/sounds.)

Small goals help me feel accomplished at the end of the day!

Jenner37 · May 2013

I will admit I watch a lot of TV, usually while doing things (pumping, folding laundry, cleaning up). My day revolves around her 3 naps unless I think I can be something done while she sleeps in he carseat. We take an hour long walk with the dogs every day, play, read and just talk (she is a huge gossiper )

We are starting swim lessons next week which will be one day a week, we also are starting story time at Barnes and noble on day a week, I meet up at the park with my girlfriend and her babes and if we have nothing to do we usually just walk around the mall or target. I try to get out every day, aside from just a walk for my sanity. She loves to people watch too so that helps when we walk around.

credcat7 · May 2013

I'm amazed at how quickly her needs and desire change, last week she was GREAT playing on the floor and using her jumper.. this week they bore her.

Yesterday she got completely bored and I was tired/crampy so I stuck her in the high chair, filled the tray with water and let her go at it while I cleaned the kitchen

I try to be two steps ahead of her so I can change her scene quickly, back yard, front yard, stroller walk

I found a nice 2 mile walk I love ... try to do that early morning or right at her nap time

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Okay, SAHMs, advice needed

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