Preschool around here starts back after Labor Day… which is only a little over a week away! What the heck?! That week things will really kick into high gear for us. The girls will be alternating days at half-day preschool. I’ll be starting homeschool. Soccer and ballet both start that week as well. While I’m very conscious about trying to not over-schedule our days, inevitably things will be busier.
I’ve been doing a lot of rearranging in my head of what our weeks will look like. Per usual for everyone, each day will look different. I’ll have one on one time with the girls on alternating days. Ballet and soccer will both be on the same day, causing it to be NUTS. But still, I’ve been combing things over to get an idea of what a fall schedule weekday will look like.
I’m taking a cue from Sarah and her idea to write down what an ideal day looks like. I think it is a great exercise in organization and setting intention. I often fall asleep a night combing over the next day’s order of events. Knowing what to expect creates a peace in my mind so I can move smoothly (as one can do with two small children) through the day. So with that in mind, forgive me as I use this space as a personal journal and scribble down what I view to be an ideal day during this next season.
5:30 am: Rise and shine! Head straight to the computer to blog.
6:45 am: Eat my breakfast and put on workout clothes.
7:00 am: Get the girls up, help them get dressed, hair brushed, etc.
7:20 am: Breakfast for the girls, brush teeth, get in the car.
8:00 am: Burn Bootcamp then drop whichever child has preschool that day.
9:15 am: Shower, get dressed, get tea.
9:45 am: Homeschool. This will be a different activity every day.
11:30 am: Be done with homeschool and prepare lunches.
12:00 pm: Pick other child up from school. Come home to eat lunch.
1:00 pm: Nap/quiet time. Pick your poison. I’ll do computer work, prep dinner, do laundry.
2:00 pm: Usually it’s just Hailey up, so this will be our reading hour. We’ll read together some and separately some.
3:00 pm: Kaitlyn is often up around now on days she naps, but takes a few minutes to wake up.
3:30 pm: Afternoon activity of choice. Bike riding, a play date with friends, run errands, library, etc.
5:30 pm: Finish up cooking dinner.
5:45 pm: Girls eat dinner. I’m going to try and start eating with them this year. Clean up kitchen.
6:20 pm: Help the girls pick out the next day’s outfit.
6:30 pm: Bath time.
6:50 pm: Read books in jammies.
7:10 pm: Both in bed.
7:15 pm: Finish cleaning up the kitchen and set aside David’s plate, or sit with him while he has dinner. Chat about the days.
7:45 pm: Down time! Clean up, finish up tasks, watch TV, read, play Scrabble, drink wine- most importantly just hang out with David.
9:30 pm: Wash up.
10:00 pm: Lights out- zzz.
Things I’ll need to accomplish to make this a reality:
- Meal planning. Always my go-to for calm and order. Knowing what I’ll be grabbing for lunches and making for dinner will be a huge help.
- Meal prep- especially breakfast. I rarely make the 8:00 Burn Bootcamp class because it’s just too rushed of a morning. I enjoy leisurely breakfasts, but if I’m going to maintain my fitness, I’ll have to make the 8:00 am class a priority. This means quick breakfasts.
- Lesson planning. I really want our homeschool hours to be fun and engaging. To accomplish this, I’ll need to know what we’ll be “studying” each week and have my plan laid out.
- Bringing the girls in on everything. Knowing what to expect in a day doesn’t just help me, it helps the girls. I’m thinking of creating some charts to let them visually see what the day will bring and be able to check off tasks as we move through the day. I see this really appealing to them!
- Wine. My evenings will be for enjoying a glass of wine and being present with David. During this physically taxing phase of life with little ones, it’s really important to me that he knows our marriage comes first. I’m not always great at doing this (I often feel DONE by the end of the day) but having time to sip a glass of pinot, chat, and reconnect in the evenings is vitally important to me.
My organization nerd side is squealing with delight over having this all planned out. Sure, I’m aware that not everyday is going to go this picture perfect, but know what I want a day to look like is the first step towards making it happen. Though I’m not ready to say goodbye to all the ripe tomatoes just yet, I’m super excited for what the fall season will be bringing!
How does your daily schedule change as summer turns to fall?
Do you like to plan out your days or prefer to go with the flow?
John J. says
One’s calendar display’s one’s priorities. Congrats on putting your marriage first, then kids, and whatever after that. You do it so well – an inspiration and instruction manual for others to follow. Keep walkin’ your talk!
Linda says
I’ve discovered your blog through the links in your comments on Brittany’s posts. Obviously, I lOVE Brittany’s blog as I am a regular reader. I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your blog as well.
John J. says
Thanks, Linda! I welcome your critiques and suggestions. I have written over 600 articles, mostly about romantic relationships, family and parenting. drstathas.googlepages.com is my web site.
Jenn says
Oh I am struggling this week!! I like the idea of writing out your day and showing it to the kids, I need to try this. Mine started kinder this week (which I’m still crying about) and we have all been just thrown a loop! I realize it’s only the first week so I hope everything starts to get better. I plan on trying to prepare my 4 year old for school because I’ve never really worked with her all the attention was focused on the oldest one. But haven’t had a chance this week. I had yesterday planned to go grocery store and a few more errands, but a friend calls and says it’s free breakfast at chickfila! I mean, who passes that up, lol. So 2 hours later I leave with a super fussy 2 year old and the grocery store goes out the window!
I’m torn because I really want to homeschool, but so far he loves it and has been so excited about going forever. He was so sad he couldn’t go last year. But I miss him, haha! But I don’t think I could devote the time I need to right now with 3 other little ones as well. Maybe when they all get a little older. Who knows, by that time maybe I will like them going to school. Ramble over, lol
Brittany Dixon says
I love a good ramble since it’s how my mind operates most of the time 😉 I think it’s great to keep some spontaneity in the day (free breakfast!) but I know myself and try to stay on top of things as much as I can for my own sanity/peace of mind. Ramble on anytime!
sherry says
You are an inspiration and full of energy!
Brittany Dixon says
I get it from my mama 🙂
SHU says
I love everything about this post!!! I al going to try to eat with kids more next year too. If I were not working outside the home I think I would want a schedule exactly like yours. Beautiful!
Brittany Dixon says
That means a lot coming from you 🙂 Now if only you could come write it down for me in your pretty penmanship and colorful pens!
julia says
Thanks for sharing this! Side question that I am curious about your opinion on–do you think if your kids shared a room when they were smaller (say 6 months and 2 years old) that it would have been a disaster? We are likely going to need to do this, and I’m anxious about it.
Brittany Dixon says
So tough to tell! I do have friends that had their kids share a room from early on and it worked out quite well. I’m sure there will be a bit of an adjustment period, as with anything, but I think there are a lot of positives to room sharing as well. Wish I had some real insight to share, but we haven’t done it. We might soon though, as our girls keep asking to sleep in the same room. Good luck!
Ashlee says
I’m a planner times 100 too and just reading this organization makes me excited FOR you! I don’t have kids in the mix so it’s a bit easier for me but I do the same thing with my scheduling.. Even on weekends! Weird but I love it 🙂 my goal is to eat dinner w my husband at the table instead of haphazardly throwing things together and eating in front of the tv!!
Brynn says
My planner is life. I find days without a game plan can get away from me and we all end up feeling a bit off and unaccomplished (weekend days don’t count!). Mitch does well with some structure as well. My struggle is dinner. As a working mom, it is hard to be home before 6:30/7, so I am always rushing to squeeze in time with Mitch and have family time as well.
gena @ sober life victory says
I love the idea of writing out the schedule. Both my kids will be in elementary school this year and we are having a nanny pick them up for a first time so that they can get more down time prior to the evening activities. This will really help with structure for us. Thanks!
Brittany Dixon says
Oh that sounds like a promising set up! I’m excited for you!
Emily says
Wow! I admire your ambition. How do you accomplish leaving for an afternoon activity at 330 and then having dinner Ready 2 hours later? I feel like whenever I leave the house it takes us hours just to get back home…
I am definitely inspired by this post to wrote a little “ideal day” for my maternity leave coming up! (pre baby but with our two older kiddos)
Brittany Dixon says
I do most meal prep during the girls quiet time, so it usually only takes about 15 minutes to throw together (we eat pretty simple meals during the week). Eating anytime between 5:30/6 usually works well for us! I save fancier recipes for weekends 😉
Plus we live in suburbia so errands and friends houses are close by (all within 15 minutes) so it’s easy to visit and get home in time for dinner.
And congrats on upcoming maternity leave- so exciting!!
Janna Walker says
This post just gave me so much motivation!!!
Julie says
Your schedule looks great! And how awesome that you arranged it so the girls have pre-school on alternating days, & you will have one-on-one time w/ each of them. I think it’s going to be fantastic!
Kate says
Such an inspiring post! That’s such a great idea to think about how an ideal day should look like.
I just have to make sure that my planner side doesn’t get too carried away. I have started to plan in two rounds: after I have written down my to dos, I force myself to go over them again and edit them down. I always tend to plan way too much…
And I toally agree, prepping is really essential for my day, too.
Tiffany @ Pop and Banter says
I love this! I’m transitioning from working a corporate job to working on my own projects from home and I just did this (in excel because I’m a crazy planner). I’m trying to be conscious of family time and making time to cook dinners/eat healthy and I know I need to plan for success instead of thinking it will just magically happen!
Brittany Dixon says
Congrats on switching to doing your own projects from home- that sounds exciting!! And yes, love what you said about planning for success. I completely agree!
Glenda says
I love this post. I have a 3 1/2 year old and an 8 week old and am still figuring out how to balance our days. I am more of a planner than I ever used to be and really like this idea of setting up the day ahead of time. My 3 1/2 year old also really benefits from knowing what the plan is 😊 I also really like that you included time for wine and catching up with your husband at the end of the day. By the time my boys are in bed I often fee “done” too, but u always appreciate having time to decompress with my hubby before bed.
Thanks for this post
Jessica says
I highly recommend baked oatmeal (stuffed with berries or apples) or a veggie filled frittata for a quick breakfast. Both keep well in the fridge and are just as delicious reheated!
Brittany Dixon says
Great suggestions- thank you!!
Tanya Kummerow says
You’ve inspired me. I want to do this too. Our days still have so many variables though! But I love knowing what the plan is, and so does Eleanor! I also love that you have included wine in your list of requirements to stay sane!
Danielle @ Wild Coast Tales says
I love the idea of doing this and especially going the next step of planning out what is required to make it happen! I have been like my life is off-balance (oh that famous term! haha) lately but this seems like a good way to reevaluate things. I love to plan out my days!