Our At-home Schedule While Social Distancing

First, I am not a parenting expert. However, I am an expert in what works best at our home. I am the manager of positive and negative energy, which simply means if I’m not happy, the house isn’t happy.

Establishing a routine that allows for flexibility, chill out zones and ridiculous fun is essential. I am the type of mother who gleefully throws her kids up in the air, will wrestle & loves pillow fights on my bed. I am also a woman who needs time to write, read and workout. All of which happens most days.

First, let me share again what helps me stay motivated and happy as a mom, it’s what I call the “Magic of Three.” It’s a simple way to help prioritize my day. I pick 3 MUST ACCOMPLISH tasks, and make sure that those 3 things get done before my day ends. Here’s an example: 1. Fold & Sort Laundry 2. Workout 3. Drop off Water Bill

These tasks might not seem huge BUT the point is to not focus on your HUGE to-do list. Instead it allows you to check things off each day and then let the rest go. If you have time to accomplish more, great but that’s extra. Celebrate those 3 “done” things.

I start my week off with a huge brain dump of all that I need to accomplish. From there, I pick my 3 top tasks the night before a new day. Try it and let me know what you think. You get a free template sent to your inbox when you subscribe to my blog (HINT HINT).

I want to note that before COVID-19 restrictions, Nolan attended preschool three days a week from 9am - 12pm. On some days he’d attend Lunch Bunch until 1:30pm. I loved having him in preschool because it gave me a chance to have “me time.” My youngest napped at home with me during those preschool days. It was an adjustment filling in the education and socialization Nolan is now missing. With much trial and error, we have a routine that seems to be working.

Here’s our current schedule during this time:

The Schedule: (my tasks are italicized)

7 am: Boys wake up

8 am: Breakfast, Nolan watches a PBS show

9 am: Austin Naps, workout, ABC Mouse, shower

10am -11 am: Craft/ Game/ Read Aloud

11 am-12 pm: Lunch/Drive to Chick-fil-A and have back seat picnic

1pm-2pm: Austin Naps, Free Play, Workbook, blog/read/household tasks

2pm: Outdoor Play, Baths

3pm: Cosmic Kids Yoga

4pm-5pm: Free Play/Movie, make dinner

5:30-6:30 pm: Eat dinner, Austin goes to bed

6:30 pm - 7pm: Free play, outdoor play with dad

7pm-7:30pm: Nolan’s Bedtime Routine (potty, brush teeth, read 2 books, pray, night lights on)

7:30pm-9:30 pm: Parent Time (puzzles, read, blog/IG, watch a show)

10pm: Parents go to bed

*For Craft ideas: I look on Pinterest, my mom sends me random ideas, or Busytoddler.com

*Things we’ve done recently: Lunch bag puppets, Make your own pirate Map/ Ogre Hunt, Puzzles, Play Doh for letter making, Watercolor Art, Alphabet Studying, Themed days for dress up & learning