When you have two (or more) kids there are certain new rules you have to follow.
No one tells you this.
It's a secret club. I think we are all afraid if we tell you the truth then you won't have more kids... and we will be alone in our misery. Labor is like that.
Well here are some pointers on surviving with two kids or more:
1. Once a week, have a "get dressed from the laundry basket" party. Saves on folding. Bonus points if it is the CLEAN laundry basket.
2. Make pancakes. I make a giant batch of pancakes and freeze them and tell myself it is to have delicious, wholesome, healthy hot breakfasts all week..... then we have pancakes for dinner three nights in a row. My kids love Brinner. I love bacon. Win-win.
3. Repetition is your friend. Taco Tuesday is a good thing. We do a series of dinner items over and over. Tacos, followed up by "tortilla pizzas". Chicken tenders/rice. Tapas (What do YOU call leftovers?). Crockpot stuff. Spaghetti (Hot makes it on Thursdays). Noodles of any sort (with jarred white sauce or parmesan or homemade red sauce or just butter). Do I love to cook interesting new meals? Yes. Do I know someday there will be a season for that? Yes. Do I accept the current phase is not that season? Mostly.
4. Lower your standards. All of them. If the kitchen counter is free and clear of papers (even if it is only once a week) you are a winner. Big Win.
5. Streamline everything. And make lists. Ok... that won't always help but streamlining and making lists is just fun.
Showing posts with label schedule. Show all posts
Showing posts with label schedule. Show all posts
Friday, September 13, 2013
Thursday, September 12, 2013
We are FINALLY getting into a Routine.... sort of....
In spite of the weather we have moved to "fall schedule" around here.
Sweet loves to be early to school so he can play with his buddies on the playground. And it works for me because I can get to work earlier.
So it means we need to leave the house about 7:45 and be out the driveway by about 7:50. This makes drop off around 8:00 and I'm to work before 8:15 as long as I'm not in charge of Bugsy and daycare....
Working backwards give us this schedule:
6:00 Alarm One
6:30 Alarm Two I usually try to get up by 6:15 so I have a little dorking around time to unload the dishwasher, stare out the window, fold laundry, drink coffee. If I know it is going to be a balls-to-the-walls morning (BTTWM) I set up the coffee maker on the timer the night before
6:45 The drop-dead latest I can be in the shower. On a good day I also manage to slap a little tinted sunscreen on my face and some eyeliner.
6:50-6:55 Rise-n-shine my little dumplings. With daylight earlier this is easier. I rarely have to threaten a half-cup of frozen marbles in the bed. The kids like to bring their clothes in front of the pellet stove to get dressed once it gets cold. I usually set the 5 minute timer for this or they just dork around. I also try to be dressed before the dinger goes off and have breakfast on the counter. Or we put a playlist on the ipod and they get a song per activity.
7:00 Breakfast. I believe in breakfast. I believe breakfast should have some protein and some fat so it lasts past 10:00am. I've tried making a breakfast schedule. I've tried "Monday Eggs" and "Tuesday Toast" kinds of things.... I struggle with it. I've lowered my standards. If my kids want chicken nuggets or pepperoni hot pockets for breakfast... well, ok. Not perfect, but better than nothing. During breakfast I try to get lunches packed and hair fixed. Sometimes it works. My 7-year-old likes a packed lunch and she likes to do it herself. Sweet.
7:30 Everyone must be brushing their teeth by 7:30. About now I start yelling instructions in groups of 3. "Teeth-Waterbottle-Shoes" or "Snacks-Sweatshirts-Library Books" I try to shove my lunch/work/stuff in a bag and remember my cell phone. Sometimes we sneak in some homework.... spelling words or reading. My kids know if they start unpacking their backpack from the night before at this point I will not be happy. They are so aware of it I don't even have to get mad.... It happens about once a week.
We have this by the door to remind us:
Sweet loves to be early to school so he can play with his buddies on the playground. And it works for me because I can get to work earlier.
So it means we need to leave the house about 7:45 and be out the driveway by about 7:50. This makes drop off around 8:00 and I'm to work before 8:15 as long as I'm not in charge of Bugsy and daycare....
Working backwards give us this schedule:
6:00 Alarm One
6:30 Alarm Two I usually try to get up by 6:15 so I have a little dorking around time to unload the dishwasher, stare out the window, fold laundry, drink coffee. If I know it is going to be a balls-to-the-walls morning (BTTWM) I set up the coffee maker on the timer the night before
6:45 The drop-dead latest I can be in the shower. On a good day I also manage to slap a little tinted sunscreen on my face and some eyeliner.
6:50-6:55 Rise-n-shine my little dumplings. With daylight earlier this is easier. I rarely have to threaten a half-cup of frozen marbles in the bed. The kids like to bring their clothes in front of the pellet stove to get dressed once it gets cold. I usually set the 5 minute timer for this or they just dork around. I also try to be dressed before the dinger goes off and have breakfast on the counter. Or we put a playlist on the ipod and they get a song per activity.
7:00 Breakfast. I believe in breakfast. I believe breakfast should have some protein and some fat so it lasts past 10:00am. I've tried making a breakfast schedule. I've tried "Monday Eggs" and "Tuesday Toast" kinds of things.... I struggle with it. I've lowered my standards. If my kids want chicken nuggets or pepperoni hot pockets for breakfast... well, ok. Not perfect, but better than nothing. During breakfast I try to get lunches packed and hair fixed. Sometimes it works. My 7-year-old likes a packed lunch and she likes to do it herself. Sweet.
7:30 Everyone must be brushing their teeth by 7:30. About now I start yelling instructions in groups of 3. "Teeth-Waterbottle-Shoes" or "Snacks-Sweatshirts-Library Books" I try to shove my lunch/work/stuff in a bag and remember my cell phone. Sometimes we sneak in some homework.... spelling words or reading. My kids know if they start unpacking their backpack from the night before at this point I will not be happy. They are so aware of it I don't even have to get mad.... It happens about once a week.
We have this by the door to remind us:
Morning
Backpack, Water Bottle,
Lunch, Snack,
Homework, Hat, Mittens,
Sweatshirt
Monday: PE Shoes (JN)
Tuesday: Library Books (JN)
Tuesday: PE Shoes (DJ)
Wednesday: Library Books (DJ)
Thursday: PE Shoes (JN & DJ)
Friday: Show-n-Tell (JN)
Friday: Treat Shop
After School
Empty Backpack, Hang up
Gear,
Put away Shoes, Snack,
Homework,
Fun
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