following a schedule

[olien]

How much of a schedule do you follow day to day? I dont mean just for bed time. I mean all day. Even if you work, tell me what you do on the weekends.

I have a 31mo DS & 11mo DD. At times (every day ) I feel like 'well what do we do next'. I have heard some people talk about doing this at x time & that at y time. I kind of just go with the flow of the day. I am starting to think we need more structure. Especially since we may home/unschool.

What works for you?

BTW, what the heck is circle time?

[goldenwillow]

Fantastic question... was just coming in here to post the same thing.  Looking forward to responses.

[lucy_v]

I've also been meaning to ask the same thing! DD is 12 months, and bedtime is our only real scheduled thing as well, and I feel the same "uh, what next?" most days. I've tried joining a moms group to get in a regular playgroup, but we keep missing it because of her naps! She is so unpredictable as far as when/how long she'll nap, when and how much she'll eat, and I wonder if it's because she's just (too much) like me---I was never good at structuring my time pre-baby. It's hard learning how now. Sorry I'm no help!

[goldenwillow]

We did the mama/kid groups/LLL meetings for a long time and I just was over it recently.  I am really glad I did it though.... DS is really socialized.  I decided to start hanging with our friends more that have children.  I'd rather spend time with my friends that share my same philosophies that I do instead of trying to explain why I do things as I do.  We now visit 3 families by weekly and that has been awesome.  Also.. the groups had children that I prefer my DS not to hang out with (learning bad behavior).... which is life but this way I can have a handle on who my child hangs with. 

I checked out an old Montessori book that explains how to set up the home for that type of learning.  On page 3. 

Looking forward to hearing more. 

My impression of "circle time" is where a bunch of mamas and kids sit in a circle and focus on a song or a book, etc.... my kid is the one in the middle dancing.  Didn't really work for us.  Most library reading times is structured in this way, at least the ones we have attended. 

[JudiAU]

Nap, meal times, and play time dominate our days with preschool time for the older one thrown in. We also try and get to the park at least once a day (no backyard) or other phyiscal play with one planned art project. We keep our toys organized in the Montessori style so they are easy to access and organize. I usually set up some sort of art supply before I go to bed. Funny how a kid will be drawn to a clean, big sheet of paper like a magnet.

[lellian]

For us, we have the set schedule of night night at 7 pm, up between 6-7, one nap between 11-12 for an hour. Those times don't change unless DD is sick.

For the other scheduled events we go to story time at the library every Wednesday at 11:10.

We do LLL the second Wednesday of the month in the morning.

The afternoon is generally child care at the gym by 3 then home to play, or we skip the gym and do another activity in the afternoons: zoo, aquarium, grandma's house.

As for meeting up with other moms. . .it just doesn't happen because we really stick to our broad schedule. Without it, we'd be a hot mess. She's flexible enough but not a happy camper if her body clock is tampered with!

[Addie]

Wake up, meals, naptime, and bath/bedtime all generally happen at a set time - within thirty/forty-five minutes either way, I'd guess. We usually get out of the house between breakfast and lunch. I'm a SAHM, and I've been able to find an organized activity for DS every morning of the week, between the libraries, JCC, bookstores and indoor play center. Now, that doesn't mean we participate in every activity every day, but I like knowing they are there! After nap, we sometimes run errands, go to the zoo, childcare at the gym, go for a walk to the playground. Back by five-ish to see DH come home from work (and toss DS his way ). Dinner together, bath and bed. Lather, rinse, repeat!

[marispel]

DS goes to DC during the week and they have a structured day, so we try to do the same during the weekends.   We basically start our day around the same time, have breakfast and then a bit of free play.   We try to get out in the morning - to the park, zoo, mall, shopping, pet store, whatever.   Then we get home before noon for a bit of lunch and then nap time.  We try to end nap time around 3pm and then we do a snack and try to get back outside again.  If the weather is yucky then we'll do things inside - coloring, puzzles, riding toys, etc.    Then dinner time around 6, then more free play time and at 7pm he gets to watch one show (Dora).   Then bath at 7:30, bed at 8:00

[mamacolleen]

We have a loose schedule for DD too that works for us.

Up between 6 and 7 (usually closer to 6)

breakfast

free play

out of the house always in the morning (park, drop-in, library, drop-in kindergym, swim class, etc)

back by 11:30 at the latest for lunch

nap (done by 2pm, sometimes 2:30)

depending on the weather, our needs and DD's mood, the afternoon is either hang out at home baking/free play/video or out for errands or out for another outing (usually to the park or just walk up and down the street).

Dinner

after dinner - free play and wild naked time

bedtime routine

she's usually asleep by 8:15

This is the same day whether or not I'm home with her or she's with her DCP or DH.