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Event Calendar

Last post made 7.28.2009 (7:24 PM) by Lisa Q. 14 replies.
  • Heather (1,897 posts) ::5.27.2009 (3:48 PM)

    For those of you moms that are staying home with your kids or will be home in the summer, what's your day like?

    Do you have a set schedule? A general "plan" you folllow? Certain things you do certain days?

    I'm at home now three days/week with the kids and I'm trying to get in the groove. Wondering how you all do it.

     

    Heather*
    General Manager
    PittsburghMom.com

  • nicki2222usa (126 posts) ::5.27.2009 (4:10 PM)

    We just follow a general plan...we try to get out and do stuff like Phipps or a park.  Then there are always errands and shopping.

    We do lots of play doh/arts and crafts/drawing.

    Outside is good too....popsicles!

    Now we have soccer to look forward to on Thurs. nights!

    I try not to do too much.  The school year is busy enough and the summer is a fun time.

    For my 5 year old I pick some themes to study/research...this year he wants to do rockets and some other stuff.  We go to the library and get books, do a coordinating craft, and other things related to the theme.  That's the teacher in me!

  • Lisa Q (299 posts) ::5.28.2009 (8:35 AM)

    I don't schedule too much in the summer, and I have a VERY general plan for each day that is pretty flexible.  That being said, this year I have signed the kids up for a couple of activities so I guess we will have a bit more of a schedule than in the past.  We have one karate class a week and 2 library classes a week.  We'll also be signing up for our library summer reading program, but that doesn't involve any more classes than what we've already signed up for.  Otherwise, we have a bunch of activities planned throughout the summer that aren't recurring.  (That reminds me, South Park has an outdoor children's theater that you might want to check out.  It costs $2.00 per person - child or adult.  Snacks at intermission are a quarter.  They have morning and evening performances.  http://www.southparktheatre.com/ )

    Here is how our day generally works....I wake before the kids to enjoy my computer time and start cleaning.  The kids are usually up at 8:00.  I have a first-thing-in-the-morning routine for them that I rarely budge from (potty, dress, breakfast, teeth), otherwise I have difficulty getting them ready for the day.  If I have to run errands I like to try to get out of the house before 10 when the crowds are smaller, the temps are lower, the kids are more cooperative, and I still have energy.  Otherwise, we have a lot of morning playtime.  Lunch is around 12:00 with naptime around 1:00.  I've been playing with discontinuing naptime, but the kids get cranky as evening approaches and I need time to clean, recharge, etc.  A new addition to our routine is that while I get dinner ready I am going to mandate the kids have a daily clean up period - the house is a mess and they are capable of putting most of their own things away with little direction.  Bedtime routine starts around 7:00 with bath, snack, potty, and bedtime at 8:00.  School is over for my kids so I've tried letting them stay up later, but their internal clocks are rebelling.

    I do have a cleaning routine that I strayed from and need to get back on track.  I assigned a room (or two smaller rooms) to each day of the week.  I concentrate on those rooms on their days but also aim do a 5-10 minute clean up of other rooms so they don't get too bad.  As needed I throw a load of laundry in the washer at breakfast time, lunch time, dinner time - times when I am ususally at home.  I also have days of the month that have certain tasks - a day for filing paperwork, shredding paperwork, etc. This system works for me because I have little block of time in which to get things done.  It also keeps me from feeling overwhelmed.

    Two lifesavers...1) Playdoh and crafts that the kids can do independently are a lifesaver when I need to get work done or the weather keeps us inside.  My kids will entertain themselves for a couple hours with crafts so I always have some on hand.  2) I have one calendar to schedule my life - activities, appts, birthdays, etc.  I have a second calendar to schedule cleaning/tasks.  It helps me remember my goals and stay on track.

    Happy summer!

  • cararolinson (21 posts) ::5.28.2009 (3:44 PM)

    We have the basics down pat, our wake-up, eating, naps and bedtime are all on a schedule.  In addition to that, i plan playdates fairly often, usually one a week although it sometimes works out to be 3 in one week although i never do them on consecutive days.  we do coloring, playdoh and sidewalk chalk.  walks around the neighborhood, older one walks and little guy rides.  i'm trying to "train" older brother how to walk and not have to hold my hand.  he's getting much better at keeping up and not running off.  we do park visits but that's usually only with daddy or a grandparent too, both boys are really close in age and it's hard for one person to keep an eye on them both while keeping both of them safe...

    we will run errands some days and have picnics on the deck too.  in general, being outside has helped tremendously. 

    we also have a zoo membership.  i have one mom friend with boys close in age to mine, we do that quite often together.  i also take them myself on occasion.

    i do make sure that we have planned time "in" where we don't leave the house at least once a week.  usually the kids are completely crabby and worn out if i keep them on the go for more than 4 days straight. 

     

     

  • mommioffour (7 posts) ::5.29.2009 (2:21 PM)

    hello im new to this site and would like to offer an activity for the day. i have very small family owned cafe we have sandwiches and hot dogs all esspressos and ice cream lots of flavors and also softserve. come and lets make a meet. its in verona pa 15147 the rosedale section

  • Heather (1,897 posts) ::5.29.2009 (3:24 PM)

    mommioffour - that sounds great! What exactly is it called?

     

    Heather*
    General Manager
    PittsburghMom.com

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