When we first brought home our fourth baby my kids were twelve years old, eight, five and our newborn. I was searching for another mothers daily schedule or some sort of routine to implement. Being a Virgo I like to plan ahead!
I needed ideas of what a routine for all these kids could look like. I could only find things on baby and toddler schedules. I thought, once I can figure out a routine that works I am putting it out there to help another mother! I like to see what other families schedules look like then adjust mine accordingly.
So here we are, my baby is now eight months old. I’ve been on this schedule for several months now and it’s working out well for me! I start my day 5:30 am! Before this baby when I only had three kids I would wake up before them but not at 5:30! It has changed everything for the better. I can have my coffee in peace and quiet (usually) and get myself ready for the day before the kids are up and need to be fed! I can even get chores done!
- 5:30 am wakeup have my coffee that started at 5:15 via timer
- put clothes in dryer that I put in the washing machine the night before
- 6:00 am baby wakes up, nurse him then hand him off to husband
- 6:15 am get myself ready
- 6:30 am wake of my tween/teen
- start making breakfast & lunches
- feed baby breakfast
- 7:00 am wake the younger kids
- 7:45 am husband takes oldest to school
- 8:00 am take kids to school, baby naps while driving
- 9:00 am back home or checking the mail, maybe banking, or quick shop at the store.
- 11:00 am baby naps
- 2:30 pm leave to pick kids up from school, baby naps while driving
- 3:45 pm get home, snack then homework
- 4:30 pm start dinner prep
- 6:00 pm dinner
- 7:30 pm baths for the littles (big kids like to shower in the mornings now)
- 8:00 pm bedtime for baby
- 8:30 pm reading & bedtime for kids
- 9:00 pm finish cleaning up kitchen, setup coffee pot for morning, start a load of laundry & get myself ready for bed!
Once You Figure Out What Works For You It’s Life Changing!
So that is the basic outline of my schedule during the week. It varies with the time of year and what the kids have going on after school, but for the most part I try and stick to this schedule.
What really helps keep things running smoothly is my morning and evening routines! Even when I fall asleep while nursing the baby back to sleep (sometimes he wakes up before I get to go to bed) before I finish my evening routine I will drag myself back downstairs to finish! It really does pay off! Now that I embedded these daily rituals into my schedule I find myself enjoying them because I know it makes my life run smoother and intern my whole families life run smoother!
The nice thing is I have quiet time in the morning and at night where I can do some chores in peace and quiet which I love! I use to think, “once we have our fourth baby how will I ever keep up on all the laundry?” Putting a load in every night before bed is so great because by the time the kids are up that load is dry. So if your teen needed a shirt to be washed last minute to wear to school the next day you got it done! Then I don’t have to spend my days squeezing in laundry! I guess laundry can be its own post! LOL!
Anyways, I hope this helps! Whether you’re welcoming in a new baby to your family or you just need to make a change in your schedule its always nice to see what works for another family!
Happy scheduling!
Once you figure out what works best for you it’s life changing!
