I always feel like I'm trying to do two things at once. I start one project and get interrupted. I'm trying to finish up something quickly while something else is demanding my immediate attention. I scramble at the last minute to do 3 last things before we walk out the front door.
I've been trying a new routine to help me focus. When we have two hours, I spend the first hour with the girls and the second hour getting work done.
The girls can choose one of the following activities:
- do an art project
- go on a bike ride
- play a game
- go to the library
The first day they chose to play a game. We played both the ABC Matching Game and the Numbers 1-25 game. Then they played in their room (mostly) quietly while I finished the dishes and worked on my computer.
The second day they chose to go on a bike ride. It was a beautiful, sunny day. And they just look so irresistible in those helmets. We took the pup, too, and had a great time. When we got back they played quietly in their room for an hour while I vacuumed and sorted the laundry.
I've felt so much less frenzied this week. This system works for us.
What helps you balance time with your kids and the demands of each day?
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17 comments:
That is a GREAT idea! Thanks for sharing!
those pics are to.die.for. love 'em. yeah--i feel a constant pull between be 'productive' and playing. i know in my heart playing IS productive--but sometimes the dishes and mess call to me. we pretty much have to leave the house to play. when we are home, i try to approach work with the attitude that i WILL be interrupted (probably frequently) so it is less frustrating. love your idea of focused time for work, focused time for play. love you!
Wow, isn't that the part of mothering that we all struggle with. I don't really have a system. Some days it just works and some days the house really suffers. I love those days when you feel like you had real quality time with the kids and some how the house looks nice and dinner is on time. Why can't I duplicate that on a regular basis. Maybe I'll try your idea.
I have a schedule each day and incorporated in my day I schedule time for work/chore and time with the girls. If I am supposed to be doing laundry at 9:30 and a craft with the girls at 10 I am able to hold myself to accountable and use my time more wisely.
I love your blog! What kind of camera do you have? the pictures are fantastic and I'm looking into buying a new cameara.
That sounds like a great idea. And I think it helps instill in our children that there are jobs to be done as well. I know that I struggle with being productive when the kids are beggin, and often say later - then never get to it. Wow - what am I teaching them.
Maybe we'll try a version of what you've created. I also find that when i do have time, i tend to be a little wasteful with it. Maybe this way, I'll learn to use my time wisely as well!
Thanks again for a great idea. Also wondering if you enhance your photos before posting. Is there some sort of finish that you are adding? Very nice!
~Kate
I really love this idea. It's so simple yet, I've never thought of something like this. DUH! Most of the time my house just suffers but that doesn't always mean I'm playing with my kids either. I really need to remember what's important. Thanks for the idea!
I try to leave my "getting stuff done" time to either during my baby's nap time or after they go to bed. That being said, they usually have some time when they just like to play by themselves and I get things done than also. When I am with them, though, I am totally with them. I try to make sure of that.
You are right! Multitasking is over-rated, if not completely a myth. I like this idea, often there are days when I feel like I don't have enough kid time or productive time, this way I'd at least have an hour of each.
You really do get to realize, it's all about decisions. Will your kids remember the house was a mess when they're old? Or will they remember that their mom played with them a LOT! It can NOT get all done. Now that's not to say we can't try, we can, but after you've tried, and most likely failed at it all you think over, "what is really important?". The kids, time with them, teaching them, loving on them, modeling for them good behaviour and really enjoying yourself all the while. That is what memories are made of.
For us, homeschooling four boys and managing a big home, chickens and a few fur pets, I had to decide between the house, and the play/education. I chose the latter. Yes the house is a wreck a lot of the time, and it does call to me. But I know that I have been the "Mary" and not the "Martha" and I have chosen the relationship over the chores. The boys pitch in and help out, I have a laundry boy, a dishes boy, a folding clothes boy(actually the little two) and dole out the chicken/fur pet chores, and yard pick up as well. I wash dishes, make food, sweep and vacuum and teach, love, laugh, read to, play with and really do enjoy my time with them. I am assured they will NOT remember the mess, they will remember the rest.
Paige
When did my husband start a blog?
That's supposed to be me "Paige" up there, not Benjamin...
P~
I really appreciate all the thoughtful comments you guys have left. Truth be told, I often get WAY to preoccupied with having a clean house and getting all my stuff done. I want to let all that go a bit, and just "be." Just play or talk or cuddle or create. It's something I really need to keep working on!
In response to the photo questions, I use a Nikon D40 that my husband got me for Christmas. LOVE it! I also use Picnik.com to edit my photos. I crop them, sometimes change the exposure a bit, and use "Cross Processing" under the effects tab. Check out the site. It's amazing and free.
This can be such a challenge! Good for you coming up with a system that is helping!
Thanks for the tip! Great ideas! My 3-year-old loves to sit at the counter on a chair and play with play doh or draw while I work in the kitchen. Keeps him occupied for a good half hour!
I love reading your blog and all the great ideas I've got from it.
similar to how you balance, this is how we do it. my daughter (4) loves to know what we are doing that day and what comes next. I have little magnets of our different activities(reading, craft, snack, etc...). We put the magnets up on the frig in their order. She knows which things we do together, and which ones she does by herself... that's my time to do stuff.
That's a great idea! I love the idea of planning focused, intentional time with my kids into my day - not "distracted" time, but "super concentrated" time.
Thanks for this post.
This is a great idea. I have a hard time finding balance as I always want to play with my daughter, but I know other stuff needs to get done too. The hard part is that when I'm around, she wants to be playing with me no matter what. I've been looking for ways to encourage her to play with me a little, but then also to be by herself a little.
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