Any Suggestions on a Daily Routine for Newly Back at Home Mom After Layoff~

Hello A.,

Sorry to hear about your job loss. Try and keep the same morning routine. think about what you've been wanting to improve for the past few months...for example a more relaxed dinner time and see what you can do about it. schedule your doctors and dentist appointments (most moms don't have time to schedule those in) fine-tune your after school schedule and see what you can do during the week that may get you more free time in the weekend to enjoy it with your family. Good luck! ~C.~

I do not have a set schedule every day but we do have a basic routine. I have a two year old little girl and she is in mothers day out on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9-2. On those days I go to the gym, run errands and meet friends for lunch. I am also a Sales Director for Mary Kay Cosmetics and love it, so on those days I also schedule facials. On Tuesdays we stay home and I do laundry. We walk and go to our neighborhood park and some Tuesdays we go to a neat bounce place during toddle time, and that is very inexpensive. Then on Thursdays we do a Little Gym Class together and it is a lot of fun. We also walk every day and go to our neighborhood park. She takes a nap every day around 12 or 12:30 and that is time that I am on the computer working or catching up on tv. I hope this helps and I would love to also give you info about my business because I used to be a school teacher and have now done this for the past four years from home and do really well. My team of over 30 women are moms like us and it is a great positive and supportive group of women from so many different prior professions. Check out my website at wwww.marykay.com/mbarow4 for info on the company.

Drop the older child at school and find a mall that is open. Take the little one in the stroller an get in a good work out walking for 30-40 minutes. The little one can play with toys in the stroller or eat something healthy. If you can recruit a friend with another small child all the better. Afterwards you can have a cup of coffee while the kids play in play area... or Head to the park if it is a nice day for awhile and get home in time for a lunch and a nap. Before you know it - time to pick up the older child. Now he can bring a friend home once in awhile and you can foster friendships so that sometimes he can go to their houses. At the risk of sounding like a throw back to the 50's you will have a little more time to make healthy dinners, but........don't be afraid to ask hubby for help when he gets home. You are still busy and it is tiring.

Do you like to craft? Photography? Write? Save a little time for yourself and what you like while the little one is napping.

I have a home business selling health and wellness products. If something like that would interest you contact me and I will send you more info.

Enjoy! The years do fly by.

I see this as a great opportunity for you to volunteer at your son's school. The school needs good volunteers, you can meet other moms and "network", you meet your sons friends.

As for the schedule, I have a 14 yr old. We are up by 7, I usually shower right after I take her to school at 8:15. I do volunteer work at the schools, run errands, clean house and cook dinner while she is gone. It is the afterschool that keeps me running with cheer practice, orchestra, and her social activities.

Enjoy this time with your kiddos! THey grow up too fast.

Well, mine is a little younger at 17 months old, but I also have an 8 year old.
We get up at 7am (only because I babysit), have milk, and I have my coffe. We eat breakfast around 8-9am. Then, we usually play outside while I do some gardening or read a magazine. We come in around 11am and get ready for lunch. While I make lunch, I let them watch Barney or Sesame Street. After lunch we have naptime from 12-2pm. Then we have snack, story time, free play time. I'll change bed sheets and clean up while they play nearby. At 3:30 when my daughter gets home, we go back outside to play in the sandbox while I get some time with my 8 year old who likes to help me garden. 5:30 the other kids leave and we do dinner, bathtime, homework. The kids get into bed at 8-8:30.