Hi there. I am in a bit of a rut. I am a SAHM to 6 kids (3 bio, 3 step). Three of our kids are in school during the day which leaves the other 3 here during the day. I also watch 3 kids on various days through out the week. The kids at the house during the day range from 1.5 - 4 years old. Some days I may have 1 or 2 kids other days, 5 or 6. We do things like color, occasionally paint, go to the park (when it's not too hot), read books, do puzzles and free play. They usually watch cartoons in the morning when the kids are getting ready for school, but not much more than that. Lately I've been getting very bored at home and feeling pretty down. There is only so much cleaning one can do with all the kids but I do have some responsibilities to get done each day like dishes, laundry, sweeping the floor and general pick up. Furthermore, it seems the kids get bored and then get into trouble without structured activities.
My question to you fellow mama's, is what do you do with your kids throughout the day? Do they have a lot of free play on their own? Are you constantly entertaining them with things to do? If so, with what? What are you doing when they are playing to occupy yourself? Help!
Because it feels like a daycare almost that you're describing :) I would create some flexible lesson plans and routine that some of the daycares and preschools have...for example after breakfast (depending on the weather) playtime outside 30 minutes, then creative art, then reading, then lunch, then nap, then play outside 30 minutes and then some other activity...baking cookies, coloring, playing a board game etc.... just a thought
hit some of the preschool websites & look for activities which you would enjoy doing with the kids. Flip your focus to academics, structure your day, & you'll find that everyone will be happier.
I think you & the kids are feeding off of each other's mood! Turn it around & the kids won't seem bored! Peace!
My kids are in school now. So while they are gone - I do laundry, run errands, etc.
When they are home from school - I work with them on their homework - once HW is done - we play - games - Wii, etc. they also help me fix dinner when they "are up to it!" :)
there are days that I let them just "be" and play with each other - I only have 2 at home....not 6 so big difference!!!
With 6 kids - after HW is done - I would expect them to help out around the house and clean their room, vacuum, etc. Tell them that THIS is WHAT FAMILIES do - they HELP EACH OTHER!!
I'm pretty lucky that my older 2 will play on their own for hours. But we also do lots together: reading, crafts, play doh, baking cookies or muffins. If the weather's yucky we'll make a big bowl of popcorn, snuggle under a blanket and watch a movie. My girls love making forts and playing hide and seek.
When my older two are occupying themselves, I'm usually nursing my baby or trying to keep the house tidy. Sometimes, if the house is clean and the baby is napping I'll read a chapter or two of a book, but that's only about once a week.
I feel bored staying at home with my kids when I do not interact with other adults. If I am bored the kids naturally get bored too. Try to get in touch with another SAHM and maybe you can go to the park together from time to time or visit each other for playdates. You will chat with somebody who can say more than "mommy, mi-e-e-e-lk!" and the kids will enjoy the company of some other kids and somebody else's toys. It will make a difference!
I have just one at home - and I get so bored!
I try and do at least one craft a day, read a few books. We have 10 acres so usually we will go out for a walk around the property, I will push her in the swing a bit, maybe go for a bike ride.
Today I have been bad, and sat on the computer a lot! but usually I am cleaning, doing laundry and boring stufff like that.
We don't do a lot of outside "stuff" because we don't have much money - by outside, I mean groups, playdates and activities like that.
Some social interaction with other moms would make a ton of difference. But are you saying that it's hard to get out of the house?
Personally, I don't spend a ton of time at home & those are the days (usually) that I feel like I'm going crazy. I think because I have too much I want to do on my own & I'm constantly being interrupted. At home my kids (I have two - 8 mos and 3 yrs) usually just have free play or my 3-yr old gets me to play with her. Things that we do outside of the house are co-op preschool, park usu. once a week, going to the library once a week, and going to a music class once a week. I also take my kids when I volunteer every other week. When I have time I go to a MOMS Club activity. (By the way, MOMS Club is only $20 a year & there are several activities a month. There should be a chapter near you.)
I only have 2 kids - now 6 and 8, but when they were home with me thru the baby and toddler years, I got in a rut too. I made a schedule for the week - you could do Make Believe Mondays, Wildlife Wednesdays, etc. Set aside one day per week for playdoh in the afternoon or something like that. When I have a plan, I feel more organized and more motivated. It also helps when the kids know what to expect. You could even encourage the older kids to do a "show and tell" of a special item each friday!
I have an outing with my daughter every morning before lunch. After lunch is nap time. Then after nap my son gets home from school and before I know it it is time to start dinner!
Mondays we go to the free kid time at our local environmental center (story, craft and hike)
Tuesday we go to free mom/kid Yoga at the Family Center
Wednesday we go to a friend's house and she and I take turns running while the other one watches kids
Thursday we go to the free music and movement at the Library
Friday we go to the pool
So, before these outings (they start around 9-10am) my daughter has free play time. And after nap she has a snack. After picking up her brother they both have free play time while I clean up/make dinner. I am pretty much constantly picking up or doing small cleaning jobs any time I am at home so it does not build up. sigh. Cleaning and laundry never ends!
I run a home based business, my kids like to do their own thing while I'm working. They play in their play room, watch the occasional cartoon, color, whatever. When I'm not working, we go for a lot of walks, we'll just head out on a walk to the park or the bakery to grab a snack.
I have tons of free play. I also though have a 2.5 yo with a sensory disorder where he has to be moving. your house will always be messt but cleanable. maybe on the days you have the extra kiddos you can make it more structured. that was you dont have 5-6 kids owning your home. when it rains we make forts that they can play in whenever during the day. we also have small nerf shooters with the sticky suction top and i will take window crayons and draw aliens and robber and my four yo and 2.5 can pretend to get the bad guys...i wont allow them to point them at each other so it keep that at bay as well...good luck with your brut of kiddos..good luck i hope this helps.
Libby
