I am 35 and I have a 3 1/2 year old son who missed the cut off with a September birthday and won't start preschool until this fall. I work M-F 8:30-5:30 and my Mom comes to my house to watch my son. I get up between 6:30 and 7 AM depending on how late I was up. If I'm really early, I can do a load of laundry or dishes in the morning. Sometimes I shower in the morning, sometimes at night...it all depends. If I'm having a good day, I work out on my treadmill while everyone is sleeping. Most days he wakes up after I leave for work. He is not much of an eater so I've learned not to really push breakfast. If he wants it, he can have cold cereal or a waffle. If he's hungry, he'll ask for spaghetti and meatballs. Every day is different. TV is usually limited to the afternoon. Mornings are for playing with toys. He loves trains and the wood track. He also likes to play with stickers. His chore is to help feed the cats which he enjoys and does a good job. Sidewalk chalk, play dough and bubbles are also good. He enjoys being on his push car or tricycle and prefers to be outdoors. We have tantrums about him coming inside, even after dark.
My Mom and son often go to the park before it gets too hot to the playground and come back in time for lunch or have a picnic. Maybe he eats, maybe he doesn't. He doesn't take a nap unless he has played very hard which we encourage because he is very active. If he naps, it's late like 4 or 5. She tries to make sure he is awake before I come home or he will be up all night. My husband is in and out as he works nights and is sleeping part of the day. Sometimes my son goes out with his Dad in the afternoon and my Mom goes home early. We are rennovating the house and my husband works (3) 12 hour shifts a week so he is very busy. If my son stays home in the afternoon, that's when he watches Nogin or maybe a DVD.
Before I had my car accident, I worked out at Zumba class 2x a week so I got home after 7 or 8. Now I come straight home and I find out how late my son may have snacked. If he's hungry, I reheat something I've cooked ahead or thaw something I've frozen for dinner. Simple stuff like meatballs or skillet pasta. Sometimes I make little pizzas that are quick in the toaster over with the premade dough you can buy. Other days my husband grills hamburgers or chicken and I make a small salad. Chicken nuggets or soup or easy fall backs, too. When he gets picky, I always offer PB&J. I ask him what he did that day and then I tell him what accounts I worked on at the office.
After dinner, I clear the dishes. I often leave them in the sink for the morning because I have more energy in the AM than PM. I've learned balance is key and everything does not have to happen every day. I might put up a load of laundry. If my husband is not working, we do something together like go to a store or play a game. When my husband is at work, my son do the same. My husband puts my son in the shower with him when he is getting ready for work and I dress him in pajamas. When my husband is home, sometimes I have shower duty. He and I do read almost every night and that is the last thing we do before bed. We used to struggle with brushing his teeth. Now he is very independent and will tell me it's time to brush his teeth. I put the toothpaste on the brush and he says, "Go away. Go away." He likes to brush and splash the water which goes everywhere and look at himself in the mirror. He is very entertained. My son watches Sprout at night and I let him fall asleep to it usually on the couch. I can't sleep without the tv on myself. My son has never slept in a bed. He was out of the crib at 10 months and prefered the floor. I've learned to pick my battles. I'd rather not compromise on good manners and following the rules, especially for safety than where he sleeps. Sometimes I move him to his bed when he's asleep but he always wakes up at some point and comes into our bed. When I tuck him in, I leave his closet light on because he tells me it's scary in the dark and there are monsters. He has an active imagination. Unless he is very tired, he is usually up until 10. At that point it's lights out and if he's too engaged in his tv show, I put on something that would bore him like Nick at Nite.
I usually watch TV after he goes to bed. I set the house alarm to be safe and sometimes I wonder if I fall asleep before him.
Our weekend routine is usually getting up and out in the morning for groceries. Then we have the day to play, go on a treasure hunt (thrift stores/garage sales), McDonald's play place, lunch, etc. We are often at the theme parks here and in Orlando as passholders. I try and do 2 loads of laundry over the weekend. I am very lucky that my Mom picks up the slack with dishes and laundry which is a lifesaver. I also like to celebrate holidays with my son with decorations, arts and crafts, etc. and we make lots of cards.