Here we are, a few weeks into this school year, and the kids are (hopefully) well into their academic and extracurricular schedules. We all, especially those of us with more than one child, spend an inordinate amount planning our season so that the activities fall in line and we are able to manage all the logistics. For example, can we pick up Johnny from soccer in time to get Sarah to her swimming lesson.
I know that for me personally, I have once again over scheduled my children, and will send the better part of the next 3 months in my car driving them to and from various activities. How about you? Did you succeed in scheduling for your children, and if so, how did you do it?
Please share your ideas…
I hope you can understand this, It’s looks better in the planner but here goes..
Well, I have three children ages 3, 6, and 9. So that breaks down to preshool (just started three 1/2 days a week), kindergarten, and 4th grade. On top of that we are heavily into soccer with my husband being the head coach and provider for the family. Thank god for everything he does!! This is how I do it….
On Monday & Tuesday- the two oldest get out one hour apart and my little guy is at home with me all day. So i take the girls to school and come home, do housework and play and wait to run errands until my one hour spread of pick-ups. Then soccer practice from 6-8. ( I try to run while i’m there, that’s my stress reliever. having a friend watch my other kids).
Wednesday- early day(3 diff. release time)My little guy is at school wed, thurs, fri. with a release time of 11:30
Thursday, & Friday only difference is my youngest gets out 45 min. before next child so i do something special with him before the others get out. Then run errands again or visit grandma during one hour spread. Practice also again wed, thurs. nights,
Our weekends are either soccer games, or doing something fun for the kids. Now, if grandma’s want to have them all, then mom & dad get to have some fun!! (our time) . With all the school functions and pracitces, my planner and folio come in handy when getting questions like .. what are you doing Friday? When in doubt, Check the MOMAGENDA!!
My kids are first grade and young fives. Week three is melt down week. My first grader is there all day (I just miss home Mama) and my young fiver loves it but is exhausted.
I am proud of the fact that I did not schedule anything for them this fall during the week nights. I keep reminding myself that I never played soccer until fifth grade and I played in college.
Good luck everyone!
We have a 10 year old who just started middle school and a 7 year old in 1st grade. Fortunately, my 10 year old can now walk to and from school by himself so I don’t have to wake up the younger one and have him up a whole 2 hours before school starts for him. I don’t think I overscheduled yet. My youngest has soccer and my oldest one has afterschool activities at school 3 days out of 5 which isn’t bad since he gets out of school at 2:15, so he is still home with enough time to do homework. I don’t like to overschedule them because it doesn’t help the dynamic of our family. It is important to have our family dinner at night and quality time. All the school functions keep us very busy with two different schools. I feel overscheduled with all the volunteering I am going to be doing!
The ONLY way I manage to keep life with 4 kids (ages 9, 7, 4, 1 1/2) straight is with my mom agenda. In fact the reason I’m here today is to order a new one because I’ve already got some January dates to schedule. It kind of makes me sad to get a new one because I haven’t completely used up the old one and it’s such a part of our life! With 3 of 4 playing soccer, one in gymnastics 3 days a week, one playing baseball, carpool for 2 different pick up times, Girl Scouts, Hot Lunch, birthday parties, Dr. aptmts and all the rest of the fun things that we do, it’s our guide to the days of our lives! While some days feel overscheduled, without the chaos we’d be bored. That’s a tough balance and one that I only sometimes acheive. When we do it right though, it’s so much fun. And I love having a record of all the fun things we’ve done. At the beginning of the year this year, I sat down and wrote a little page reflecting on the year and it was so easy to turn through the pages of my old mom agenda to be reminded of the adventures we had, the new babies we met, the teams we enjoyed for a season, how far we’d come and where we had been. If only my mom agenda would put the pictures in albums too!
Just a thought – I would LOVE if the mom agenda had pockets (front and back cover) – otherwise – I love it. First time user and it is really helping me keep my 3 kids and PTA President work all straight.
I really really really love my mom agenda desk top day planner, I even have my mom and sister addicted to them. However I have noticed I can no longer order refills for my day planner…REALLY BAD NEWS!!! I love my planner but I have no intention of ordering a new one every year…WHY CAN’T I ORDER REFILLS?????
You CAN order refills. The refills are currently on back order, but you can certainly order one and will get it in a few weeks. Sorry for any confusion you may be experiencing!
-Nina