Consistancy

[Guest]

I am having trouble staying consistent. I allow for flexibility and my day even week is off. I am not sure if it is me or the kids. What do you? Do I really need to the same thing everyday and at the same time. If I do okay I can really try. But its getting them to do it to. I think I leave too much room for free play.

How to make changes?

[Country Kids]

Free play always throws a loop for us too. I use to be a stickler for doing things at a certain time each day and it was just to much. So here is what I've been doing things the last few weeks.

6:30=Kids start arriving/Free play
7:30=breakfast for the ones that bring it
8:00=Bathroom breaks
8:30=play outside/continue free play if to yucky to go outside
9:00=Go for a walk/continue free play if to yucky to go
9:30=bathroomtime/diaper changes/start getting ready for snack/eat

Then we just go on routine from here:

Once snack is done, we read a book and start preschool time.

Colortime/Bible story
Circletime
Then we work on our preschool stuff till 11:30-12:00 just going from one thing to another with no time envisis. Just flow along with it and what everyone wants to do. We don't always get everything done.

Then we do lunch at 12:00/12:15 and depending on the day we lay down between 12:30/1:00 and nap till 3;00.

After 3:00 its snack and free play
5:00 close

I don't stress about time anymore and just flow. It is working so much better for us! It seems easy to follow a routine than a time schedule-happyface

[athomemommy]

How do I get them to. The younger ones go off to their own thing. As I write this I wonder if they have too much space. They just go all over the house. Do you have your in a certain area all day?

[Country Kids]

Yes, we have the schoolroom where we do everything all day long in it. The bathroom is connected to it, as the slider to go outside.

Right from the get go everyone knows that they are not allowed anywhere else in my house except for the kitchen which is also connected.

The only bad thing is when we were having some bad times with no naps and such, I was spending about 11 hours a day in this room-drove me crazy!

[athomemommy]

How big is the room. Can you show me some pictures of your set up. The room we call the learning room is about 14X14. The bath room is right next it. Trying to make it the room we use most. Kitchen for eating and crafts. Naps are in my room. So at least we would get out a bit. What is your day like. Do they have free play and do you have stuff planned in that room.

[cheerfuldom]

stop the free range. it sounds like there are not many boundaries with your area or schedule so no wonder the kids feel like what you have to say is always negotiable. putting a routine in place and boundaries in your home will help keep everyone healthy, safe and happy. Its important that you are happy and in charge.....you are the adult, you know whats best.