Hello again. As I type this, it is Sunday morning – I’m drinking coffee and watching Sam & Jeff play. Maybe it’s because today ends my spring break, and I go back to work tomorrow, but I’m feeling kind-of reflective… Pardon me for a moment, will you?
Well, Spring Break 2014 is officially in the books… Despite some pretty awful allergies that kept me lazier and in the house more than I’d hoped, it was a very good break indeed. Now, back to the grind, but only for 24 days – woohoo!!
It will, for sure, be hard to get up tomorrow morning, and hard to leave Sam all week. For the last ten days, we have spent every waking minute together – and quite a few napping minutes together too 😉 – which was really good. I am embarrassed to admit this, but between work/babysitters/grandparents/etc. I can’t even remember the last time we spent a whole week together with no breaks. We had a really sweet time just playing with his toys, reading books, going to playgrounds, meeting friends for lunch, running errands, etc. I say this a lot, but he really is SO great right now. He’s my little buddy, and I wouldn’t trade the extra time with him this week for anything.
My boy 🙂
In other ways, of course, I am ready to go back to work. Time and time again, I have realized about myself that I really do function better with a routine and a schedule each day, and I’m not the best at making holding myself to one when I don’t have to… It is SO easy for me to sit down and look at the computer or something for “just a minute” and the next thing I know, it is noon and we’re still in our PJs, the day is half gone, and Sam has watched far too many cartoons.
If nothing else, this week was confirmation for me that – while breaks are SO good – we are BEST, when we are doing what is BEST FOR US. (Novel, right?) I have a GREAT JOB – one that allows me lots of breaks and good time with Sam, but also keeps me grounded, focused, and productive most of the time. I know not everyone is as fortunate as me in that field, so know that I don’t take it for granted…
I posted this on Instagram one night last week and got a fair amount of response to it – I don’t know HOW stay at home moms do it all the time!!! Being at home all day meant my house was always messy, and I was even more exhausted from chasing playing with Sam all day…
As I move towards summer break now (woohoo again!), I’m thinking about how I function best and starting to make some plans for our time. I would LOVE some advice/tips from those of you that stay at home full time. 🙂 I’d like to schedule some activities for us, but I don’t want to be overbooked either. Do you try to get out and do something structured every day? Do you leave one day for rest and play around the house? What is your daily schedule? When do you get your chores – cleaning/cooking/laundry/etc. – done? How much do you actually play with your kids, and how much is “independent play” for them?
Can’t wait to hear what you have to say!
E