Comments on: Stay at Home Mondays

By: Time Management = Team Work : parentingzoo.com

Time Management = Team Work : parentingzoo.com — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 22:13:28 +0000

[...] Stay at Home Mondays (attachmentparenting.org) [...]

By: Mellow Monday? « mamaTRUE: parenting as practice

Mellow Monday? « mamaTRUE: parenting as practice — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:37:41 +0000

[...] 27, 2009 This past May, I instituted Stay at Home Mondays at our house as a way of easing into the work week and my husband being gone after the weekend. [...]

By: Mellow Monday? | Attachment Parenting International Blog

Mellow Monday? | Attachment Parenting International Blog — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 03:30:28 +0000

[...] sonya on August 24, 2009 This past May, I instituted Stay at Home Mondays at our house as a way of easing into the work week and my husband being gone after the weekend. [...]

By: Stacy (mama-om)

Stacy (mama-om) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:27:52 +0000

Yes!

We started doing something I call “define the day.” So, Mondays are “walk in the woods day” (the woods are right by our house so we don’t drive); Tuesdays are our “out day” — class and then Homeschool Park Day; Wednesday is a “free” day; Thursday is “taking care of home” day (shopping, laundry, cleaning, etc.); Friday is “Tobi” day (our babysitter). My son really likes knowing what day it is. We vary from this, of course, but having something to vary from helps.

I agree with Justine, too… about routine versus schedule. We have a loose routine in the mornings and it helps us all settle in.

Another thing we do, on whatever day, is “cuddle time” — a time when I just sit on the floor and be present with my kiddos. They direct the play and I do whatever they say. This is a great way to reconnect and get grounded at home if we’ve been running around doing stuff.

By: Stephanie Petters

Stephanie Petters — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:26:36 +0000

I love this idea and completely understand. We went down to one car about three weeks ago but my husband still rides his bike with some co-workers after work on Tuesday and Thursday’s so he would need the car. I decided that Tuesday and Thursday’s are official at home days even if my husband doesn’t take the car. I also chose to not work on those days so that on those days we are more home centered and centered with my daughter doing fun things such as reading books, coloring, baking things, and taking walks with our dog. Now I value when Tuesday or Thursday comes because it is relaxed, I achieve the home tasks that I really enjoy as a WAHM/SAHM, and I get to spend that time with my daughter… no distractions, no play dates, and not giving those days to anyone else but ourselves. It has made a tremendous difference.

By: Andie

Andie — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 07:27:29 +0000

I created ‘No drive Mondays’ in our household when my son was about 15 mos (he’s now 2 yrs). Going from a busy, scheduled full-time job to staying at home, I found that I felt compelled to go, go, go, and it has helped me slow down, sit and play, cuddle for a nap, or whatever strikes our fancy!

We live in a community with many conveniences within walking distance (at least in my perspective) such as post office, grocer, coffee shop, library, so if we need to get out of the house, we walk. Funny, friends/family will still call and say, “I know it’s No drive Monday” but I was wondering if…” fill in the blank. We have no ‘schedule’ per se, but we do have routines. For example, every morning after breakfast we take a morning walk for at least 30 minutes. Haha, sometimes I’d rather just sit on the couch, but my son brings me the leash and whatever shoes he finds by the back door! It’s a great way to start our day. I’m even buying a rain cover for the stroller so we can go out in inclement weather. Now I have to make that babywearing coat!

By: Katie - PeanutSprout

Katie - PeanutSprout — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 06:02:27 +0000

We don’t really have a weekly schedule, but we have daily routine. The key thing for our family is getting the boys out of the house to do SOMETHING, ANYTHING by 10:30 AM. Even if that just means chalk drawings in the driveway. On days when I need to shop or run errands, we leave to do that by 10/10:30. If I can help it, I’ll even schedule doctor appointments around that time.

By: Amber

Amber — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:35:12 +0000

In general I love a schedule. I am a woman with a Plan. But lately I’ve been throwing it away and I’m glad. I had an overscheduled few months and it took its toll. Now we have days around home with no particular plan and we end up cooking and playing and gardening and reading and doing puzzles. I like it.

I think a formal stay at home day is a great idea. I might even implement one myself after reading about yours.

By: justine

justine — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:12:57 +0000

I was so happy to read this! I always hear that families with schedules have a much easier time of it…however, every attempt I have made to create a schedule seems to get sabotaged within hours (minutes, even)! So often I feel as if I am floating through the day, scurrying from one project or chore to another. What I’ve decided is that there is a big difference between “routine” and “schedule” for my family. As long as we do things pretty much the same way, in the same order, and I feel like I’ve met the needs of the little ones while doing so, then I am willing to give up being “there” on time and making it to every storytime, playgroup, and activity. I’ve had to accept that it means that we are “that family” at the grocery store at 10pm with all of our kids…(my, my, the looks people will give you when they assume your kids should be in bed already! We homeschool,and we don’t punch a clock for work so our time is our own… so who cares?) it is what up working for us! I love your Stay at Home Mondays idea! Fantastic!

By: desiree fawn

desiree fawn — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 16:36:33 +0000

That sounds like a great idea.

My daughter is five months old and I still feel behind and without schedule. Someday I think it will click, but not yet.