When I decided WAAAAY back when that I wanted to stay home with Little Man, I immediately knew that I would need a routine or schedule for our days. I am a creature of routine and habit, and knew that if I did not keep up with one, I would not be a happy camper.

When I was on maternity leave, I would get up with Little Man each morning, turn on WGN morning news, and make breakfast. At 10:00, I’d grab the garbage, put Little Man in the Ring Sling or Ergo, and walk to the trash bins, then take a short walk around our apartment complex. Sometimes I’d throw him in the stroller and we would take a longer walk around the neighbourhood. Afternoons would be lazy, and I would usually lounge on the couch, with Little Man on my lap, and binge watch shoes on Amazon Prime or Netflix. Squatch would be home by 17:00, so I would have dinner at least started by the time he walked in the door. Then we would relax and watch something on tv until 20:30 and head to bed.

I did go back to work, and cut back my hours to only two days per week, just because working in downtown Chicago and being gone for 12 hours a day was not what I wanted, not with a little baby at home. My parents watched Little Man, which was a blessing, so Mondays and Wednesdays, we would have dinner with Squatch, and then Little Man and I would drive to my parents. I would shower at night, and then I could cuddle with Little Man until a bit before 6:00. I would get dressed and ready for the day, nurse him one more time, and then bring him in to my mother; she would cuddle with him until he woke up around 7:00 or so. My dad drove me to the train station at 6:15, and I would be on the train and get to work by 7:45. I kept up my three pumping times per day, and had my usual seat on the train home, to accommodate my back pack and pump bag. My dad would pick me up at 17:45, and take me back to his house. I would eat a quick dinner, pack up Little Man, and drive home to Squatch. I was always in bed with Little Man by 20:30.

We did this for 9 months, so when I left my job last summer in order to stay home full-time with Little Man, I kept a similar schedule. We would get up, and he would play while I made breakfast for Squatch, Little Man, and myself. After breakfast, I would clean up and, if it were laundry day, start the laundry for the week. I would usually run into town in the middle of the week, and it would be shortly after breakfast, so I could get there and back before naps! Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, we would also run to the dump with the trash. We would spend the mornings in the three seasons room, reading, learning to climb, and watching for animals in the backyard. He was on two naps a day still, so at 10:00, we would go into the bedroom and nap. Lunchtime and then a ride on the Rhino around the neighbourhood. We would play in the living room and kitchen area in the afternoons, and he would then take a nap around 16:00. I’d then get in the kitchen and get dinner started, so we could eat together when Squatch got in at 18:30. Bedtime was always around 20:00.

Little Man transitioned to one nap a day back in September, so our schedule has mostly stayed the same, with Library Storytime some Wednesdays and Fridays at 10:30 and nap at 12:00. Living with the in-laws, I don’t have the responsiblity of cooking all the time, so the only meal I really focus on is lunch, around 11:00 or 11:30. Bedtime is still around 20:00, although I’ve started to slowly start to get him down earlier.

Now with social isolation being the norm, I have not really had any changes to our routine. Being down south with my parents, I’ve taken to having Little Man outside for an hour or so each morning and afternoon. Sometimes, we will go on a trail ride before lunch, or run to the dump in the morning, but we always end our days with a walk after dinner. The fresh air and exercise are truly doing wonders for Little Man; he is sleeping so much better, and he’s been in such a great mood (at least, until I go to bring him inside; the kid loves the outdoors). I still get dressed each day; pajama days are very rare for us. I shower every 3 days or so (thank the Lord for Disney Junior, so Little Man can watch Muppet Babies or TOTs while I take a quick shower when my parents are not here with us). We just enjoy life as we did before. The only major difference is that there is no Storytime at the Library or “let’s escape and run to WalMart” trips for Little Man. This is why I have him outside so much; I don’t want him getting frustrated at being indoors all day everyday. The schedule keeps him calm, and the variety in things we can do here keep him (and me) from getting bored.

I know this immediate transition to working from home, or not working at all, has been incredibly difficult for a lot of you. Take some time today to think about what you need to get done, and look at your old schedule. Try to recreate that schedule and routine again, and for the love of God, stop wearing pajamas all day! I guarantee you will be feeling better and will be more productive. You may actually start to enjoy this time.