Thanks! If I’m doing well and using my time consciously, then I remember to record and it’s not hard. It’s those times when I get distracted, interrupted, vague out or I’m running lots of errands and the whole day is a busy blur that I forget…and then usually forget for the next couple of days. The same thing happens if I try to do a food diary – I only end up with the good days cos my bad days are something like ‘at a bunch of stuff I shouldn’t have at a pot luck’…. So attempting to record is valuable anyway!

Right, well, I know it’s always a tradeoff between identifying, preparing, maintaining the space and the value of having it available. I know my mom has commented many times that her sister was “against” pack-n-plays (or whatever they were called back then) but that unlike my mother’s, my aunt’s home had a room that basically opened onto the kitchen and only onto the kitchen that became my cousins’ safe/playroom when they were little (my mom plonked us in a pack-n-play when she needed to work in the kitchen).

So, you know, where feasible a space that both allows for adult activities (whatever sort are needed) and little kid activities is a good thing.

@Lily- for me, it’s mostly habit at this point but I think a key is not being too perfectionist or detailed. I don’t try to put too fine a point on it sometimes, and that makes it easier to write down what’s happening during a very amorphous time (like weekend mornings).

Like anything, I think you have to want to do it. If you aren’t that excited about it then it’s hard to keep up with. An accountability partner or reward could potentially help.

@Alexicographer – that might be a good idea, or a fenced in area in another room. We have a few rooms (like the baby’s room) where basically everything is up so it’s a bit more relaxing, but it’s hard to spend all day hanging out there!

@Anne- all about the sitters! Intense week, but a good one. This is much more low-key. The weekend in particular will be slow as our city is shutting down for the Pope’s visit.

@SHU -I know this one from hard experience! But yes, it made Tuesday night infinitely better than it would have been. I might not have even been able to carry in suitcases until after the baby went to bed! I’ve been asking my 8-year-old to watch the baby for up to 5 minutes (while I go to the bathroom or whatever) and he’s reasonable at it, but sometimes fickle. I’m not 100% sure he won’t decide to play a game on his Kindle instead.