Comments on: My morning routine (toddler version) https://lauravanderkam.com/2016/05/my-morning-routine-toddler-version/ Writer, Author, Speaker Tue, 17 Apr 2018 14:04:26 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2 By: Emilie https://lauravanderkam.com/2016/05/my-morning-routine-toddler-version/#comment-32266 Mon, 30 Jan 2017 17:35:58 +0000 http://lauravanderkam.staging.wpengine.com/?p=6084#comment-32266 Hi Laura
I find your writing inspiring. I was hoping you could help me out with some advice.

What do you do if you don’t have a nanny, have housechores to do and two kids under two constantly at your heels? Surely there is no time then?

They sleep at different times, you’re awake all night.. etc.

I don’t mean to be self defeating but it’s not so easy when you don’t have the support system and staff right? What do you suggest then?

Thanks and really hoping you can help me out on this one!

]]> By: Laura https://lauravanderkam.com/2016/05/my-morning-routine-toddler-version/#comment-32265 Sun, 29 May 2016 12:23:22 +0000 http://lauravanderkam.staging.wpengine.com/?p=6084#comment-32265 In reply to lauravanderkam.

This idea is really interesting, My children are 12 and 14 now, and my biggest problem is keeping half an eye on what they are doing after school! They are pretty good about homework etc. but it would get done so much quicker if I was around the house between 4 and 6. I’m going to see if I can shift my day earlier at least once this week…

]]> By: lauravanderkam https://lauravanderkam.com/2016/05/my-morning-routine-toddler-version/#comment-32264 Wed, 25 May 2016 18:29:06 +0000 http://lauravanderkam.staging.wpengine.com/?p=6084#comment-32264 In reply to Ana.

@Ana – yep, if you’re done with your day at 2:30, there is still a lot of day left! That’s particularly cool in summer when those hours are great for being out.

]]> By: Ana https://lauravanderkam.com/2016/05/my-morning-routine-toddler-version/#comment-32263 Wed, 25 May 2016 17:28:06 +0000 http://lauravanderkam.staging.wpengine.com/?p=6084#comment-32263 In reply to Gillian.

Gillian, I was just thinking about trying to swing the same thing (7-2:30, 2 days a week). I’m doing 7-1:30 today (plus an hour or so of working from home) because I have to take my son to a therapy session every other wednesday, and I like being here before anyone else, and being done with my day)

]]> By: lauravanderkam https://lauravanderkam.com/2016/05/my-morning-routine-toddler-version/#comment-32262 Wed, 25 May 2016 17:16:36 +0000 http://lauravanderkam.staging.wpengine.com/?p=6084#comment-32262 In reply to Christine.

@Christine – there is something to be said for being firmly, unambiguously in charge. Things happen when you want them to happen, and while it is annoying not to have help, having a person who could be helpful there but not being helpful is probably worse!

]]> By: lauravanderkam https://lauravanderkam.com/2016/05/my-morning-routine-toddler-version/#comment-32261 Wed, 25 May 2016 17:14:25 +0000 http://lauravanderkam.staging.wpengine.com/?p=6084#comment-32261 In reply to Gillian.

@Gillian- welcome! Thanks for commenting. A couple of smart things in here — shifting the time of the commute is brilliant in terms of saving time. A drive that can take 45 minutes at 8:30 can take 20 at 6:30 — certainly around here that’s the case. I agree that it has to be a team effort, but when it is, mornings can be pretty good.

]]> By: lauravanderkam https://lauravanderkam.com/2016/05/my-morning-routine-toddler-version/#comment-32260 Wed, 25 May 2016 17:12:20 +0000 http://lauravanderkam.staging.wpengine.com/?p=6084#comment-32260 In reply to Pamela Hobart.

@Pamela – maybe she’ll just put herself to bed. She’ll walk into her room, gesture to be put in the crib, and then fall immediately asleep for 12 hours straight. I mean, while we’re dreaming, why not?? 🙂

]]> By: lauravanderkam https://lauravanderkam.com/2016/05/my-morning-routine-toddler-version/#comment-32259 Wed, 25 May 2016 17:11:32 +0000 http://lauravanderkam.staging.wpengine.com/?p=6084#comment-32259 In reply to Becca.

@Becca – Thanks for your comment – I’m so glad that IKHSDI helped with your perspective on mornings. It really can be a fun time for a family to be together and enjoy each others’ company. I think we’re often so obsessed with getting out the door that we don’t stop to notice the time that is passing — or the sheer cuteness of some moments! All four of my kids were playing in this little tent together this morning. There is much fighting, of course, but life is also a constant playdate.

]]> By: Christine https://lauravanderkam.com/2016/05/my-morning-routine-toddler-version/#comment-32258 Wed, 25 May 2016 16:21:29 +0000 http://lauravanderkam.staging.wpengine.com/?p=6084#comment-32258 I find the variable wake up time is one of the trickiest parts of getting a morning routine going, especially because mine goes so much better if I can be dressed and mostly ready for the day before the kids are up. My 20 month old still wakes any time between 5:30 and 7:30, but if it’s on the early side of that he’s usually appeased by a bottle and will go back to sleep for another hour or so.
My workdays have variable starts (any time between 6:15 and 10, depending on the week)… my best mornings are when I start late, because I get the morning with the kids without the pressure of getting myself out the door on time — once they’re dressed, fed, and cartooned (if time allows) they’re out the door with Dad, and I get an hour or so to get myself ready for the day. The very early shifts are next best because I am (hopefully) out the door before anyone else is awake – low stress! Anything in between is a bit harder, with two adults getting ready, true rush hour traffic to consider, and often having to pry my 4 year old out of bed as if he were a teenager.
Oddly, My husband has been away for work and I’ve been doing an 8-4 work day with fairly easy mornings, likely because I’m not annoyed that he’s not up, trying to negotiate who’s dropping off, etc. Much less chaotic, and I’m thinking that defining each parents roles when I’m working that shift with him home might ease some of the stress on those weeks. But I’m still teasing him that it’s just a well oiled machine when he’s away and the house runs my way, haha.

]]> By: Becca https://lauravanderkam.com/2016/05/my-morning-routine-toddler-version/#comment-32257 Wed, 25 May 2016 14:54:08 +0000 http://lauravanderkam.staging.wpengine.com/?p=6084#comment-32257 In the months since I finished reading “I Know How She Does It,” I feel like I have a new, much healthier perspective on my mornings! Routine is the same, but I am actually noticing and enjoying the fact that it’s actually good quality time with my kids (not just items on a to-do list to frazzle my way through before getting to the office). Husband and I take turns getting up around 7/7:15 and taking a shower while the other parent wakes kids (2 and 5) and gets them dressed for school and daycare. Then the showered/dressed parent takes the kids downstairs and gets them breakfast while the other parent gets showered and dressed. Kids are old enough now that they play together or independently in one of their rooms while waiting to go downstairs. Usually aim to be feeding kids no later than 8. On days when I’m on breakfast duty, I try to sit down and eat with them for 5-10 minutes and talk about what’s happening that day. Sometimes we color or play with toys for a bit after we eat. At 8:15 I load the kids into my bike trailer and ride to 5yo’s school, drop her off and get back on the bike to ride to my office (where 2yo’s daycare is also located). Deposit 2yo at daycare and then arrive at my desk by 9.

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