Saving My Life: A COVID-19 Daily Routine

March 16, 2020

If you're anything like me then this last week has felt like a bit of a roller coaster. Living through something like COVID-19 is new to us all and it feels scary at times. I'm a person that thrives on routine and when I realized my kids would be home with me for at least a few weeks, I knew that I would need to create some sort of schedule for us to follow. Please hear me when I say that me sharing this routine with you is not meant to overwhelm you or to make you think that your days should look like mine. These are just ideas. I myself won't be sticking to it perfectly but I need something to help give our days structure so that I can stay sane. And y'all, when I shared this routine with Harper (5 years old) she was beyond excited and has spent most of the day today asking me what we get to do next. This framework contains lots of time for play, creativity, and television. It also offers up time for me to be able to have work time and time to myself. 

Note: My kiddos are 2 and 5. 

5:30am My Wake Up: I'm keeping my normal wake up time so that I have some time for myself. My day begins with making coffee and emptying the dishwasher while it brews.

6:00am Yoga/Journaling:  I use Yoga Wake Up to do a simple 12 minute yoga routine. My favorite one to do is "Morning Sun Salutations" with Ferny Barcelo. It's about 13 minutes. Then I journal. I basically just do stream of conscious journaling (similar to Morning Pages). If time allows I usually read a few poems during this time. Here's one of my favorites. 

7:00am Prep for the Day: Make my work to-do list for the day. Make breakfast for me and the kids. Shower and/or read if there is time. 

8am Kid's Wake Up: Breakfast, get dressed, put pjs in the hamper

9:00-10:00am Outside Time: morning walk, backyard play, or something active inside if it's raining 

10:00-11:00am Learning Time: reading books together, listen to an author read a book (lots of authors are doing this on Instagram), Scholastic Learn at Home

11:00-12:00pm Art Time: Drawing, painting, crafting (we're just using what we have for this and not doing anything super fancy)

12:00pm Lunch

12:30-1:30pm Outside Play: Kids play outside in the backyard while I clean up from lunch and work for a bit

1:30pm Quick Clean Up: Clean up any toys left out and gather everything needed for quiet time. 

2:00-3:30pm Room Quiet Time/Work Time: My 2 year old takes a nap and my 5 year old has quiet room time. She reads, colors, or does puzzles. I'm working during this time. 

3:30pm-4:30pm Guided TV Time: This just means that I pick the show. I'm going for more educational things here. Things like Wild Kratz, Dinosaur Train, or Daniel Tiger. I'm also working during this time. 

4:30-5:30pm Outside Play: Bike in the driveway if Daddy is home, play in the backyard otherwise. I cook dinner during this time. If it's raining then they will play in our basement playroom. 

5:30pm Dinner & Baths

6:00/6:30-7:30pm Movie Time: On school nights my kids usually go to bed super early (like 6:30) but I'm letting them stay up later so we can enjoy movie and popcorn together. My 5 year old is ecstatic about this time. Our rule is you can't have movie time if you don't have quiet room time earlier in the day. 

7:30/8:00pm Stories/Bedtime: Kids to bed. Hang with my husband. Watch Netflix. Read. 

Also, I'm super thankful that my husband works remotely and we are tag teaming being in charge of this schedule. My husband is in charge on Tuesday and Thursday mornings so that I can work from 9:00am-1:00pm. 

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I'd love to hear your ideas for things to do during the next few weeks! Share them in the comments. 

 

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