Lately, we’ve been taking an extra close look at our daily schedules, how we spend our time and what tweaks might be possible to help us achieve our goals. But wow, who would have known how important daily schedules would become as we navigate these next few months!
Today we are looking at 4 different types of schedules to help you navigate the transition of suddenly working from home and simultaneously supporting your kids’ learning from home. From a structured schedule to a loose plan for the day, if you’re in need of some schedule support, this episode is for you!
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Quick Tip: Decluttering Fun
I don’t know about you, but we have been looking for a little fun to break up our days. We are on week 3 of staying home and it is time to get creative!
We have been enjoying the podcast, That’s Sound Fun podcast with Annie F. Downs (the TSF Quarantine episodes). Just for fun, Annie has been wearing a different lipstick color each day. Not only did that sound like a great idea, but also a perfect way to declutter my lipstick stash!
Maybe you are saying, like Bethany, I don’t have over 2 weeks worth of lipsticks. If that is the case, what else could you declutter; dinner recipes, board games, magazines, skincare products (check out IG stories for Bethany’s experience with her face masks)? The sky’s the limit! Try a new one each day and decide what can go and what you will use again. I’ve said goodbye to a lipstick already!
To keep her days interesting, Bethany’s found a way to be social while still staying 6 feet apart. She is an extrovert after all!
4 simple types of schedules
We have been taking an extra close look at our daily schedules but wow, who would have known how important daily schedules would be in the upcoming months!
Today we are looking at 4 different levels of schedules, from a structured schedule to creating a loose flow to the day.
We are started with the most structured schedule, planning hour by hour.
In the last couple episodes, we have really been working on forming more of a strict schedule. You can check out Ep 79 Ready, Set, Routine, Part 1 of Time Mapping for the Win, Ep 82, and Ep 83 Time Mapping for the Win Part 2. In all three of these episodes, we have been slowly working towards planning out our day therefore we are not going to spend too much time on an hour by hour schedule here.
However, be sure to grab your free routines worksheet to get started on your own daily routines because that will help with no matter what schedule you choose.
You can find tons of examples of this types of schedule online. Here is a copy of the daily schedule I’ve been using that I modified from this one.
*If you want to edit my schedule to make your own version, click on this link, and then go to file, make a copy and then you will have one you can edit.
If an hour by hour schedule feels a little too rigid for you, next up is creating a schedule using time blocking. This is a more flexible version of an hour by hour schedule.
Time Blocking
The basic idea of time blocking is dividing up your day into blocks of time, usually around 3 hours, giving each block a general theme.
For example, a block schedule for kids learning at home could look like:
- 6-9 am – morning routine, quiet time, exercise and breakfast
- 9-12 pm – learning time, craft project
- 12-3 pm – lunch, afternoon chores, reading, nap, quiet time
- 3-6 pm – playing outside
- 6-9 pm – dinner, family time, bedtime routine
The nice thing about time blocking is that it is flexible. You don’t have to abruptly stop an activity just because time is up. Although I don’t suggest abruptly stopping activities in the hour-by-hour schedule either, however large blocks of time allow you to be flexible when interruptions arise.
If things come up you are able to stretch or cut short your time in order to accommodate interruptions. This can be especially valuable with young kids at home.
Before the stay at home orders, I had my weekday work schedule planned out in time blocks. It is a common way to plan out your work hours. This article, from Toist.com, explains how to plan your work schedule using time blocking.
However, now that most of us are at home, Jordan Page gives an in depth explanation of how she uses time blocking at home with her kids. She also has a free daily block schedule template to download.
Planning the Top 3 for the Day
The next type of schedule is more of a daily plan than a schedule. You are actually planning out 3 things to get done today before anything else. You could use this for yourself or your kids.
I used top 3 when I had 2 kids under two and my days felt like they were filled with feeding and changing and not much else. 2 of my top 3 items stayed the same each day, I had to exercise and plan/make dinner. The third item of the day was reserved for any extra that needed to get done.
The top 3 system allow me to see that I accomplished my main goals even if the house was a mess or there were dirty dishes in the sink. I could still relax in the evening knowing I finished my top 3 items.
I found the top 3 to be a better system for my teenager than the hour by hour schedule I’ve been following for homeschooling with my 2 younger girls.
Together, we list out her top 3 most important tasks to get done that day. She can decide when during the day she takes care of those items but there is no screen time until they are done.
A Buffet of Options
The most flexible type of schedule is to create a buffet of options from different categories. I listed out categories or subjects and then brainstormed different activities to choose from. For example:
Academic– read, journal, write letters to mail, flashcards, school work from teachers, science experiment, cursive
Online Learning – Khan Academy, Raz Kids, Starfall, Scholastic, Epic, Learning Upgrade, Prodigy, Mark Rober youtube video
Creative– playdough, baking, painting rocks, friendship bracelets, legos, photobook, board games, puzzles, etc.
Outdoor Activities– hike, bike ride, nature walk, bubbles, jump rope, etc.
Chores– laundry, clean glass door, recycling
This is along the same lines of the Summer Rules printable we shared during our summer episodes, Ep 65 Planning Summer Fun and Ep 18 Organizing your Summer. You can can’t a “buffet of options” for your kids to choose from before they use electronics.
This brainstormed list can also be used to help fill in your daily schedule even if you choose a more structured, hour by hour, schedule like I did in my above schedule.
Whether you are organizing your day or organizing your space, it is important to find a systems that works with you and your personality. So choose your preferred plan and let’s get to work!
Links Mentioned:
- This or That Coronavirus Edition game by @ginnykrauss. (Sadly the game was in an Insta Story that has expired.)
- Check out our new favorite products page!
We have made it a point, on A to B Podcast and also in my business, Space for Living Organizing, not to focus too heavily on organizing supplies. However, I am fully aware that there are times when finding the perfect organizing product is the icing on the cake to a job well done!
So we have created a page to commend you for all the hard work you have put in to getting organized. Now it is time to put the icing on the cake, it is time to celebrate your new space! Check out our new favorite products page!
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