I have finally gotten to that place where I have figured out my schedule as a homemaker, where I am getting almost everything done that I wanted, and with my struggle with depression, burnout, and ADHD that is impressive. 

For me getting my children to the bus stop every morning was the thing that I used to build all of my other habits. Such as taking the trash out on the way to the bus, it was an easy way to make sure that the trash bags actually made it out of my house. After getting back from the bus stop I would take some time finishing my coffee before my husband got off work and I would spend some time with him before getting him to bed at a reasonable time. 

To be able to use that time after getting the girls to school I needed to have my full morning routine done or just about done, and the only way to do that was to wake up early enough to get a jump on it all. 

Each task I added onto my routine reminded me of the next one that needed to be done.

However, recently with summer break it all came crashing down.

I have needed to sit back down with my planner, calendar and journal to figure out how I am going to get everything done while carting my two frustratingly intelligent twin daughters with me everywhere I go.

Summers are times of extreme spontaneity and when making a schedule it needs to factor in that possibility. So here is my attempt so far:

Morning:

Wake up early enough to have some quiet time for self care

• Devotions or meditation
• Exercise 
• Shower
• Clothes, hair and makeup

Make breakfast for myself and the girls

• Toast and eggs
• Yogurt and banana
• Oatmeal with berries
• Pancakes and bacon (or Canadian bacon because meat is expensive now)
• Breakfast sandwiches
• Cereal
• Smoothies

Finish morning chores.

Mid-morning:

Plan and get ready for the day

• Pack a bag for time running errands outside of the house (water bottles, snack, activity books and colored pencils, bug spray, bandages)
• Get kids ready for time outside (sunscreen, proper shoes, hair brushed)
• If staying inside then set up activities for them (puzzles, learning activities, books)

Actually spend some time outside with the kids 

Stay hydrated

Lunchtime:

Prepare a healthy lunch for the family

• Noodle casserole
• Greek salad
• Egg salad sandwiches 
• PB&Js
• Spinach and strawberry salad
• Avocado chicken salad
• Charcuterie plate

Have children do their chores after lunch

• Clear and wipe off table
• Load dishwasher
• Sweep the floor

Afternoon:

This would be the time that is scheduled spontaneity

• Go on a bike ride
• Work on a puzzle
• Trip to the museum
• Play at the park
• Paint
• Go to the beach
• Visit friends or family
• Visit the library
• Bake together
• Play in the sprinkler

Late afternoon/Evening:

If I’m visiting or helping friends or family after leaving the house the previous two might be skipped or done at those other places and this would be where I would pick back up at home again. 

Make a nutritious meal for dinner

• Fish tacos
• Cold pasta salad
• Chicken wraps
• Quinoa salad
• Steak fajita bowl
• Barbeque skewers
• Homemade pizzas

Have children help with making dinner

Clean up the kitchen together 

I have actually stuck a paper to the dining table napkin holder with four chores
so that each of us can do one chore every night after dinner and not forget.
I’m not sure if my husband also has ADHD but it sure seems like it sometimes
and I’m pretty sure at least one of my daughters inherited it from me.
I am hoping that this will be a good visual reminder until we get the habit down. 

Spend family time together

• Movie night
• Go on a walk or bike ride
• Play games

Bedtime:

The bedtime routine won’t be much different than your regular one. 

Relax and unwind with the husband or wife. Or have some personal time and take a bubble bath or read a book. 

Reflect on the day and what worked and what didn’t and make a plan for any adjustments tomorrow.

I am not sure how to plan for my husband’s weekends, since they could include camping trips or day trips off somewhere or other. But I think that a rough idea of this routine should still work while I am in other places, or even on the road to other places.

Remember that flexibility of the summer schedule is key to having this work. It is not always easy but keeping it malleable will help to not have a frustrating melt down in the middle of July when things just aren’t going how they were supposed to. 

And enjoy time with your family. 

This will only be a short time for me and in another year or so I will be busy in classes again and will look back at this time with nostalgia. Give yourself the memories to look back on. Go run through the sprinklers with your kids instead of grumbling at having to mop the floors when they come inside.