This summer has been a lot of fun. As a family, we traveled to Ireland for two weeks.
The boys and I also spent two weeks at my parents. Between that and one week of camp, there have been some great learning experiences. But we’ve also had several weeks of downtime.
And as often happens in our house, the boys and I have reverted to our night owl states.
There have been late late nights and late late mornings. Breakfast is often eaten at lunch time. Lunch sometimes get skipped entirely. There is no rhyme or reason to our days. My work and running have been crammed into moments here and there as our lack of schedule has allowed
In fact, I believe we’ve gone a bit feral.
But school is coming. With it comes early mornings and scheduled afternoons. Cello lessons and concerts. Soccer practices and games. After school commitments and homework. Oh, and that job thing? It’s time to get into a routine.
We’ve already gotten back into the evening routine since we returned. Dinner at a specific time when we are all home. Baths/showers after dinner. Reading, math, and cello practice after that.
Next week we’ll slowly start moving back to regular bedtimes and earlier mornings. I’ve found the best way to do this is to make plans for something fun that requires us to be out of the house early. There’s a whole lot less complaining about the early wake up when there’s anticipation of doing something they WANT to do.
As for me? I think it’s time to stop flying by the seat of my pants. I need to set a work schedule and actually follow it. That’s the problem with working in an incredibly flexible, work from home job: it’s too easy to make other things a priority.
A week from now, the kids will be back on schedule and will have adapted to school and regular activities. I’ll probably still be struggling.
How do YOU keep on a schedule when there’s no external constraints?
Erika, MCM Mama Runs, began running to combat postpartum depression. What started as a few times a week, 30 minute commitment soon led to a half marathon and then her first full marathon. 2 full marathons, 34 half marathons, and a ton of other races later, Erika is well on her way to running a race in all 50 states. Join her on her blog where she talks about training and racing while trying to balance work, kids, pets, and her love of craft beer. She can be found on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook as well.
Healthy Mama says
August 29, 2014 at 4:16 amThis week has been a nightmare 🙂 for that same reason!!!
MCM Mama says
August 29, 2014 at 1:20 pmI’m already dreading Tuesday morning. I got up at 8 today and it was a struggle…
Kita says
August 29, 2014 at 4:30 amWe started on Wednesday and it has been a crazy few days for my night owls, too.
I didn’t change anything yet (summer bedtimes still :)), but I hope I will next week?
Sarah says
August 29, 2014 at 11:57 amThat’s exactly where my family is, too. Send help LOL.
MCM Mama says
August 29, 2014 at 1:21 pmI’ve already warned both that things will change on Monday night. I imagine we’ll all be hating Tuesday morning.
Carla says
August 29, 2014 at 5:01 amI laugh that as much as it SEEMS sometimes my lark is awesome because I never have to yank her from bed—she’s so so tired by day’s end and her peers dont give a …. care 🙂 she’s been awake so long.
There’s never any middle ground huh? 🙂
Hallie says
August 29, 2014 at 5:32 amAll I know is this week about killed me.
I’m not used to the wake ups yet.
Valerie says
August 29, 2014 at 6:18 amI can totally relate! Even with an 8-to-5 job, I still have trouble keeping my night-owl habits in check. I find that I drift into later and later bedtimes and before you know it, I’m up till 2 am and have to get up for work at 5:30. After a few days of that, though, I’m tired enough to get back to a reasonable bedtime. 🙂
MCM Mama says
August 29, 2014 at 1:23 pmOh, yes. I totally did that too when I worked full time. (And I have to get up at 6 on school mornings, so I’m sure I’ll be constantly fighting my night owl tendencies. Usually by Friday, I’m wiped out.)
Cindy says
August 29, 2014 at 9:12 amMorning person here! I have always wanted to be a night owl because you know all the good stuff happens after you have pooped out and gone to bed. There just aren’t enough hours in a day. I have to have a schedule with some accountability to other people or as you say things go feral!
mimi says
August 29, 2014 at 5:24 pmWell, i sort of cheated in that i was born a morning person. Being married to a night owl, and having four (out of four) night owl children, i have a great deal of sympathy for those not born to follow an early morning wake up routine.
My Sweetie has learned not to let himself get “feral” during down time. He tries to keep close to his usual wake up for work time most of the time, and that helps a lot.
cheryl says
August 31, 2014 at 6:04 pmI get up at four regardless if it’s a work-day or a weekend. It’s been my lifestyle for over 40 yrs. The only difference that vacation brings is that I get to take a nap in the afternoon if I feel like it! (Or maybe do another workout!)