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We Need a Schedule!

Welcome to Monday.

This weekend, Pierre and I spent some time talking about social distancing with our boys. It was a tough conversation. I think - at least to a small extent - Ben and Nicholas were expecting this time away from school to be a long snow day - without the snow. When the reality of the situation became clear, I could see both boys deflate. Everything suddenly sunk in. And, with that, some of the fear and anxiety started to creep in.

This article, on Flattening the Curve from the Washington Post (thank you, Missie!!) was very helpful in explaining just why playdates were a no-go for the time being. The graphics certainly helped to show the boys how quickly this virus can spread and why we were are all taking steps to slow its progress. It helped them to see how they needed to be part of the solution. 

I woke up this morning knowing that we needed to get on a schedule. My boys need a routine. Kids need routine. So do grown-ups. Routines and schedules create calm in a chaotic world, allowing for structure, comfort, and familiarity. Routines help to reduce stress by letting children (and their parents) know what to expect and lessening worry over the "what ifs?". And let's face it, right now there are a whole lot of "what ifs?". The not-knowing is the hardest part.

Routines help children to feel safe. And everyone could use a little more of that right now. 

With that in mind, Ben, Nicholas and I sat down to create our family's schedule for the next few weeks:


Here's what we came up with:

Pierre and I decided on the gratuitous screen-time in the morning. Call it self-serving (or self-preservation!), but that one hour gives Pierre and me time to get to sorted for the day. With Pierre working remotely and me at home all day, our schedules have changed too. Everyone needs grace to adjust. 

Will this schedule work? Who knows?? Will we make changes? Probably. Will we need to be flexible? Most definitely! Ben has already said that an hour is too much time for lunch. We've chatted about how he can fill his time. I think I was asked about 14,000 times today whether educational apps/games played during academic time count as screen time (hmmm...yes, in moderation), and it is now 8:50p.m. and no one is getting ready for bed.

Will a schedule work for everyone? Nope. And you know what? That's okay.

For me, the most important part was having Ben and Nicholas involved in this process. I think it provided them with some ownership over their day, over this situation. And that helped to ease the anxiety and fears.

For more ideas on schedules, check out this one shared by one of the school counselors at my school (thank you, Jess!!):


Tomorrow, my big monkeys (gorillas? orangutans?) and I will create a list of non-screen related activities for creative time. I promise to share.

In the meantime, I have young men who need to get to bed. Right now. Remember what I said about grace?

xo Naomi

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