NewathomeDad wrote:
>I want a schedule from the time I get up until the time they go to bed. Is >this being overboard?

Hi and welcome.

For me, schedules drive me crazy. You can't keep a 2yo on a regimented schedule, period IMHO. If you do, you're missing out on a huge amount of spontaneous opportunities. I was pretty strict about getting up and going to bed times, but other than that I flew by the seat of my pants. I let the kids, the weather, the opportunities guide the day. Chores got done when they got done - the boys always came first.

Cdn Tim

Make sure you get it right from the start.
You can work from home if you get lucky and have an employer that allows that, pretty much everthing you see on the web for working at home is a scam.
You can home school as well but do not try to do work at the same time. One will get neglected and you do not want it to be the education!
Sit back, take a breath and relax because your world will be rocked when your 2 YO turns 3 and even more when 4 happens. Your days of caring for her are work in istelf if you do it right.
I hate to put a damper on working from home plans but no matter how mach planning you give it, undisturbed work time is what you need to make it suceed and with a 2 YO it won't happen. You can't have it all, a succesful job/big deposits, smart/happy kids and your own sanity, pick one, the right one and make your girls the best they can be.
Good luck...

My Site, http://www.milehidad.com/ and my Blog, http://www.milehighdad.net/
Make Babies, Not War!
I Wanna Know How Forever Feels...

Sounds like you've got it all figured out, good luck and have fun!

Selling "government surplus" isn't code for being a gun runner is it? :D

I'm Not a Slacker

Good luck!

As someone stated above, I wouldn't get too bogged down with schedules at this point. I would try to keep the 2YO's naptime at a fixed time, though. I'm assuming that your 4YO doesn't nap, but if she still does, try to get her down at the same time. If they both sleep at the same time, by all means take a nap yourself. It will do wonders for your patience,

In the morning, it is always good to get out of the house and do something active. Hiking through the woods (or the city), hitting a playground or a museum are great options. By the time you get the kids to your destination, you'll be surprised at how little time you have before you have to head home for lunch and naptime. Linking up with playgroups are great for the kids and you as well.

Post-nap is often good freeplay time inside or in the backyard since you'll be starting dinner and trying to make the place look respectable before your wife comes home. ;-)

There was a previous thread on this site about homeschooling and various HSing resources. I think a dad recommended some books. There are also some general homeschooling links on www.mapping.com/homeschool.html near the bottom of the page (below all of the mapping links).

Good luck!
Jim

But, only use a schedule as a general reference. It will be impossible to stick to a hard schedule everyday. Also, there is no such thing as "bulletproof." Take the advice about taking a nap during the day when they are sleeping. That way you will have some energy at night when you try to get some work done. I must warn you that night hours get sucked up really quickly by laundry, dishes, bills and toy pick-up. It's also usually at night when you try to get your act together for the next day, e.g., activities for the kids, finding a "show & tell" item, homeschool lesson plans, meal plans and, oh yeah, your wife will actually want you to be in the same room with her for a little while in the evenings. Did I mention dusting, vacuuming, general cleaning, lawn care. Ps. Don't forget to take a shower.

The only thing "scheduled" on a day to day basis for me is making sure Olivia doesn't put a fork in an outlet. As time goes on, you'll see more of a pattern develop than an actual schedule for day to day activities. The one thing that my wife and I disagree about the most is "the schedule". With her being a Teacher, rigid schedules for kids is a must (in the school environment), but at home you really have to be a bit more flexible and be willing to wing it when necessary. Tim has it right, your kids, the weather, and what opportunities are available on a daily basis should be the factors in planning a successful day of no forks in the outlets...

Aye, there's nary an animal alive that can outrun a greased scotsman...

I am new to the site due to the fact that I am so not happy with my 4 year old's "private school". They don't give him the attention because it seems the schools mandated to take in more troubled kids. And since they require a lot of attention, my son gets none. In order for him to receive any, he sees how the other kids are getting it and he of course, copies. So, now I am thinking about home schooling, any thoughts? We have a 4 year old and a 4 month old. I am a full time Realtor. Go figure. Now what? Run guns too? And if so, how does one get an application to run guns at night when everyone is sleeping?