A New Routine

I need to figure out a new routine. I have a different life now. It's interesting, because in reality it's not that different from the life I have been leading for the last year, except that now I'm not on mat leave anymore, and there IS the possibility that I could get called in for work on any particular day.

That's not a bad thing! The two days I worked last week, I really enjoyed. I think it helps knowing that it's not ALL of the time, knowing that I'm not responsible for marking, for lesson prep, for all of those things that take up the home time of a teacher. I just go, teach, and come home. Some days it is a stretch to call it teaching, as it was on Wednesday. I was basically in charge of making sure that the students read the short stories and answered questions. Done, done. It was fun to be back in the schools interacting with students, but also a joy to come home and leave it all behind. The days that I am home are also great. I love having time to play with Rusty, and having the days to do what needs to be done. That's the problem though, what needs to be done isn't getting done. I need a plan, a routine.

Anyone else in this sort of situation? What do your days look like? One big hurdle I was having was getting showered. This was not a problem until recently. Before, I could always shower with Rusty in the bathroom. I had a bin of toys he could play with, and he was pretty content, at least content enough for me to get showered and out and ready for the day. Not so much anymore. Yesterday was a prime example. I was trying to shower and Kev was sleeping in. He had a late hockey game the night before, so I was letting him sleep as late as possible before I had to head to church to work in the nursery. He was going to be staying home with Rusty, since Rusty had a cold that I didn't want to pass on to the other babies. I was showering away, when suddenly I heard the toilet lid slam. I looked and uh oh, there was a toy, in the toilet, rapidly sinking. I was soaking wet and trying to pull Rusty away from the toilet, all the while screaming, "Honey! Come! Come honey! Honey COME!" hoping to rouse Kevin out of the sleep he was in. He came in, got the dripping toy out of the toilet, and took Rusty out into the living room. Lesson learned. Rusty can no longer be in the bathroom when I am showering. I think I have solved that problem. Now I'm just going to get up with Kevin and get showered before he leaves for the day. I managed that this morning! I was up, showered and ready for the day before he left for work.

Now for other things. It's tough to get housework done with Rusty around. I don't want him around me while I'm cleaning the toilet and bathtub, even though we use non-toxic products I'm still not a big fan of him being there while I scrub down the tub. I'm needing to find times to get these things done. Kev is a rock star, and does laundry, dishes, etc. but I have always been in charge of the bathroom and kitchen cleaning, and I don't mind it. I just need to figure out when to do it.

I can do the bathroom for sure while Rusty is napping...if only I can get off of this darned computer! I guess it's not so much an issue of when to do it, as it is an issue of me using my time better!

I also want part of my new routine to be getting me and Rusty out of the house at least once a day. I have several friends that are pretty understanding of my new schedule, knowing that we might make plans and then I could be called away from them if I get a call from work. I think it's important for Rusty to get time with other kids, so I'm doing my best to plan that into the week. Today it's a walk with some friends, tomorrow a drive out to Surrey to visit another friend and her little girl.

I think I will figure it all out, I just need some time. I also need to learn little tricks like packing Rusty's bag the night before, just in case I get called to work in the morning!

I'd better go, the little man is supposed to be napping and has yet to go down!