We’ve talked about time to go routines for your family. But what about when you come back to the house?
Do you descend into chaos again as the kids go wild?
You’re still trying to unload the vehicle, get the baby or toddler out, restock the diaper bag, wash everyone’s hands, enforce potty breaks, set out a snack or meal, and deal with your own purse/keys/receipts.
Whew!
You need some help (make that lots of help), a routine, and a break afterwards.
What about a system for “we’re home,” just like you created one for “time to go”?
Just follow the same process in reverse.
List the In Vehicle priorities
What needs to happen when the key is out of the ignition?
How many kids need to be unbuckled? (Who can undo himself?) Does a big kid need to help with a smaller one?
What bags need to come in the house? Does the diaper bag go in for restocking every time? What about the snacks or water bottles (if you brought them along)?
Are there grocery bags, library books, or shopping bags in the back of the van (or on the floor)?
What’s the plan for bringing them in? (Do you cart them in after all the kids have made it inside, or does everyone grab a bag on their way into the house?)
Once you’ve got your in-vehicle priorities listed, it’s time to turn to the next segment.
List the In House priorities
You’re all in the door, the garage is shut, and everything’s inside. Now what happens?
Or more accurately, what would you like to happen?
A round of bathroom breaks and hand washing because you were out and about?
Do the kids always get hungry, requiring a snack or meal as soon as you get home?
Is it typically nap time for the littlest?
Are there groceries that need to get to the fridge or freezer ASAP?
Note the common activities following each trip out of the house, for your household.
Delegate, divide, and conquer
Now, which activities can your kids do, and which ones do you need to be on top of? (You’re probably not going to hand your kid the keys and ask her to put them away for you. You may never find them again!)
Consider the ages: do they need taking care of, can be responsible for themselves (with a little direction), or are capable of helping you.
What would you like to happen?
Examples: the baby actively needs looking after. She’s on the negative side, so to speak (someone has to get her out of the car seat, feed her, and find her toys or put her to bed).
Your four year old, on the other hand, can take off his shoes, wash his hands, and bring his shoes to the closet. He’s neutral.
But your eight year old son can bring in some of the groceries for you, open the door when you’re taking a load, or load up the fruit basket with the oranges you just bought. He’s a net positive.
Your job: take of the littles, remind the neutrals what they’re supposed to be doing, and direct the helper kids in what you want them to do. (This bag goes to the freezer, those apples need to be unloaded, and that bag can be thrown away.)
Aaand, your new system
All right. Now that you’ve got an idea how this might go, try writing down your new routine in steps. Maybe it goes like this:
- Step 1: Unbuckle self, unbuckle baby, have 9 year old unbuckle 4 year old.
- Step 2: I carry baby, hand 4 year old the lightest bag, and ask 9 year old to pick another bag.
- Step 3: 9 year old and I unload remaining bags while youngest two stay in the house.
- Step 4: Everyone washes up.
- Step 5: 9 and 4 year olds put their shoes away; I place baby in high chair for a snack.
- Step 6: Prep snack while 9 year old unloads grocery bags. 4 year old throws bags into trash or recycling.
- Step 7: Kids eat snack. I put top priority fridge & freezer items away.
- Step 8: I eat snack and clean up baby.
- Step 9: 4 and 9 year olds go play. I put baby down for nap.
- Step 10: I put away pantry items.
- Step 11: I put away keys/purse and set diaper bag out for restocking.
- Step 12: I enter receipts and place those in the ready-to-file area.
Whew! Did you know how many steps it actually takes to get everything dealt with when you leave the house?
No wonder you’re tired after that!
Plan a break for yourself after your regular errands – you need one.
Tell the kids
And let the kids know that they’re all going to be helpers now when you roll into the garage.
It’ll take some reminders, but the tide will shift, and you’ll get a lot more help.
(And it’s pretty cute to watch your four year old carry in a gallon of milk, puffing with effort, and tell you that it’s not heavy for him because he’s strong.)
Get a routine, get help, and get a break!
That’s your new mantra.
