Balancing Parenthood and Partnership
Every day in our household is a blend of structured routine and spontaneous moments, shaped by the needs of our almost 9-month-old daughter and 2.5-year-old son. My husband, Zac, and I work as a team to manage our daily tasks, ensuring that we both contribute to our family’s well-being. Our days start early and are filled with activities, responsibilities, and brief moments of downtime. I’ve always appreciated seeing how other families handle their schedules, so here’s a detailed look at how we manage ours, emphasizing the importance of partnership and cooperation.
Morning Madness
6:30 AM – Wake up! Usually, my kids are already awake or just starting to stir. The day begins with a few words exchanged and morning greetings.
6:45 AM – Zac gets our daughter and brings her in to say hello. A little family snuggle time if everyone is cooperative is the perfect way to start the day.
7:00 AM – The kids head downstairs with Zac. Our son, Fitz, starts his breakfast while our daughter, Bly, has her bottle. Meanwhile, I’m upstairs getting my day started: drinking water, checking emails, making the bed, and setting out clothes for the kids.
7:15 AM – Shower time for me! I get ready for the day while Zac handles the kids, getting them changed and dressed.
8:00 AM – I come downstairs and prep Fitz with sunscreen and bug spray. He’s the tannest kid I know, but we both get eaten alive by mosquitos. Zac and Bly, on the other hand, remain bite-free. I also act as the hype woman for Fitz, getting him in the mindset for camp and gauging how cooperative Bly is going to be today.
8:15 AM – Coffee or an energy drink for me (I know, not the healthiest choice) and grab something to eat on the go if I’m hungry.
8:25 AM – Zac helps me load up the car with both kids for daycare drop-off. The car ride is filled with laughter and chatter from the kids most days, melt downs other days. Zac gets his day started while we’re gone.
8:45 AM – Drop off Fitz at daycare and do everything in my power to keep Bly awake as we drive home. Lots of “Bly girl, honey bee, don’t sleep, almost there, Bly girl” on repeat.
Mid-Morning Hustle
9:15 AM – Back home, and I feed Bly.
9:30-9:45 AM – Bly goes down for a nap. From then on, I try to get in the mindset to start writing or do account maintenance, bills, or whatever is needed. If I’m lucky, she wakes up around 10:45 AM.
10:30 AM – Bly wakes up and comes down to play. She’s either sitting, standing, or trying to learn to crawl while I squeeze in whatever work I can while not feeling like a bad mom.
Lunchtime Shuffle
12:25 PM – Load up the car with Bly and head to pick up Fitz.
12:50 PM – Fitz gets a snack in the car on the way home, which usually eases the transition from daycare to home.
1:10 PM – We’re home, saying hi to Dad. Fitz and I head upstairs to change diapers, read a book, and then go down for nap.
1:30 PM – Bly gets a bottle, a little more play if she’s not ready yet, then she’s down for another nap around 1:45-2:00 PM.
1:45-2:00 PM – After Bly is down, I might eat something, then I scramble to work/write a little more. In a perfect world, they nap until 3:00 PM and Bly even longer.
Afternoon Antics
3:00 PM – Fitz wakes up, and it’s snack time. The afternoon/evening begins.
3:00-4:30 PM – I’m playing with the kids. Often, Fitz plays by himself with his cars while Bly tries crawling. She’s so much more motivated when her brother is around.
4:30 PM – Zac is usually done working and takes the kids for a walk. This is when I get my only true brain-off me time. Sometimes I spend it writing or posting; other times, I just relax with a book or in front of the TV watching British people buy homes in the countryside (goals). From time to time, I join them, but that does me no “me time”.
Evening Routine
5:30 PM – The crew is back, and we decide what we’ll have for dinner. Either Zac or I will make it while the other feeds Bly some “real” food and puree, and hangs out with Fitz.
6:15 PM – We finish eating and play a little.
6:30 PM – On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, we clean up for “double bubble” where the kids both get a bath. The rest of the week, we won’t clean up until 6:50 PM.
6:50 PM – After double bubble or clean up, we get the kids ready for bed. Zac gets Fitz, and I get Bly, then we swap.
7:05 PM – Zac feeds Bly while I read Fitz three books before bed and talk about his day. I tuck him in around 7:25 PM.
7:30 PM – We are kid-free! Zac and I meet in our room to debrief about the day and talk about the plan for the night. On Wednesdays and Sundays, we spend the evening together, making dinner for us if we haven’t already and watching a show or talking. Other nights, we might work, one might work while the other relaxes, or we may both relax together.
10:15 PM – Rarely earlier, we head up for bed, talk a little, and go to sleep. Then repeat.
The Importance of Partnership
Navigating parenthood is no small feat, and I am incredibly fortunate to have the support of my husband, Zac. Our partnership is the cornerstone of our family’s routine. We share the load, support each other, and make sure to carve out time for ourselves and each other.
We might not have it all figured out, but we’ve found a rhythm that works for us. It’s all about teamwork, communication, and a lot of love. I hope sharing our routine gives you a glimpse into our world and maybe even some ideas for your own. Also, worth noting, we have appointments, no school days, grandparent hangouts, and weekends that change all of this up.
Remember, every family is unique, and what works for one might not work for another. The key is to find what works best for you and your loved ones. Cheers to all the parents out there making it work one day at a time!
