| Author | |
SuzanneG
Forum Moderator
Joined: June 17 2006
Location: Idaho
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5465
|
| Posted: Sept 03 2010 at 12:55pm | IP Logged
|
 |
|
We have a 63-year-old family friend who just lost her part-time job. We are considering having her come in for a few hours in the morning once/week to help, especially as I enter into the third trimester and my husband's travel schedule increases.
Help me brainstorm anything you may consider having her do during 3-4 hours in the morning, from about 8:30-12:00. Don't hesitate to get specific!!!!! This always helps me make a connection to a "specific" that I may have that I hadn't thought of.
**Anything to help with "school"
**Anything to help with light housework/upkeep/kitchen, etc.
Also interested in hearing feedback and tips from anyone who has had an adult helper like this.
My kiddos are: 9.5, 8, 6.5, 4, and 2 years old.
__________________
Suzanne in ID
Wife to Pete
Mom of 7 (Girls - 14, 12, 11, 9, 7 and Boys - 4, 1)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JodieLyn
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 06 2006
Location: Oregon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 12234
|
| Posted: Sept 03 2010 at 1:00pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
make lunch was the first thing that came to mind
__________________
Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Lisbet
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 07 2006
Location: Michigan
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2706
|
| Posted: Sept 03 2010 at 1:01pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Suzanne, maybe she could do your dinner prep?
__________________
Lisa, wife to Tony,
Mama to:
Nick, 17
Abby, 15
Gabe, 13
Isaac, 11
Mary, 10
Sam, 9
Henry, 7
Molly, 6
Mark, 5
Greta, 3
Cecilia born 10.29.10
Josephine born 6.11.12
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
guitarnan
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Maryland
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 10883
|
| Posted: Sept 03 2010 at 1:03pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Folding laundry (this would be my #1 thing!);
Playing with the littles for two 1/2 hour blocks so you can really focus on your older students at those times;
Walking the dog (if you have one) - this will free up time for you later in the day;
Organizing things (recipes, bookshelves, magazines) that are easy to file;
Light yardwork if she's able (sweeping porches, supervising your older children as they rake).
__________________
Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Mackfam
Board Moderator
Non Nobis
Joined: April 24 2006
Location: Alabama
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 14656
|
| Posted: Sept 03 2010 at 1:36pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I make use of help during the beginnings of my pregnancies. My help is not always familiar with our systems/lists/chores, etc. I make sure that living spaces are TOTALLY DECLUTTERED AND COMPLETELY ORDERED before bringing help in. I need to be able to say, "on the pantry, second shelf up on the right, you'll find "x". So...I know you've probably got things in order there, but assess to see if you need to address closets, cupboards, shelves and purge/organize/order. Also...I happen to know that you're the queen of lists!   Those are super helpful when help comes over. Not only do the kids see what is expected, but expectations are published and she sees it, too!
Ok...so this is once/week....right?
First...questions...
? What is your worst time of day in the third tri and what chores do you normally do in that time of day?
? What are your LEAST favorite chores?
? What are some of the chores Pete does for you during the week? If he's going to be gone more...pull from his list.
? Does she have special gifts/talents? Like, does she really ENJOY cooking? I'd def make use of her special gifts/talents!
? Do you have any big projects going on? Need to tackle one before the little fella comes along?
Brainstorming (I might be repeating others suggestions since I haven't read above yet)...
** A special read-aloud time once/week with specific, easy to accomplish tasks following for the kids, allowing you time to run errands/take a nap/tend to something
** Does she know a foreign language? Have her teach the kids some basics.
** Project babysitting...so that you have concentrated adult time to work on projects
** Take the kids on a weekly nature walk while you sit down with a cup of something decadent...or take a long shower/bath...or go get your hair done.
** Would she be willing to go GROCERY SHOPPING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
** Menu work and meal prep work for the week upcoming - chopping/prepping/freezing a few meals and/or some healthy snacks
** Ironing
** Once/week light housework help - pull from your chore lists and Pete's chore lists.
** Do you have a weekly/monthly home maintenance list? Are there things on this list she could tackle?
** Gardening/weeding/light outdoor stuff - this was a big area for me that I needed help with
** Specific project chores? Are you doing any painting/refinishing/sorting/attic/basement rearranging during that time? Have her help with things you would find it difficult to do.
I'd probably consider some work she could do and then get some more input from her. What is she WILLING to do? Then, perhaps you can just make a punch list throughout the week of areas you keep coming up short in. Add those to her list and when she's over, prioritize the list and ask her to tackle a couple of things.
I'll keep thinking! LOVE this idea for you! I confess...I'd be thinking of how I could arrange it so help could be out 2 days...or maybe 3...or 4...or THE FULL WEEK!
__________________
Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19 , ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JodieLyn
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 06 2006
Location: Oregon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 12234
|
| Posted: Sept 03 2010 at 1:39pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
anything you don't get to so often.. like.. cleaning ceiling fans? dusting/cleaning knick knacks?
__________________
Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Grace&Chaos
Forum All-Star
Joined: June 07 2010
Location: California
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1261
|
| Posted: Sept 03 2010 at 2:24pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
My husband was away for most of my third trimester with our fifth baby. We made use of alot of weekly help from a couple of sources. My sister would come around once sometimes twice a week and spend the night to help with baths/showers especially since its hard to get on your knees with little ones bath time when your very pregnant. We had a teenage friend (another homeschooler) come around once a week in the afternoons to just play and hangout with the kids while I ran errands (grocery shopping). And we had a cleaning lady come specifically to clean those very hard to reach places like ceiling fans, windows, toilets and bath tubs, floor mopping/scrubbing, and sweeping where furniture needed to be moved. My mom was also visiting often to help me with laundry and some cooking. We were very blessed during this time with lots of help. Some paid but mostly charitable.
I certainly recommend that you take advantage of this resource and figure out what would be the best use of her time that gives you some relief for the times there is no extra person/adult to help out and supervise. You might just want to take extra time to rest while she's there so you can energize for the rest of the week. My kids were a little younger when we went through this, thus I really needed extra hands/arms around anyway. My thoughts will be with you, I can really sympathize when dads are not around. 
__________________
Blessings,
Jenny
Mom to dds(00,03) and dss(05,06,08,09)
Grace in Loving Chaos
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Mary's daughter
Forum Pro
Joined: Jan 13 2009
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 170
|
| Posted: Sept 03 2010 at 8:52pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I second the laundry suggestion!
Stephanie
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
mamasue
Forum Pro
Joined: Nov 09 2009
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 139
|
| Posted: Sept 03 2010 at 9:37pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Laundry!
Clean showers/ baths
clean cabinets
read to, play with littles and take them outside
dust
grocery shopping!
Watch all kids while you nap, get baby stuff ready or run errands
maybe do those things that you never got around to- teaching kids how to tie shoes, fold clothes, do laundry
teach the children an art lesson
how blessed you are to have help!!
t
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
kristacecilia
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 05 2010
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 677
|
| Posted: Sept 04 2010 at 6:14am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Laundry.
Meal prep, especially those types of meals where you can make big batches to freeze for after the baby comes.
Everything Jen said regarding letting her watch the kids and you taking a nap.
__________________
God bless,
Krista
Wife to a great guy, mom to two boys ('04, '06) and three girls ('08, '10, '12!)
I blog at http://kristacecilia.wordpress.com/
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
KristinTX
Forum Newbie
Joined: March 17 2009
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 11
|
| Posted: Sept 04 2010 at 8:49am | IP Logged
|
|
|
My friend just told me about a family that had a woman daily from 6:30 to 11 who made breakfast for the family and prepared dinner and had it ready to go in the fridge. I'm not sure what else she did, but I could use help folding laundry!
Kristin
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Susana
Forum Pro
Joined: April 30 2008
Location: Illinois
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 221
|
| Posted: Sept 08 2010 at 9:37pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Thorough cleaning of Bathrooms & Kitchen, and mopping if you have "mop-able" floors! The food for freezing idea is great too. You could have all the ingredients and a recipe for her ready to make and freeze. Let us know how it works out!
__________________
Mami to ds12,ds11,ds10,ds8,dd7, dd4, and ds 2.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
SuzanneG
Forum Moderator
Joined: June 17 2006
Location: Idaho
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5465
|
| Posted: Sept 09 2010 at 6:30pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Thanks, ladies. This was very helpful.
DH and I sat down last night and came up with a rough-draft-plan for the next couple of months. 
And, I have a list of "my desires" for our morning-helper, and she and I will discuss next Wed.
I also have another list of all possible things that other moms may want done during a morning-help-time....in case she has any strong feelings about "doing X or Y" in general.....as there are a couple other families that may want her services, as well.
It's so funny to think how different my needs are now....with the girls even just a couple years older (almost age 10 and under)!!!!! I have a completely different list than I had a few years ago when my girls were under age 5 or 6!
Thank you!
__________________
Suzanne in ID
Wife to Pete
Mom of 7 (Girls - 14, 12, 11, 9, 7 and Boys - 4, 1)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
SuzanneG
Forum Moderator
Joined: June 17 2006
Location: Idaho
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5465
|
| Posted: Nov 10 2010 at 4:02pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
This is working out so great! I'm so grateful for your ideas and brainstorming! I originally worked off this LIST, compiled from here, to help me figure out the best use of her time, so I thought I'd post it in case it's helpful for anyone else:
2010-11-10_160058_Morning_Helper_.pdf
__________________
Suzanne in ID
Wife to Pete
Mom of 7 (Girls - 14, 12, 11, 9, 7 and Boys - 4, 1)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Susana
Forum Pro
Joined: April 30 2008
Location: Illinois
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 221
|
| Posted: Nov 10 2010 at 5:04pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Thanks Suzanne! I'm so glad you're getting the help you need. I took the leap too and got one of my friend's daughter's to help me on Saturdays for a few hours. It has been such a blessing! I would love to see that list, but it wouldn't come up for some reason.
__________________
Mami to ds12,ds11,ds10,ds8,dd7, dd4, and ds 2.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Maryan
Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 02 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3145
|
| Posted: Nov 10 2010 at 7:49pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Suzanne! My dh hired someone to help me (for the first time too) during b-ball season. I've been struggling with a list... yours is awesome! Although as it turns out, she found a full-time job, so it may not work out!
But again, chuckling at our parallels.
__________________
Maryan
Mom to 6 boys & 1 girl: JP('01), B ('03), M('05), L('06), Ph ('08), M ('10), James born 5/1/12
A Lee in the Woudes
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
SuzanneG
Forum Moderator
Joined: June 17 2006
Location: Idaho
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5465
|
| Posted: Nov 11 2010 at 3:50pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Maryan wrote:
| But again, chuckling at our parallels. |
|
|
Susana wrote:
| I would love to see that list, but it wouldn't come up for some reason. |
|
|
Here it is, cut-and-pasted:
************************************
LEARNING / SCHOOL
• Reading Aloud Chapter Books
• Reading Picture Books
• Being available for Math Time/Questions
• Listening to an emerging reader read-aloud
• Supervising an Art Project
• Prepping an Art Project
• Planning an Art Project
• Sharing a special area of knowledge
• Correcting Papers / Assignments
• Being in charge of one child
• Being in charge of one subject
• Playing any learning games
• Guide a Nature Walk or Scavenger Hunt
• Teach special skills to any older kids: tie
shoes, cook, fold laundry, etc.
LITTLE ONES – helpful so mom can have quiet,
uninterrupted time with the older children
• Art projects with littles
• Nature Walks outside
• Supervising play outside
• Going to the park
• Activities – games, puzzles, shapes,
drawing, etc.
• Songs / Circle Time
• Give Baths
ORGANIZING
• Straightening Shelves
• Organizing an area
• Sorting Papers
• Filing
• Getting Notebooks Ready
• Changing Display Areas
************************************
HOUSEWORK
KITCHEN
• Cleaning up kitchen after a meal
• Preparing Lunch
• Prepping Dinner ahead of time
• Prepping Breakfast – making muffin dough, waffles, etc.
• Prepping food – chopping, prepping, freezing....ie: fry large amounts of hamburger, cook chicken and freeze it
LAUNDRY
• Iron
• Fold Clothes
• Mend Clothing
• Put Away Clothing
• Match Outfits
MISC.
• Light housekeeping tasks
• Gardening / Weeding / light yard work
• Harder-to-do-chores if a mom is pregnant
• Supervising Kids doing Chores
• Supervising Kids doing Outside Chores
• Help Kids make Beds
• Supervise Room Cleaning
ERRANDS
• Shopping
• Running Errands
• Library Stops
Babysit while Mom naps or plans
************************************
__________________
Suzanne in ID
Wife to Pete
Mom of 7 (Girls - 14, 12, 11, 9, 7 and Boys - 4, 1)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
|
|
4Real Forums : Planning and Ordering our Days
Topic: Weekly Morning Help from the Outside
