Sofia’s {Ideas}
A Sunday series. A single idea. One of way too many.
For years, I would wake up at 5am and hit the ground running. Literally. I’d throw my sneakers on and go for a walk, jog, or run. It was part of my daily Hour of Power. And now that I am reclaiming my awesome, I’m trying to do this consistently again, despite the fact that my 3 youngest lovies (ages 5, 3, and 9 months) are usually awake before dawn. How? Sunshine Baskets.
Simply, quiet activities they can do in their rooms if they wake up before the sun shines. Hence, Sunshine Basket.
“If you wake up before the sun shines, you can have your Sunshine Basket.” Because, the goal is to have them remain in their rooms until its time for us to get our day started.
I’m keeping the novelty intact by not allowing them to have their baskets at any other time, and by changing the contents every Sunday.
Sunshine Baskets are a good way to rotate the toys, books, and puzzles they already have, and to also use up some stuff from the recycling bin. Some weeks, I’ll put a bunch of random junk in there with some tape for more open-ended play. Simple, Frugal, and Green.
It’s going to take some time for the kids to adjust to this (and Papa, if Mia wakes up while I’m out), but I think it is a worthy investment of time and effort. No more waking me up, on the rare occasion that I’m actually asleep. No more waking up the rest of the family with sounds blasting from the tv or wii. No more begging me to stay, or to come with me on my morning walk. No more disruptions while I’m trying to read my daily dose of inspiration or write in my journal.
I’ve been meaning to put these together for years, but felt like the kids weren’t ready for me to “leave” them for the sake of my health and sanity. (Ok, you got me – that was just an excuse not to get off my rear. ;0 Hee! Hee!) I think we all benefit from a mama that feels happy, healthy, and energetic. Don’t you agree?
Sunshine Baskets are one way to keep the children quietly entertained while I go refuel. And of course, in a way that fits Sofia’s Ideas on Simplicity, Frugality, and Frivolity… all with an Eco-Mentality!
How do you get your “me” time in? What works for you? What doesn’t? How do you handle it when the kids wake up before you are ready for them?
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
I LOVE your sunshine baskets! What a fantastic idea!
I do something similar but for rest time. My daughter stopped napping at the age of two, so we have a backpack full of quiet time activities that she can do during rest time (helps me keep my sanity).
Thanks for sharing! I may need to make a sunshine basket of my own!
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Jennifer, when do you do rest time at your house? And what is mommy doing during that time? And what kinds of things do you put in there?
Great idea!! Will need to try this on the God Children (girl 6, boy 2 1/2) when they sleep over … now how about something for the four legged, furry children of the family…lol… Enjoy your mornings..xo HHL
High Heeled Life recently posted..A Box of Secrets … But we have a key!
Let me know how it works out and what kinds of activities work best for them, ok? I would love to find out!
I don’t know about your furry one, but ours goes out quite early in the morning! ;0
I’m trying to find ways right now to give myself the gift of time. For me, it’s not needed so much first thing because I’m not a morning person. I need it more in the evening, when the stress of the day gets to me. Sometimes I escape into a long hot shower, and my son is great about leaving me alone in there. I’ve been trying to find inspirational reads to incorporate into my evenings as well just to reset my brain a bit. It’s a work in progress.
OMGosh, my brain shuts down by 4pm. ;0 That’s great that he lets you have some peace while you’re in the bathroom, sheesh! The only time they don’t knock on my door is when Papa says “Leave mom alone, she’s in the bathroom! Give her a minute!!” lol!
I love the idea of reading something “good”, brain food, right before going to sleep, so it can seep into my subconscious. But that is just not a reality here! So I do it in the mornings, and it refuels and energizes me.
What are you currently reading?
Arcane is reading The 7 Habits (teen version) and he is on fire! I want to read it after he’s done to see what has him going this way! Awesomeness!
If it’s a regular shower he’s bugging me 50 million times. But if I make a point of saying I want to take a long, relaxing shower, he sticks to the rules of “unless your head fell off or the house is burning down, don’t bother me”.
I hit the library today and got a few books about being mindful and grateful. I just finished a huge stack of books about the emotional recovery from divorce. Many of the same concepts about forgiveness, gratitude and self-care, but also addressing what happens overall in this situation. I think I’m going to buy the Tiny Buddha book next time I get some extra money.
Ha! In case your head falls off? ;0
I gotta check out this Tiny Buddha you keep going on about…
You know my child; nothing is out of the realm of possibilities in my house : )
I found it by accident but I am loving it! It’s so simple which is what I need. It makes big thoughts and concepts more attainable. For some reason, out of the many many sites I was looking at for inspiration, this is the one that touched me.
I know what you mean! It’s like reading “the right book at the right time”. That is the best feeling! I’m so glad you found something that resonates with you on that level.