work
/wərk/
noun.

a. activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result.
b. a task or tasks to be undertaken; something a person or thing has to do.

Last year, while I was on maternity leave, I wrote a post here outlining my typical daily routine with a 7-month-old baby. A LOT has changed since then, and I thought it would be fun to do a little update now that I’ve settled back into working full time.

For so many reasons, my job looks a whole lot different than it did before I left. Between the COVID protocols, the challenges of virtual teaching, and being a mom first, there’s been a lot of new learning to do this year. But I’m happy to report that we’ve found a pretty good balance for our family.

So, here are two versions of my typical work day right now:

Version 1: Face-to-Face (F2F) Day

  • 6 am – Wake Up & Get Ready
  • 7:15 am – Commute*
  • 8:15 am – F2F Work Begins**
  • 10:15 am – Break
  • 10:45 am – More F2F Work
  • 11:45 am – Virtual Teaching Begins***
  • 12:35 pm – Lunch
  • 1:35 pm – More Virtual Teaching
  • 3:30 pm – Commute
  • 4:30 pm – Daycare Pick Up || Chat with Family
  • 5:30 pm – Dinner
  • 6 pm – Playtime
  • 7:30 pm – Madilynn’s Bedtime
  • 8 pm – Clean Up
  • 8:30 pm – Planning / Marking / TV Show
  • 10:30 pm – Sleep

Notes:

* I typically listen to my favourite Spotify playlists and drink my coffee while I drive.

** My face-to-face classes change daily. I never really know what I’m doing until I arrive, and it’s all done while maintaining as much social distance as possible, wearing a medical mask and a face shield.

*** My virtual teaching position is in Grade 4. I teach math, science / social studies, visual art, drama/dance, and phys. ed through Google Meet.

Version 2: Virtual Day

  • 7:30 am – Wake Up
  • 8 am – Breakfast
  • 9 am – Get Ready
  • 10 am – Daycare Drop Off
  • 11:45 am – Virtual Teaching Begins
  • 12:35 pm – Lunch with Hubby
  • 1:35 pm – More Virtual Teaching
  • 4 pm – Daycare Pick Up || Chat with Family
  • 5:30 pm – Dinner
  • 6:30 pm – Playtime
  • 7:30 pm – Madilynn’s Bedtime
  • 8 pm – Clean Up
  • 8:30 pm – Planning / Marking / TV Show
  • 10:30 pm – Sleep

Bonus: Weekend Schedule

  • 7:30 am – Wake Up
  • 8:30 am – Big Breakfast
  • 9:30 am – Get Ready
  • 10 am – Creative Play (puzzles, sensory bins, crafts)
  • 10:45 am – Snack
  • 12 pm – Lunch
  • 1 pm – Nap || Household Chores (meal planning, cleaning, laundry)
  • 3:30 pm – Snack
  • 4 pm – Outdoor Play || Movie Time
  • 5:30 pm – Dinner
  • 6 pm – Pretend Play (kitchen, grocery store, dollhouse)
  • 7:30 pm – Madilynn’s Bedtime
  • 8 pm – Clean Up
  • 8:30 pm – Couple Time (talk, watch a movie, play a game)
  • 10:30 pm – Sleep

So, there you have it – an updated look at our life right now.

It’s busy, it’s messy, and it’s all kinds of challenging. But I love being a mom, and I love my job, so I wouldn’t change a thing!

… except maybe this pandemic…

Can you relate in any way? What does your daily schedule look like right now?