I work from home on the days that I am watching Scout.  I get a surprising amount of work done because of the kid.  Most people say that kids are a time sync.  She can be a little inconvenient at times (screaming through a webinar, immediate need for diaper change while writing, etc…), but for the most part she is a great time keeper.

From 8-9am she sleeps in her crib and I take care of anything requiring phone calls.  I also clean out my inbox and do any personal bookkeeping.  This is her longest nap during the day and my opportunity for 1 hr of uninterrupted work.

Once Scout is up, she gets fed every 2 hrs and takes a 20-30 minute nap sometime in the 2 hr span. I don’t dictate the naps I just put her down when she shows signs of rage.  During feedings I plow through my rss feed.  She’s chatty so anything involving active listening is out. Between feedings and naps I might get some other things done that don’t require 100% focus.  I check Twitter and Facebook for things to read during the next feeding.  I make to-do lists.  Scout is chilling in her bouncer right now while I write.

We usually shut the office down around 3 or 4.  I catch up on shows I record on the family DVR or whatever is in my Hulu queue.  That way I can be productive when I go home.  Sometimes we cook dinner while we watch TV.  Last week Scout and I made Chicken Cacciatore.  I made sauce and rice earlier that day.  Food that requires minimal supervision.  Then we tossed chicken in the pot on low and let it cook while we watch Soul Plane (someone left me a present on the DVR). (Seriously, if you have time to sit on the couch, you have time to cook)

Scout loves the kitchen.  The bouncer fits on the countertop within site of me but out of dangers way (she gets a little freaked out when she can’t see you).  She is way too squirmy to be held in the kitchen.  Besides, holding a baby 24/7 is completely unnecessary.  This is why some parents have no time.

I am not sure if this system would work out if I had to watch her everyday.  5 days of Crankypants would probably wear me out. This system will definitely evolve as she gets older.  Right now she is easily entertained in a chair with a dishcloth.