By Natalie, Editress of Visionary Womanhood

A couple of days ago we talked about five ways to help you endure bed rest. You can do any or all of those things whether you have other kids around or not, but obviously some of those activities are best accomplished when the kids are napping or otherwise occupied.

Today I want to share my strategy for coping with bed rest while the kids are awake and crawling the walls, which is, of course, exactly what they’ll do if given the chance. Here it is: Break up the day into bite sized pieces, with specific activities scheduled into each piece. This helps you mark time, keep the kids happy, and maintain your sanity.

Profound, huh?

So here’s what I used to schedule into my days:

Book Reading Time

I love books and read to my kids a lot. Being on bed rest only meant I had more time on my hands to read. And we did. I laid on the couch, and they pulled up their little chairs next to my head so they could see the pictures and we read and read. And read.

To keep this from getting too boring, have your husband or a friend go to the library and check out a bunch of picture books. You can find great suggestions online (Google is good for this—and boy, do you have time to Google), or you can get some even better ideas from books like Honey for a Child’s Heart by Gladys Hunt.

Game Playing Time

This is harder due to the angle that you are in when you play in a laying down position, but you can do it if you pull up a kid-sized table next to your head and seat your other children at this table.

Again, this can get really old after playing the same games over and over again, so ask around and see if your friends are willing to borrow you some of their games for a week or two. This will give you something new to learn and play—and it will help you test drive new games you can consider getting for Christmas and birthday presents down the road.

Cage Time

Pretend your children are animals in the zoo. Let them decide what animal they want to be and put them in their own cage. The cage can be a play pen (for toddler types) or a blanket on the floor. But they are all in the room with you playing in their own cage.

Have small bins made up (your husband or a friend can do this in advance) with activities that they can play on their own in their “cage.” The bins can also have a small treat or snack for the little “animals” to eat.

Helper Time

Have older kids help you by dusting, sweeping the floor, picking up toys, getting you water, etc. Depending on their age, almost every child can help in some small way during Helper Time. They love this when it is organized and made into a game.

Music Time

Put on some tunes and let them get their wiggles out by singing and dancing. This will lift your own spirits as well. There are so many wonderful children’s albums out there. Tim Challies assembled a great list HERE.  And if you are short on cash, you’ll find goodies on YouTube or Spotify.

Movie Time

We do this almost every day right before dinner. The kids are tired, hungry, and crabby. And Mom has to make dinner and needs a break from the bickering, so in goes the movie. Our kids have loved watching home movies, Magic School Bus (science), and these incredible animated Bible and history stories.

Coloring Time

Have coloring books, activity books, sticker books, etc. along with colors, kid scissors, and glue sticks, and set the timer for 15 minutes. They will love this!

Clay Time

We use Super Sculpey because it doesn’t dry out or make a mess. Just give them a chunk of clay and tell them you want them to make a snake. Then have them make some grapes. Then have them make a banana. You get the picture. They will have fun following your directions. It might be therapeutic for you too!

Exercise Time

Did you know that there are ways to keep your muscles toned during bed rest? You can read more about that HERE. But while you are doing your exercises, you can have the kids lay on the floor and do some together with you.

Snack Time

Have your husband make up snacks and sandwiches in the morning before he goes to work so that all you need to do is have one of your kids go and grab them from the fridge when it’s time to eat. If people ask how they can help, let them know that it would be great to have some easy, healthy snacks on hand. Have a snack time mid-morning and mid-afternoon when naps are over.

Nap Time

Even if you have older kids who do not nap, you can still have them go to their rooms during this time to play quietly while you and the younger kids take a nap. Sleeping will help pass the time in the most amazing way, so be sure to get lots of it!

You will have lots of time to brainstorm even more ideas. The point is to make each “time” a special activity for the kids to look forward to. Enjoy this time of being able to give them your undivided attention. Once the new baby comes, you will enter a new season of being busy and more distracted.

And that time will come—soon enough.