One of my favorite parts of the Sunday New York Times is the “Sunday Routine” articles, wherein New Yorkers are interviewed about their weekend rituals. Today’s column features a pro-basketball player, New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler.
Here’s what I do on Sundays:
SLEEP IN, BUT RARELY I’m usually up at 6 a.m. on weekends. I would love to sleep in, but once my eyes open in the morning, I almost never can fall asleep again. So, I make a French Press coffee and then read the Sunday newspapers on-line. I love that time of the week: the house is quiet, and I can read fun stuff in whatever manner and direction my whims take me
WORK OUT, STOCK UP After the coffee has run dry, I go to the gym and have a long work out. I then go to the local Whole Foods and pick up some treats for the children, such as a nice dessert. I also think up a menu for the day and pick up provisions for lunch and dinner. I sometimes pick up fresh challah and bagels at Rosenfeld’s
NO WORK I am a recovering work-a-holic. I have to force myself to take a day off, and when I got married, I started a “no work on Sunday” routine. So, no calls, meetings or emails. To override my compulsive self, I actually remove email from my iPad and iPhone for the day. We also try to limit social engagements and just spend the day together, rather than rushing to appointments and chores. Most of our kids enjoy the slow day, too. Most of them have long days, leaving for school at 7 or 7.30 a.m. and returning home usually at 6 p.m. (or after)
CHURCH AND THE ROSARY We have some teen-age kids, and boy, do they really crave and need a lot of sleep. So, we now go to Mass at 12 p.m. The younger kids get up around 7 a.m., but the older ones can go to 10 a.m. and beyond. We pray the Rosary as a family during the drive to and from Mass. Each child takes a turn leading a decade of prayers and each usually has a prayer intention. It’s very touching to hear their concerns, and they usually pray for a person we know who is seriously ill
THE EATING BEGINS After Church, we sit down to a hearty lunch. The menu varies. Sometimes it is hot paninis, which our kids love. They particularly like a version that contains fresh basil leaves. I usually watch what I eat, but on Sundays, I’m prone to picking up sweets, pastries, cakes and the like. My noshing starts at lunch
A QUIET AFTERNOON (EXCEPT FOR FOOTBALL) When the NFL is in season, I watch a few games. It’s hard not to. When the Patriots are playing, it is usually a stress-filled three hours. When baseball rolls around, I will watch the Red Sox, but it is usually in the background while I’m reading magazines and books. I love to read. I wish I had more time to do so. I’m an extrovert by nature in an extroverted job, and so, a Sunday filled with reading is a stark (but welcomed) change. Sometimes, the kids will need help with homework or a science project
A SERIOUS HOME-COOKED MEAL I usually start cooking a fancy meal in the afternoon. We have a Sunday family tradition where the adults open a nice a bottle of wine and the kids drink sparkling apple cider from wine glasses. It’s a nice time together. It’s very peaceful
So, what’s your Sunday routine?
It’s Sunday. My routine is to NOT have a routine
Bravo, I like how you approach your family with the same focus and scheduling discipline as you would an investment opportunity. And as a foodie dad/amateur chef I especially applaud the emphasis given to great family meal planning!
Thank you!