WHY YOUR KIDS NEED ROUTINES

What we are discussing here is one of my top topics when it comes to home-making. Don’t feel overwhelmed by this topic, it may not be as difficult as you think! It has to do with the importance of your childrengetting use to a routine at home.

After eating, my kids immediately starts placing the plates and everything  in the sink and they start cleaning. No ones need to utter a word; everyone knows what comes next.

In fact the two youngest one of the family get moving too. They know what is expected of them. It’s the same routine every single day. After having dinner also, they clean off the table, wash dishes, baths, brush teeth, devotions and then bedtime. No one fusses about the arrangement because we have all been doing it for so long. If we change anything, we feel a little out of whack.

 You might want to ask why my kids know what is expected of them every single day?

One word: Routine.

You need not be scared by this word. It’s not exactly the same as a strict schedule, so you can breathe a sigh of relief right there.

Some Nigerian mothers may frown at this word, since it brings structure into a child’s life. More moms are adopting the “hands-free” and “let children guide” style of parenting. They argue that the “hands-free” type of parenting offers the child more freedom and a chance to exercise creativity. They also would label me a “helicopter” parent because I am “hovering” over my child’s daily activities.

I thoroughly encourage creativity at our home. My kids get dirty, paint rocks, put on puppet shows and the list goes on. Our home is a happy, happening place, and there is hardly a dull moment. But, one thing is our home is not chaotic. There is still structure in our home that gives it a peaceful and calm atmosphere — amidst all the fun and learning experienced along the way.

Here’s an example of our daily routine that the kids follow. It does change if we are on holiday. It also changes for trips or special occasions. That is where the flexibility of a routine comes in.

Wake-up

Get Dressed

Clean Bedrooms

Breakfast and brush teeth

Morning Chores

School

Lunch

Recess/Outside Playtime

Naps

Free time/Play time

Dinner

Baths/Brush Teeth

Devotions

Bedtime

Notice there are no times listed. That is simply because we are not slaves to the clock — except bedtime. We are pretty strict about getting to bed by 8 p.m.

We do use the clock as a guide, though. We have certain time goals throughout the day. If we get an important phone call or visit, sometimes we have to start our routine 30 minutes or an hour later, but we still follow the same day-to-day pattern.

Again, this routine is subject to change, but my husband and I try to keep the kids in an established routine so they feel confident and secure about their future.

Confident? Did I say confident?

Absolutely. When a parent sticks to a routine, a child or baby can be confident that they know what their future holds. They know that mommy will be there when they wake up from their naps. They know that there will be a hearty meal for dinner. And yes, they even know that their parents will be there to tuck them in and kiss them good night — every night.

How about you?

Do you feel more confident of your future when you stick to a routine? If you miss your morning run or coffee, do you feel like you have already began your day from a disadvantage? If you do, then you can totally relate to a baby or child that lives without a constant routine in his life.

A parent’s job involves equipping your little ones for the best future possible, right?

Consider this: the average adult’s life is full of routines. Most occupations require commitment to a number of predetermined working hours. If you mess up the routine too often, you may very well lose your job. How about routine dental check-ups orcar maintenances?

Machines, health and people work better on routines. Give your child a jump-start in preparation for real life, by beginning aroutine today!

Routines also help parents divide their time between work and family. If you stick to a routine, you can schedule in special one-on-one time with your child daily, so you do not leave that important task undone.

What is stopping you from establishing a routine in your home? Are one of these popular excuses yours?

I’m afraid I will not stick to my routine. Have you ever cheated on a diet? Have you ever missed a workout session? Have you ever missed a yearly physical? Sure you have. Things come up or we simply have a less than diligent day. But what should you do? Just quit your diet and start shoveling donuts in your mouth at morph speed? No way! Your best bet is to get back on your routine with a renewed commitment. The same mindset applies to routines at home.

I don’t want my baby to feel stressed about following a schedule. With each of my kids I have used a routine. At first I did not want to schedule or do routine feedings and naps for my first child. However, he was cranky, fussy and became a discontent six month old baby. After listening to someone’s advice, I decided to try a schedule and a routine. I wrote it down on a piece of paper and taped it to the wall. Looking at my daily routine helped me stay on track.

What was the end result of our family starting a routine?

My life immediately became less stressful! My son became more content and took his naps easily since his body grew accustomed to napping at certain times. After lunch, his eyelids would begin to flutter and I would not even have to look at the clock to know it was 1 p.m. — nap-time.

Shopping trips, get-together, play-dates and other fun activities became a lot less stressful as well. I just scheduled them around our routine, or started our routine earlier. I felt more in control and less of a mess.

A calm and peaceful home does not just happen. It takes planning, hard work and diligence. If you desire a happier home that is less chaotic and more predictable, try establishing a routine.

Keep in mind your husband’s schedule, church activities and other commitments. It’s best to create a routine that is friendly to other important events in your life.

Does your family have a daily routine you follow? How has it affected the atmosphere of your home? Let us hear about it in the comments section!