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“But I don’t want to go to bed.” It’s a common phrase heard by parents around the globe. But for families who have well established routines, children are muttering these words as they crawl into bed. Why? Because the family has established a consistant ritual that involves repetitive actions such as bath time, brushing teeth, reading books, saying prayers and then going to bed. Parents can rely on the routine as a kind of extra parent in a way. Mom isn’t nagging her daughter to get into bed, it’s the routine compelling her to do it.
Establishing good routines for your family will take time and discipline from Mom and Dad. Some children will fight parents at the beginning of a new schedule, but as much as they argue, children find comfort in repitition and rituals. Understanding the flow of the day and predicting what comes next gives children a sense of control. Even when required to perform a task she might not enjoy (i.e. brushing teeth in the morning or clearing her dishes after lunch) a young child will learn through routine that fun activities like going to preschool or reading time with mommy, are in the near future.
Routines can also help the adult who is new to the role of a Stay-at-Home Parent. If you feel overwhelmed with your new role as 24 hour parent and playmate to your little ones, look for activities in your area and create a weekly schedule that includes one thing to do each day. For example:
Monday, Playdate
Tuesday, Story Hour
Wednesday, KinderJam
Thursday, Fieldtrip
Friday, Stay-at-Home Science.
The rest of the day: Wake up, Eat breakfast, Daily Activity, Lunch, Nap, Afternoon Playtime, Dinner and Bedtime will be filled with routines and rituals that make the time pass. This may sound dull and mundane now, but so is the life filled with Wake up, Eat, Work, Eat, Sleep, Repeat. Remember to provide alone time and adult time for yourself and your spouse in your daily and weekly schedules.
For more information on routines and how they help children, visit:
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