Do You Have a Routine?

We really enjoyed a post entitled "20 Tips for Finding Your Routine with Kids" over at Simple Mom. When you're staying home with children, it's easy to look back at the day and wonder what you accomplished. Having a routine, not necessarily a set schedule, helps bring some clarity. We're still struggling to find ours...share your own suggestions below...

Simple Mom advises to have a written plan that is subject to change weekly, and not to try to do everything.

Please share your own tips for how you manage your day. Do you have a routine or schedule? If you do have a routine, what's your favorite part of the day or a routine that has worked really well for your family?

Image via Wardrobe Oxygen.

Comments (5)

My job changes all the time, so we don't necessarily have a routine. My baby has been pretty adaptable. When summer hits (we're in education), I am sure we'll appreciate that she's not locked in to a routine and may discover the joys of sleeping later.

I did however, turn to my husband this evening to say that I think she and our dog are too entrenched in the little routine we do have. Immediately after dinner, Daisy (the child) grabbed Julio's (the dog's) leash at the exact moment Julio started making a horrid howler-monkey noise. Apparently it was walk time.

posted by ksg on March 24th 2009 at 9:32pm
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At home with my 6 week old baby, I'm planting the seeds for a structured routine. Doing everything in the same order (Eat, Activity, Sleep, Youtime) Babywhisperer style and getting up at the same time every morning is as far as we've got. Right now struggling with short nap times (only 30 minutes at a time) and hoping things will get better. Trying to figure out how to incorporate time for everyone: the new baby, the three year old, myself, my husband and time to do the chores!

http://notyourgoddess.blogspot.com/

posted by Harpa on March 25th 2009 at 5:12am
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I was more schedule-oriented when my three-year-old was a baby, and now that I have a new one (5 days old!), I know I'll have to be schedule-oriented again but, ugh. One of the things I love about being a SAHM instead of working is the lack of a schedule. I don't think I'd ever want to schedule my day to the extent Simple Mom does.

posted by BadJuJu77 on March 25th 2009 at 8:48am
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My son is a toddler. His predictable 24-hour sleep cycle makes a routine easier to execute.

Here are a few pieces of my routine:
- I start a pot of coffee before I get my son out of the crib.
- Our time outside the house is usually split between one errand and one physical activity. If I can't do that, I set aside time for him to play where I run my errand (including the post office) or hold my errand for another time.
- I work on Thumbprint Trading Cards while he naps. I also eat lunch.
- Before my husband and I go to bed, we strive to re-set the kitchen and play area for the next day

posted by Thumbprint Trading Cards on March 25th 2009 at 4:00pm
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Our day flows but we don't have a lot of structure, except for that set by classes like Music Together, etc.

The thing I find most helpful is to pick up toys several times and always before bedtime, make sure the kitchen is clean, and set up the coffee-maker.

posted by JudiAU on March 26th 2009 at 12:22pm
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