Designing a Routine

Young children love routines.  It helps them have order in their lives and they thrive on it.  Use this time in their development to teach them order. 


 If you don't already have a daily routine (or at least a loose one) consider designing one that's right for your house. 

For instance,

• We get up
• Go to the bathroom
• Eat breakfast
• Clean up 
• Get dressed
• Have playtime

Other ideas could be as simple as putting shoes away or cleaning up toys before bed.  Maybe it's Story Time at the library every Tuesday morning or outside playtime after lunch.

Whatever you decide, be sure it fits you and your child.  Every child and every family are different.  Finger painting at 10 each morning may work for the artist who works from home, while it may be enough to make a mom of twins go batty. 


Get creative, think ahead, and decide what you and your child want to do everyday. 

Once you decide, design it.  You could create a poster or piece of paper that outlines the day.  Let your child help decorate it (or even make suggestions if he's old enough) to show that he is on-board with mommy and feels some responsibility. Be sure to post it where you can see it and stay on-track.

Soon, your household will be running smoothly and you'll be one step closer to Getting it All Together.