Great Benefits of Keeping a Routine with Your Child

If you are an the go most of the day and a fly by night kind of parent, that is most definitely a-okay!  But everyone knows that a having some sort of routine in your day, especially with small children makes everyone’s lives so much easier.  Here are some great benefits and reasons why a structured routine will help keep things running more smoothly in your home.

• A daily routines can help your child comprehend time and start to learn how time management works.
• When your child is old enough to be assigned chores, a routine can help monitor when chores need to be done in the day.
• Habits can be incorporated in your child’s daily routine like making the bed and brushing their teeth.  
• One great benefit is spending time together and when a routine is in effect, your child will look forward to an fun activity that is planned for everyone,

We all have the usual routines in our daily lives for our children, such as the day time activities and bedtime routines.  Each stage of life can change as your child gets older of course, so making adjustments over the years will be necessary. When your toddler starts kindergarten, for example, there will be a huge shift in routine, so this will require some pre-planning and practice in order to get them ready for the idea of leaving the home on time and being away. Below are some tips and benefits!

When you have toddlers and preschoolers, these routines may be helpful:

• Start with a morning prep routine of getting dressed
• Eating breakfast at the family table or breakfast counter
• Begin a bedtime routine, including a talk about the next day.
• If you are using child care, make sure to have a good routine set up with it.
• Playdates and extra activities are fun at this age, so a routine is important as well. It helps keep your child busy and learn how scheduled events work.

Sometimes it can be very difficult for children when they don’t know what to expect from their daily routines.  Their fear of the unknown can often cause undue stress that can be avoided if communication remains open and if parents remember to be patient during major life changes.  Some of these changes can include:

• Starting a new school
• Moving to a new neighborhood or town
• Meeting new family members
• Introducing a new baby brother or sister

And sometimes it can be as simple as introducing a new food to your child’s mealtime.  Your child’s eating routine can be a challenging one, so this is an area that should be addressed as soon as solid foods can be introduced.  

All of these changes offer huge growth opportunities for you child and should be embraced and tackled at their own pace.  When children are learning new skills and adapting to their schedules and routines, from reading their first book to even crossing the street on their own, it’s so important to be encouraging and supportive.

Consistency is key!  Making and sticking to a routine with your children is by far the best way to ensure smooth sailing in your day to day life.  It’s not always easy these days with our busy lives, but with some steady plans, patience, and some planning, it can be a whole lot better!