Simple Daily Routine For Young Children

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Do children actually thrive on a daily routine?

Download your free daily routine chart at the bottom of this post!

Are you wondering if a daily routine is actually good for your kids?

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Are you looking for ways to become a peaceful mom but you aren’t sure how?

I created a free planner for moms like me, who want to create a peaceful home but let the stress of never having it all together defeat them, because who really ever has it together? The best we can do is plan for peace and roll with the punches, right? If you want your free planner you can get it below!

 I have a confession to make.

My family has to think I’m a tad bit nutty. No, they would never admit it. I’ve asked them point-blank before if they were concerned about my mental state.

They have always denied the accusation.

Why would they think I was loco, you ask?

Because I put my children to bed at 7 pm.

Okay, I see it now. You are internally rolling your eyes.

This lady is cray-cray you are thinking.

That is now a word. My 14-year-old sister informed me of this fact several weeks ago, then looked at me like I had three heads because I had no idea.

Anyway, back to the subject at hand, a daily routine.

Why yes, I put my children to bed early. Our youngest goes to bed at 7 and our oldest at 8. Sometimes this varies depending on mood, days, holidays, family functions, etc.

Regardless of the times, I make sure my children go to bed early 98% of the time. Why?

Because children thrive on having a daily routine.

They also need a certain amount of sleep every night to function.

Just like adults, but their tiny bodies need more. That is a different topic for a different day. Since B was a baby I have had her on a routine.

Not a schedule.

Those are two entirely different things, breeding from the same concept. I have always made sure her meals and her sleeping routine was the same.

Sure, there are times that we do not adhere to the daily routine.

Mainly on holidays and vacations, occasionally on family movie night.

Those are fun days. (insert eye roll)

They are fun for my kids, they are fun for the other family members involved. Do you know who it is not fun for the very next day? Mommy and Daddy.

The following days are days I can only describe as days made up of nightmares.

Misery.

Agony.

Torment.

Okay, you get my dramatics I’m sure. However, we can manage those days because 98% of the time our girls have a routine.

A year ago I noticed B was struggling a bit on her day-to-day. We had gone away with the daily routine

There were many changes going on in our family and the changes made her anxious. She fought me on everything.

Getting dressed.

Doing school.

Going anywhere.

I first became frustrated.

Then I realized that change is hard on everyone.

Heck, I fight change sometimes. I become moody when my routine is interrupted.

If it is hard for me, a 31-year-old woman, why shouldn’t it be just as hard if not harder on a little kid? A kid whose world can make her anxious anyway?

It is my job as her mom to help her cope and make life a little bit easier.

Kids are not in control of anything if you truly think about it. They are absolutely at the mercy of the adults in their lives.

Yes, some parents give their children choices, like the snacks they eat, what activity they take part in, etc. Like we do.

However, in the bigger picture, children are at the liberty of the adults in their lives.

If you have a child who already feels like they have no control over anything, plus they have no sense of routine in their lives, you my friend have yourself a recipe for disaster.

This disaster typically manifests itself in the form of a tantrum or defiance.

So I decided to add two more sets of routines into B and S’s life.

A morning routine and an evening routine.

These routines take less than 10 minutes to accomplish but the turnaround I saw in B just that the first day made a world of difference.

Why?

Because she knew what to expect and she realized that these activities, such as getting dressed and doing school were non-negotiable.

Here is the daily routine we use.

Morning Routine

1. Go Potty
2. Wash Hands
3. Make Bed
4. Get dressed
5. Eat breakfast
6. Brush teeth
7. Get ready for school

Evening Routine

1. Clean up toys
2. Go potty
3. Wash Hands
4. Take a bath
5. Brush Teeth
6. Get dressed into pj’s
7. Read a book
8. Say prayers
9. Go to bed

You may be thinking, well these are things they need to do anyway.

You’re right.

But if they are not done consistently, children may begin to fight to do them at all.

So I printed off these lists.

Added clothespins with the girls’ names, that they could move, and the most important part, we go through the list consistently, in the same order, every single day.

Even on the days we don’t feel like doing our routines.

Days we are out with family.

Even on Holidays.

This one small change has made a world of difference.

We also use an okay to wake clock for the girls, so they know when it is okay to get up.

My children are early birds like their father.

While they may be up and ready to start their day at five am, I am not prepared for them to get up that early!

The okay to wake clock lights up green when it is, yes you guessed it, okay to wake up! My kids love it and it works! and better yet I love it. It adds to the sense of routine in our lives. (This can work great for a child who likes to get out of bed over and over.)

I have always been a believer in routines.

These new daily routines have made me more of a believer.

B no longer fights me on the must-dos.

Sure she still grumbles every blue moon. But she doesn’t pitch a fit and digs her heels in. Which has made her calmer, and made me a calmer mom.

Because she knows what to expect.

She can wake up and know exactly what is going to happen. I can tell her it’s time to get ready for bed and she knows step by step what will happen next.

Children need that sense of knowing and calm. It makes their world make sense and less chaotic.

So if you were to ask me, or most people who work with children, does a daily routine work? YES. 100 times over YES.

Start one today. You may be surprised at the results.

read: the one change that made bedtime better for us.

Most of my readers are moms, who are in the midst of this parenting gig.

I love to give out advice, but there are some topics that I just can’t offer advice on because I haven’t been there.

I also look at mom advice as a good pair of jeans. It’s never a one size fits all. What works for me may not work for you!

That is why I decided to start a segment on the blog that feature interviews and guest posts from other mommas. Maybe you are a momma raising 4 kids under 5 like our guest today. Maybe you have a blended family or you’re raising children unexpectedly later in life, whatever your circumstance may be, my hope is that as more moms share their advice and experience, you will be able to find something that really resonates with you.

Whether it makes you laugh or reminisce and say, hmmmm been there, or yes! finally some tangible advice. My desire is to have a large array of advice for you from moms who have been there or who are there now!

If you want to be interviewed for a guest post or have an idea in mind that you would love to talk about on the Peaceful Nest Blog, send me your ideas here! I would love to hear them.

If you are new to the Peaceful Nest Blog, welcome!

Be sure to read my top posts on parenting:

• Why Consistent Parenting Matters
• 12 Habits of Immensely Peaceful Moms
• 63 Mom Hacks That are Pure Genius
• How to Connect With Your Child’s Heart

Are you looking for ways to become a peaceful mom but you aren’t sure how?

I created a free planner for moms like me, who want to create a peaceful home but let the stress of never having it all together defeat them, because who really ever has it together? The best we can do is plan for peace and roll with the punches, right? If you want your free planner you can get it below!

Are you looking for a mommy tribe?

Our Facebook group, From Chaos to Calm, is full of encouraging and supportive moms just like you. We would love to have you join! Join From Chaos to Calm Mom group on Facebook.

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