Having routines for your kids is one of the easiest ways to create a predictable home environment for your children — and if you think about it, this isn’t too surprising.
If you look at your own life, think how often you rely on routines and systems to get you through the day. Unpredictable scenarios can be scary, and we can avoid that fear to some degree by following a consistent schedule.
As adults, routines are essential because they give us a sense of normalcy — and for children who have experienced trauma or toxic stress, having predictability in life is invaluable. Read on to learn how to create stable, sustainable routines for kids so you can help your children flourish.
Why You Need Routines for Kids
Unpredictable changes such as accidents, illnesses, and other traumas are unavoidable in life, and the Bible promises hardships and challenges will come our way. However, kids who follow a consistent routine are better equipped to face these challenges because they’ve developed resilience.
On the other hand, kids who live in chaotic homes that lack organization and structure are likely to struggle to complete tasks — especially ones they’d rather avoid. In order to raise children who are better equipped to weather life’s roughest storms, having routines for kids is essential.
Decide Which Routines for Kids You’ll Follow
Whether you’re looking to streamline your night routines for kids or you need an easier way to get them out the door in the morning for school, the first thing you need to do is decide which routines you want to create.
The best routines are the ones you’ll actually follow, so take some time to think through these questions before you start planning your routines for kids:
- What is my desired outcome for creating these routines? Do I want my kids to have more structure when they come home from school, or do I want to eliminate temper tantrums during bedtime?
- What do I want my kids to be doing? Too much unstructured time can give kids ample opportunity to do things they shouldn’t, so create a routine that aligns with your family priorities and values. If family time is important, for example, make sure you add family dinners at the table to your schedule, so you have time to connect as a group.
- How much supervision do my kids need to follow these routines? If you need to cook while your kids are completing a chore, make sure what you assign your child to do doesn’t require too much supervision.
- How much time do we actually have? Everyone could use more hours in the day, but our time is finite. Think about how much time you realistically have to devote to a routine and build your schedule around that.
- When will my kids have free time? When you’re creating routines for kids, scheduling unstructured play time is important. Set aside some time each day when your children can play video games, watch TV, throw around a football or whatever else they like to do so they can decompress, too.
Once you have the answers to these questions, it’s easier to create a routine to support your family.
Establish Healthy Academic Routines
Your child’s most important job is to go to school and get a quality education. As a result, their weekly schedules should prioritize their academic needs.
Morning routines for kids during the school week should consist of making sure your children have:
- All of their school materials packed and ready to go.
- A healthy breakfast so they can begin their day well.
- Ample time to get ready without being too rushed.
In a lot of households, mornings can be extremely hectic — especially if you’re getting ready for work while your children are preparing for school. For this reason, it’s easy to start planning your morning schedule the night before.
Evenings can be a good time to pre-make breakfast, have your kids pick out their clothes and make sure their bags are packed. That way, you and your children can have a more stress-free morning when you’re battling against the clock to make it out the door on time.
Maintain Strong Sleep Schedules
Sleep is extremely important for everyone. It’s the time when the body rests, heals, and relaxes. When establishing night routines for kids, make sure to determine what time you want your children to go to bed so they can get an appropriate amount of rest each night. A lot of times, the issues our children experience during the daytime stem from the fact that they didn’t get enough sleep the night before.
It’s also important to factor in your children’s sleep schedules when establishing holiday and summer routines for kids. Even though kids aren’t in school during this time of the year, they still need to have a bedtime and predictability in their daily routines. This sense of structure helps children feel safe no matter the season.
Creating a Kid’s Daily Routine Checklist
Once you’ve decided what you want your routines for kids to look like, it’s important to get your plan in writing. It’s one thing to talk about what you want your children to do, but it’s easy for kids (and adults!) to forget the plan once life gets busy during the week.
Start by writing down what you want your child’s routine to look like. You can make them a daily routine checklist so they can carry it with them and mark off their tasks as they complete them.
Think of the times you want your kids to be doing certain activities and what they need to successfully complete their tasks. For example, if you want your children to have a snack as soon as they get home from school but before they start their homework, you’ll need to make sure you have the food ready in advance. This pre-planning helps you and your children stay accountable to your agreement, and so everyone can play their role successfully.
Once you’ve prayerfully considered what schedule you want for your kids, have a family meeting to formally discuss these new expectations. Plan for a time when your children are calm and ready to receive new information. If possible, aim to talk during the weekend so you can roll out your new schedule on Monday.
While you are the parent and have the ultimate say in your kids’ routines, try and leave some room for negotiation and compromise when possible. For example, if you want your children to clean their rooms, shower and finish their homework before dinner, give them some flexibility to determine when they complete each task.
If you give your children autonomy when establishing routines for kids, they’ll be more likely to follow the systems they had a hand in creating. The old saying, “The most important work you do takes place within the walls of your home,” applies here.
KEY TAKEAWAY
Establishing healthy routines for your kids can help them flourish in a safe, predictable environment. Work with your children to create a schedule you both can agree on and have grace while you both adapt to this new routine. Change is difficult, but planning a routine for your children is essential for their wellbeing. Lean on the Lord to help you create a schedule that will best support your child.
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” ~ Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)
APPLICATION
For a lot of kids who have experienced trauma, bedtime can be one of the most stressful parts of the day. Add some fun to your evening routine with Flashlight Tag — a relaxing game to help your child unwind, practice gratitude and get ready for bed.
Find it now in the Everyday MomentsTM activities collection!