How to Start a Routine
Schedules, routines, priorities. These words can either make you excited or anxious. Some people naturally thrive on schedules, lists, and goals. Others tend to dread the repetitive, rigid nature that schedules can bring about. Whether you’re a naturally organized planner, someone with a spontaneous personality, or somewhere in between, I’m going to share some easy ways to get yourself and your family on a routine that will leave MORE room and flexibility to your life. How does this work? As a mom of 4 kids, I know from experience that when you go into your day with zero direction or plan, you actually end up getting nothing done and have almost no freedom. Kids are fussier and more demanding, which leads to other responsibilities falling behind or left undone. There’s typically more fighting among siblings, and more frustration coming from Mom, and before you know it, you have to figure out what’s for dinner and you haven’t even cracked your Bible open or had any kind of moment with your spouse. Why? Because when there’s no direction, you don’t even have the mental energy to think! Your mind is clouded by chaos and you might not even realize it.
Try this easy experiment this week:
1. Make a list of daily non-negotiable activities: devotions, breakfast, school, lunch, naps, dinner, snack, bedtime (brush teeth, bath, PJs etc.) etc.
2. Make a list of weekly activities: church, extra-curricular activities, date night, shopping, etc.
3. Make a list of monthly activities: events, appointments, etc.
Next, write down some general times that YOU would like for those daily tasks to be done. Then, make a list of things you would like to do for yourself - maybe some deep cleaning, organizing, or some hobbies/me-time. Keep this list handy and read it a couple of times before you go to bed, and prepare your mind in ADVANCE for the next days’ coming activities.
For the person who doesn’t like schedules and redundancy, you can actually plan flexibility into your routine. The one thing you can’t get around is that there are other people in your life that depend on how your day flows, and if you don’t organize their schedules, you will have no freedom for yourself. Personally, I don’t like a repetitive lifestyle so I can’t make too strict of a list or it’ll actually be counter-productive. I lean more toward enjoying an unpredictable day - it’s more fun for me. But, I have found that when I focus on my daily, weekly, and monthly activities and formulate a plan for those activities, I have more mental flexibility which leads to more spontaneous activities in my day.
Once you complete this experiment and implement it over the next few days, you will probably notice your children will be more content and less frustrated because they will know what to expect. Either they will be able to anticipate specific activities from the more rigidly scheduled type mom, or they will begin to understand and expect that Mom has a plan, even if she’s more on the flexible, spontaneous side, and will feel secure knowing that SHE will tell them what’s next.
God has given each of us 24 hours every day. It’s our responsibility to spend that time wisely. Having a routine will allow both you and your children to make the most of every minute.
Stacy Bullock is a wife and stay-at-home mother of four kids. Married to her high school sweetheart, Joshua, she couldn't imagine a more fulfilling life. She enjoys playing the cello, horseback riding, and helping other mothers find fulfillment in making their quiver a happy and heavenly home to sharpen and ready their arrows (children) to be launched into the world to glorify God in following His calling on their lives.