Mom Tip Monday – Finding a Routine

A new series for July – Mom Tip Monday. Each week I’d like to share some tips I’ve found after over seven years of parenting. I know I don’t have all the answers – and I invite you to join me in sharing YOUR best tip on the topic for the week.

This week is: Routines

How do we find one?

How do we keep one?

What works best?

Everyone has an opinion concerning routines – but it really just depends. When formulating a routine, ask yourself some questions:

1. What season am I in? Do I have little ones at home? Teenagers? Empty-nester?

2. What type of personality do I have? Am I laid back? Schedule-driven?

3. What is the personality of my family and our lifestyle? Do we plan things out? Do we like to make spontaneous decisions?

4. Do I want a routine for the day? For the week? For the month?

5. When do we eat meals? Right on time, or it differs day to day depending on our schedule. Where do we eat meals? At home? In the car?

Remember that a lot of those questions are constantly changing.  Life is like a river, always flowing and moving. and It depends on the time of year, how old your children are, and what kind of current responsibilities you have in how you will answer the above questions.

After evaluating the climate of your life, make a list of the following things. Each of these will look differently (and might change). It is worth the exercise. Try to write out the following….

1. Write out your daily “need to do’s” {NTD} as a family: meals, cleaning, nap time, etc. Only your needs. Only

2. Write out your recreational obligations – or “want to do’s” {WTD}. For us this summer our obligations are swim lessons daily and gymnastics once a week.  We will have various appointments for therapy, but those vary with day and times.

3. Look at your list of NTD and WTD and examine what time most of those take place. I try and schedule most things in the morning.

4. Pray. Ask God to be a part of your planning.  Ask Him to reveal what should be a priority. Maybe reading a Bible story to the little ones before bed is too hectic and simply spending a few minutes with each one in prayer and talking to them one-on-one is more of a priority.  Invite the Lord into your daily routine.

5. With your two lists and a general idea make a sample routine for your family. I say sample, because as you begin to live your routine, you will find adjustments are needed.

The reason I can’t share our routine is that it is unique to us. Our family is not like your family. Your needs and wants will differ than mine. Here are some things to consider and remember while making a routine:

*Remember your season.  Keep in mind that your routine now will possibly look different 3 or 6 months down the road.  A year from now, you may have to throw away your old routine and develop an entire new one!

*Do not try and routine your entire day. Maybe just routine part of your day starting out.  Maybe just have a morning routine.  Maybe just routine bedtime. Having a routine for just part of your day can be helpful.

*Be flexible.  Life is always changing, so if you are out of town or on vacation try your best to keep your routine, but adjust it to fit your temporary schedule.

*Cut out something.  Chances are you are not looking to add anything to your day. Instead, look to see what can go.  Evaluate your schedule and the list of activities and determine what can be cut out. For me, it was time spent on social media first thing. I need to check my blog in the mornings, but I found that I checked Facebook first and then Instagram. So, by the time I was finished with “blogging” I had spent 30 minutes on the computer when in all reality I could have just spent 10 minutes. Cut out the excess in your day.  You will find that there are a lot of Fringe Hours available. Choosing the best means saying “no” to some other things.

*Ask God to be a constant part of your routine. Keep seeking Him and His will for your family when it comes to the daily. He is found in the present and desires that we put Him first.

Here are a couple of great books I’ve found on managing your time:

The Fringe Hours (review found here)

The Best Yes (review found here)

~~~

What about you? Do you have a daily routine? A morning routine? An evening routine? What is it? What do you need to cut out in order to make room from some better things? Please share! I read every comment and look forward to hear your best Mom Tip on this topic!

If you liked this post….check out:

Routines

Remember Surrender

Thanks for reading! Please follow!

 Facebook / / Twitter / / Instagram / / Pinterest

I’m linking up HERE!

Please join me on Tuesdays for TUESDAY TALK! Link up your favorite post!