As my family’s typical routine has been disrupted for many weeks because of moving and visiting with loved ones for the holidays, I’ve become increasingly convinced that routines are critical for having a peaceful, productive home.
When I talk about routines, I’m not talking about schedules (rigid agendas where specific activities occur at specific times). These are hard to keep with children in the house and, quite frankly, they stress me out a bit! I’m talking about a habitual sequence of events that guides you from one activity to the next. Routines are a little flexible, but they add structure and stability to your day.
Whether you’re a stay-at-home mom or a working mom, routines can make or break your day. Here’s why they are so valuable.
Why routines are so critical in the home
- Routines save time. When you have a routine in place, you don’t have to set aside time each morning to think through what you need to accomplish and to plan out your day. You’re also less likely to get sidetracked because you stick to your routine out of habit.
- Routines help you get the most important things done. If activities are really important, then they will be included in your routine. This means that, even if you don’t get everything accomplished that you’d like to, you’ll at least complete the particularly important tasks.
- Routines help children thrive. Children thrive on routines because routines take the guess work out of their days: They know what is expected of them and what is happening next.
- Routines help children become independent. When children know what is coming next, they are able to prepare for it without being asked. For example, if you eat lunch every day after story time, then your kids can independently wash their hands or set the table after the story because they know lunch is up next.
- Routines help you function on autopilot. Routines are indispensable during weeks when you’re being pulled in dozens of different directions. During these weeks it’s easy to get distracted and to fall behind on homemaking tasks. If you have a routine in place, you’ll be able to keep up with these tasks because they are a normal, habitual part of your day.
I was going to add an additional bullet point about how routines decrease your frustration. I realized, though, that this point is the sum total of all these other benefits. When you use routines, your household is more peaceful, your day is more productive, and you no longer go to bed at night wondering why nothing got accomplished.
Do you utilize routines in your homemaking? How have they benefited you?
Shared at the following link parties:
The Art of Home-Making Mondays, Titus 2 Tuesday, Titus 2sday, Tuesday’s with a Twist, Weekend Wind Down, and Monday’s Musings.
Love your post! Although I don’t have young kids in the house anymore, I am finding myself in need of routines. I don’t like rigid schedules as I never stick to them, but I do like making “mini routines” for several different areas of my life. They do help so much and I love how they help you function on autopilot! Thanks for the encouragement today 🙂 Blessings!
Hi Judy,
Mini routines sound great! Thanks for pointing out that routines are great even when you don’t have young children in the house. This is very true!
I’ve always been a person that likes routine. Which is interesting, because I am also the same person who likes to switch things up quite often when it comes to decorating a specific room. So on one had I balk at change and on the other hand, I thrive on change.
I agree that children are at their best when the house has a routine. Routine does not allow chaos to ensue, but as you say, brings peace to our home.
Thanks for sharing great reminders on the benefits of routine.
That is an interesting contrast, Karen. Decorating is a great way to be able to get the change you enjoy without having chaos develop in your home.
I never really thought of routines this way. I think I need to work on this.
Hi Laura,
I’m glad I could provide a new perspective. The most important thing is to find what works for you and your family! 🙂
I love routines to help my daughter. I agree 100% with the autopilot thing. I am pregnant with my second child and am not getting the second trimester energy burst. Routines are helping me function for sure. #Titus2Tuesday
Routines are so helpful in a situation like yours, Julie! Blessings throughout the pregnancy.
You are so right about routines. Not only do they keep you from wasting time, but they help avoid anxiety. I guess that would fall under the “thrive” category. When our routines go out the window, my kids get more anxious and bored and tend to argue more and don’t sleep as well. Routines are like a skeleton for your days, giving everything a framework to hold onto.
Thanks for sharing!
Hi Selena,
Great analogy! Indeed, routines give us structure like a skeleton.
My sons are both in college, one is home and the other one is away, which is why I love that we don’t have anymore rigid routines! #WeekendWindDownParty
Hi Antionette,
Having an empty nest must change things quite a bit. Thanks for stopping by!
Shannon….I agree that routines are necessary. Grace-filled routines, of course. You give great points for making and keeping routines in the home. Thank you for sharing at Monday’s Musings. 🙂
I think having that element of flexibility is so important, Naomi.
I love the idea of routines as opposed to schedules! To me, schedules seem to lock you into a time crunch – like, I HAVE to get xyz done by 9 – as opposed to a routine which gives you the flexibility of going from one thing to another without the time crunch. If that makes any sense, haha. Thanks for sharing your tips on the Weekend Wind-Down party this week!
Hi Nicole,
This is precisely how I feel! The flexibility of routines is so much better for those of us who don’t want the time crunch.