The importance of a routine

I actually think that we all need a routine of some sort; I know that I'm a lot happier when I know what I'm doing.

 

I'm not in any way boring but I like to have a plan. Maybe it's a Taurean thing, but when it comes to babies, toddlers and children, I truly believe that routine is imperative. It's a must. Routine Babies are the happiest babies.

 

From when Jack and Holly were smallish babies to now, they have always known exactly what's happening at certain times every day. I've always maintained their routine even when I'm working, getting someone to pick up the baton for me. (Grannies are a life-saver!)

 

I had Jack and Holly in the Coombe and I really, really loved it. I had a great experience there both times and I have to thank them for bringing my children safely into the world and for giving me my early organisational skills!

 

On Day one, with a brand new baby in my arms, they gave me a sheet with columns to write down when and how much Jack fed. I breastfed so it's a good way of knowing (especially through the exhaustion) which breast he fed from last, etc. The midwives would have a look to see if there was a pattern forming and then advise and help me.

 

Well, I loved that sheet so much that I photocopied one and kept a 'feeding diary' for 1 year! When I weaned him, I changed the column to ‘food’ instead of ‘breast’ (Yeah, maybe I had too much time on my hands then) and I did the same with Holly, but breastfed her for a bit longer.

 

As early as five months, I started getting them into a loose routine and it made life easier for everyone. I knew and they knew when they would feed, sleep, have awake time, play-time, bath-time and when they would go to bed.

 

Now that they are five and three, they still have a routine but obviously a different one. Monday to Friday is always the same – I collect them from school and give them a snack. They play and then dinner is at around 5.30pm. After dinner they can watch a bit of telly or play. Bath-time is at around 7pm; then it's story-time, a cup of milk each at 7.30pm and bed. (Now that I'm on the Seven O’clock Show, I leg it home to kiss them at 8.15 but most nights, they’re asleep) Thankfully, they're their mother’s children and love a good kip, so they sleep until 7.30am and our day begins again.....

 

Our weekends are way more chilled. Pancakes for brekkie, lazy mornings in pyjamas and they can stay up later. They know it's the weekend because I'm not bossing them to eat up their cereal and put on their coats!

 

The weekend is football, swimming, beach, park, play dates, pizza, etc. They still know that lunch is at 12.30pm and dinners at 6pm. Every second Sunday, Granddad (my dad) comes to us for dinner and we'll have a roast and a nice dessert.

 

Jack and Holly are very happy children. Obviously they have their moments but overall they are good. They are both confident, friendly, trusting, affectionate little people and I really do believe that a lot of these traits come from having a good routine at home. When a child has routine in their life, they feel safe and secure. They are able to relax and develop, knowing that there are boundaries and rules made by people who will look after them. I think that a routine child is a happy child.