7 Critical Signs Your Family Needs a Routine

When you feel like you’re at the end of your rope, try establishing a routine. Here are seven signs that your family may need to start implementing some routines into your daily life:

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I want to say something mildly shocking from the outset: whether or not you meant to… you already have family routines.

Maybe you planned them, maybe they happened randomly and haphazardly, but they’re there.

Routines are simply things we do over and over again.

Sometimes, however, it’s obvious our routines aren’t working for us and we need new purposeful ones. Let’s dive into some signs your family needs some better routines.

Stress is a key indicator that your family needs a routine.

If you find yourself under stress with no obvious direct cause in sight, that’s a sign that your family needs a routine.

Lack of routine makes everyone on edge. Even if you’re the type that thrives with creative chaos or free range principles, there should probably be an underlining routine keeping it all together.

Fundamental things that happen the same time everyday in the same way.

It’s when our routine breaks down that we find ourselves running out of time, late for important dates, losing things, and blaming the kids. This all happens without us really meaning to, but it’s for sure when the stress kicks in.

The kids are constantly arguing.

Have you ever decided that you were going to simply have a routine free day with the kids? You planned on having them play with each other with no plans or rules…

But all they did was argue?

I have been there and found myself asking, “Why are they arguing when it’s supposed to be a free day?”

For some, this is every day life. If your kids are constantly arguing, it’s time to implement some family routines into their lives.

Routines do so much more than just make your life easier. Routines…

• build confidence in kids,
• foster a safe environment for creative expression,
• allow for smoother transitions,
• and leave less space for confrontations.

You’ve misplaced your cell phone, car keys, and that important thing your kid needed again.

Routine is the key to not losing it when you’re a mother.

If you’re constantly finding yourself in situations where you’ve misplaced things or forgotten calendar events, it’s time to set into play some family routines.

A routine simply put, is a sequence of actions that you regularly follow.

Here’s the hard truth: if you regularly lose your cell phone, car keys, or kids homework- that is your routine.

So, it’s time to change up that routine for one that is beneficial to your lifestyle. Maybe you need to implement a daily chore list for you and the kids to follow. Or, maybe you would benefit from a family routine reboot.

You catch yourself yelling again…

Walking into your kids room to find it a complete disaster once again can make any mother lose her cool. This is typical and trust me, there is no judgement here.

However, if you catch yourself yelling because the kids didn’t listen again and again… they may need a routine in place to help them.

Routines make the listening and following directions part of being a kid easier to understand.

People benefit from repetition. It’s part of our human nature. A routine builds actions around the plans and goals we have for our kids. This allows them the ability to succeed in following directions.

If we want something to happen all the time we can build it into our normal routine to make sure it happens.

You may need a routine if you often find yourself running late.

Having a great out the door routine brings so much peace of mind. Especially with multiple children, it can be so difficult to get everything together.

That being said, take the time to implement some routines involving your bags, shoes, sippy cups or water bottles, snacks, etc.

Establishing a set routine for what stays in your “go bag” is key! You can also work out a family routine for what to do with shoes when they are taken off.. this is big.

Nothing can make you late (and frustrated) like running around the house looking for missing shoes. I’m pretty sure we have all been there.

Your family needs a routine if bedtimes and wake ups are off the rails.

Each family is different. Each family has different goals and proprieties when it comes to bedtime and wake-up. That’s ok…

However, deciding what works best for your family and sticking with a routine is a great way to stay healthy.

I can’t overstate the importance of sleep when it comes to growth and happiness. So, if you’re having to beg, plead, and threaten your kids when it comes to sleep… it’s time for a routine. If your little ones fight sleep every night or don’t want to do the bedtime routine… it means they think it’s negotiable.

You’re the parent, you choose what isn’t negotiable.

Do you find yourself needing to escape to calm down?

We’ve all been there… crouched in the bathroom scrolling on our phones. Escaping, trying to calm down, or just have some time to catch our breath.

When you get to a place where you feel like, “I simply cannot go on like this.” It’s time. A routine will help.

• Evaluate what part of your day is causing you trouble (nap time, independent play time, bedtime, etc.)
• Then, do some research on routines that can help with that operation.
• Implement and allow for some growing pains.

Routines are not just for the tired mom, or the mom who keeps loosing her keys. In fact, routines help everyone in the family succeed together. Yes, they change a bit through seasons and growth. But, establishing some healthy routines are extremely beneficial for family continuity and peace.