So, you think you are too unorganized to implement routines in your daily life? Is your life chaotic and your house a mess? Do you fly by the seat of your pants, not knowing what will happen today or tomorrow?
Many people say that they “just can’t get into a routine” or they are “just not an organized person”. What they don’t realize is that they do routines everyday. When you get ready in the morning, you more than likely have a routine for how you shower, dress, do your hair, and brush your teeth. However chaotic it may be, it is your routine. If it IS chaotic and disheveled, this is a clue that you may want to tweak this particular routine. Nevertheless, this is what I like to call a “mini routine”.
Mini routines are the baby step to organizing your day (and your household.) Even when you have a difficult time setting up a daily routine, mini routines can work wonderfully. They make sure essential tasks get done, while still allowing flexibility in your day.
There is an endless number of min routines; From mealtime routines (which we like to call table chores) to morning and bedtime routines. These routines can help keep a family on task together if everyone knows the routine. You’d be surprised how your kids will pitch in and help without prompt when they know what is expected of them everyday during these mini routines.
A proper mealtime routine will ensure that your table, dishes, and kitchen are ready for the next meal. It will make meal prep easier, keep the kitchen and dining room tidy, & preparing your family’s next meal will not feel like a chore (like it does the minute you walk into a unkept kitchen.)
After each of my family’s main meals, everyone chips in. Certain jobs are better suited for certain people in the family, but we each have a job. We have even encorporated potty training into our routines. Our table chores consist of:
- Kids go potty & wash their hands and face
- Put away leftovers properly
- Rinse Dishes
- Unload dishwasher and put away clean dishes
- Load dishwasher with dirty dishes and start
- Wipe off the table & chairs if needed (My 3 year old usually gets this job.)
- Wipe of countertops, stove, etc.
- Sweep
Our kitchen is then ready for the next meal!
Morning routines serve to make sure everyone is ready for the day. With each routine, it’s good to include a few minor chores. If it’s part of your mini routine everyday, then it becomes much less of a chore, and more of an everyday part of life. We struggle with changing our morning routine the most. It is my goal to dress and ready everyone for the day before breakfast. Morning chores could include a basic list to get ready for the day plus one or two chores, say making the bed or bringing dirty laudry to the laundry room.
Bedtime routines are a very useful mini routine, both for organization and getting us ready for the next day so that we can start each day right (instead of dread for all of the things that need to be done.) Whatever makes tomorrow morning easier for your family should be part of the bedtime routine. You could pick out clothes for the next day, clean up toys, prepare a breakfast dish to put in the oven in the morning, take vitamins or medications, etc.
I find, the more that I follow these routines, the more likely I am to incorporate new mini routines to make things in our household flow even smoother. I will make little rules, such as we will eat lunch after toys are picked up. Having such rules insure that the little tasks get done each day. It also teaches our children to keep tidy, clean up after themselves, help our with what needs to be done, and keeps their minds and hearts busy and away from things like Television and getting into trouble.
When my son sees me doing the same things everyday, he not only sees the chores that I expect of him. He also sees the chores that I am in charge of doing everyday, and I have witnessed him pitching in where I never asked for his help. He automatically learns to serve within our family, because it’s just a part of what we do.
I know that an hour by hour schedule is not for everyone. I hope that even the most unorganized among us will be able to bring some order to thier home through mini routines. Remember to take it slow, and if it’s not working out for you, by all means change the routine! You’ve gotta make it work for YOUR family.
What routines does your family do and what do they include?
