Routines are a game changer for busy moms. We often try to remember daily routines in our heads, but somewhere, we forget something. As educators, we taught our students systems and counties for the first two weeks of school. These routines were essential to classroom management. As single moms, we have to adapt to that same mindset. Once we create routines for our kid(s), this becomes a habit and keeps everyone on track.
The best way to create solid routines is to sit down and write down everything you all do each day and try to put a time stamp on it. This can be a family effort. Getting the kids involved makes it sticky and gives them ownership. My kids help me out a lot. One of the things my son inherited from my late husband is being early for everything. My husband often said, “You’re late if you’re on time, and you’re on time when you’re early.” My son always makes sure we are early for everything, well, everything that involves him. (Not Sunday School lol). This helps me to be an on-time person. If the event starts at 10 am, I will arrive at 9:50 am. Not my son, he wants to be there at 9 am. Let’s get into steps to establishing a strong routine for our family.
Get the Kids Involved
First, you want to get the kids to write down what they do each day when they wake up. If they are babies, then you will take that task on. For example, when my kids were younger, they knew after my husband woke them up, they would go brush their teeth and wash their faces. Since only one of them could be in the bathroom at a time, the other kid would be putting on their school clothes (not their top to avoid toothpaste getting on their shirt). After everyone writes down what they do each day, you would plan a time to meet to discuss everything. This could be a fun Saturday or Sunday over breakfast or lunch. I have to be extra and pull out my teacher anchor chart with my different color markers to write everything down.
Get to Writing!
Second, you want to discuss what comes first with the kids. For example, my kids and I all will agree that we get up and wash our face and brush our teeth. If you need to have a kid get dressed while another kid is in the bathroom, then PLEASE show that on the chart. My kids, to this day, argue about who goes in the bathroom first, and they are teenagers! Your list may look like this:
- 6 am: Trey in the bathroom
- 6 am: Bailey putting on clothes
- 6 am: Mom getting breakfast and lunchboxes ready
- 6:10 am: Kids switch task
- 6:15 am: Get backpacks and lunchboxes together (this can also be delegated to the night before to save time) My kids used to put their snacks in their lunchbox the night before.
- 6:20 am: Kids eating breakfast, Mom getting ready
- 6:35-6:40 am: Kids are cleaning up their area and making sure they have lunchboxes and backpacks.
- 6:45 am: Mom doing a face and clothes check as everyone heads to the car.
- 6:48 am: Before pulling off, do a mental check and make sure you have everything you need and kids’ homework, lunchbox, practice clothes, etc… are all in the car.
- 7 pm: Homework 30minutes-45mintues depending on your kid’s age.
- 9 pm: Mommy’s time to relax
Home Sweet Home
Next, you will add your routine when you get home if you read one of my. The previous post about meal prep will save a lot of time because you won’t have to cook dinner. The kids should know exactly what to do once they get home. Whether it’s take your school clothes off and get ready to do homework or grab a snack. Delegate a time limit on homework to keep the kids on track. Know the time the kids will start taking their baths and who will go first. All these will be added along with a time stamp. Once you have completed your list, place it somewhere so everyone can see it.
It’s Time to RELAX
Lastly, make sure you take time for yourself. Being single is not easy, especially trying to keep order and organization with the kids. Be sure to add time for yourself because we are not good to our kids if we are overwhelmed and tired all the time. I often go to my room, close my door, run my hot bath, and relax. I have my Bambo tray set up with my face care, bath oil, and music. This time is strictly for me. This should be on the routine list so the kids will understand not to interrupt you unless it is an emergency.
Keep this routine posted for 2 weeks or 3 weeks if needed, but you can always make changes to it remember to go over any changes with the kids to make sure they know there was a change. Being reputation will keep kids focused and on track. You got this!