Routines are wonderful

I love my routines. They have been a lifesaver this week and my kids love them. I really couldn't ask for a better outcome. We are a happier family, and more things are getting done. No one has asked do I have to go to bed and I haven't been late getting anyone to bed as I'm hurriedly trying to get people clean and read a story. Part of the trick we have learned is making sure you are creating enough time to do everything so your not rushing through things. With kids schedule twice as much time as you think you will need because they are like cats, easily distracted by shiny things. :) The other thing I have learned this week is that my kids are like me, they like being able to check things off of there list. They get a big kick out of getting out the marker to check things off. They will eagerly look for the next thing we need to do so we can check that off to. My oldest actually helped my youngest get his clothes around last night because he wanted to get everything done in record time.

I thought I would include our routines as a sample for you all. I'll admit they might be a little involved but they are what works for us. Also you might find this weird but I will do bedtime first because the key to a great day is really preparing for it the night before.

Bedtime:

• Wash up/take a bath
• put on PJ's (yes that has to be it's own item for my boys)
• snack
• check weather forecast for next day
• set out clothes for next day including socks
• get around backpacks, shoes, and coats
• make sure all paperwork for school is in backpacks
• brush teeth and hair
• read stories
• scriptures with pop quiz at the end (we can not read unless I come up with 4 questions to ask to make sure they are paying attention)
• prayer
• lights out

If everyone is taking baths this can take up to two hours simply because we like to have at least 30 mins to read stories sometimes more.

Morning:

• Get up
• Get dressed including socks
• Eat Breakfast
• Brush teeth and hair
• Family Prayer
• Check backpack
• Put on shoes, coat, and other outdoor stuff

Right now our morning routine is taking about an hour because man are we slow in the morning I think we spend 30 mins getting people out of bed. This morning I even had to physically remove my youngest son from his bed to get him up. We might try getting up 10 min earlier tomorrow my oldest suggestion which means 6:20....ugh wish me luck.

After School:

• snack
• check back pack for homework and papers
• get 20 mins of free time to unwind
• do homework (right now that's reading for 20 mins)
• place homework in bag
• help mom do one thing to bless our home (a.k.a a chore like clean there bedroom, make a bed, pickup toys in a room, take out garbage something simple and we set a timer for 5 mins so we won't take any more time than that).

So after doing all this for 3 days last night at 8:30 all my children where in bed asleep, my house was picked up and my dishes were all done! It's amazing what a few simple things can do for you.