5 hidden benefits of routines for family life
Family life can feel like a never ending juggling act, but something that can make family life calmer are routines, and knowing some of the benefits of routines may encourage you to start some.
Here are some benefits of routines that will make family life easier, and give you back some valuable hours in your day.
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They give kids predictability
Kids thrive on predictability, and one type of routine that creates predictability is a kid’s morning routine, which on a school day could look something like:
- 7:15am Breakfast
- 7:45am Wash hands and face, brush teeth and hair, get dressed
- 8:10am Shoes on
- 8:15am Leave for school
Having routines for children like this one, lets them know what needs to get done to get out the door on time, and it also creates a calmer start to the day.
Routines encourage independence in kids
Routines can encourage independence in kids by giving them ownership over tasks.
For example, in the kid’s morning routine discussed above, making your kids responsible for washing their own hands and face, getting dressed, and putting their shoes on, allows them to get ready without your help.
Some fun ways to communicate family routines, and let your kids participate in them are to use:
Routines reduce decision fatigue
There are so many decisions that mums have to make, having routines in place reduces the number of decisions you have to make, because they make parts of your day run on autopilot.
Some examples of how routines reduce decision fatigue include:
- Having a weekly meal plan means you only have to decide what to eat each night once
- Evening routines outline exactly what needs to be done at bedtime, so you don’t have to think about the next step every night
- Cleaning routines allow you to have set days for set tasks
They make you more productive
As routines detail what steps are needed to get something done, you don’t waste time thinking about what to do next, giving you more time to focus on other priorities.
Routines reduce mental load
As mums we carry a lot of the mental load, from school admin, scheduling appointments, household chores, and so much more, anything that can reduce the mental load of motherhood is worth a try.
Luckily, one of the benefits of routines are that they reduce mental load, because they allow reset systems to be put in place for certain tasks, so you don’t have to store all the steps in your head.
Some examples of routines that can reduce the mental load for mums include:
- A weekly planning routine, where you choose a day of the week to review your calendar, and schedule what needs to get done.
- Preparing for the next day the night before, or having set times for speed cleaning activities, make mornings easier.
- After school routines like set homework times, or following a bedtime routine, make nights less stressful.
The benefits of routines – a recap
The benefits of routines go beyond keeping your family organised, they help reduce stress and overwhelm.
Routines for children give them a sense of predictability, and help them to become more independent.
For mums, family routines help to reduce mental load by decreasing the amount time spent thinking about what to do next, or what to remember.
If starting a routine is something you’re interested in, start small. Pick one area of your day that feels stressful, and put a routine in place for it.
Once you feel comfortable, pick another area and start another routine.
If you could start a new family routine today, what would it be and why?
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