Q: How do you know when one of your schedules or routines needs to be retired?
A: When it stops working for you!
So what about a deep dive into the what, why, and how of setting up a new routine for your family?
Because you need support on EVERY step of your parenting journey, not just the pretty stages.
If this sounds right up your alley, just keep listening!
It just feels wrong
How do you know when it’s time to alter your routine? Number one, when something regularly feels “off” about your day.
You know the feeling – you can’t QUITE get everything crossed off your task list (but you could swear you did, just a few weeks ago).
Or your kids are suddenly whining and complaining when last month, you felt like you had it pretty easy for a bit.
What changed?
Go ahead and dig for a bit. I’m going to bet the answer is something about your routine – whether yours, the kids, or the family as a whole. Something’s different – and no, you’re not imagining it.
You’re juggling another ball
When do you need to change up a routine? Number two, if there’s something else you’d like (or have) to add to the family schedule. (Whether that’s a baby, an outing, or just a walk to the park every day.)
Your day functions with four kids; to add a fifth, you’re going to have to rearrange – it’s just logic.
So give yourself some grace, allow yourself to feel the emotions about pausing the morning routine you love, and get down to brass tacks on what WILL work for this new season of life.
It’s the only way to move forward.
What about you? Are you adding another kid to the drop-off schedule (or your school-at-home crew), another instrument or sport to your extracurricular roster, or even just an additional playdate/coffee time with friends to your week?
Any of those (good) things are still going to mess up your schedule. So it’s time to make a new one.
Will I have the energy to do this chore at this time of day after my new commitment is added?
Can you handle everything?
And here’s how to do it: Go through your day, task by task and time slot by time slot.
With your new school pickup, piano lesson, or playdate in mind, evaluate each one: Will I have the energy to do this chore at this particular time of day after our new outing is added?
And if not, is there a different time of day that sounds better? Maybe you don’t need to start the crockpot at 8am anymore, but you DO have twenty minutes before you’ve got to pick up your kindergartener.
Start shuffling every single thing in your day (and week) and see where you end up.
And if there’s anything left over? Something that stubbornly won’t fit? You’ll need to consider dropping those to-dos for a month or two.
Your sanity is worth more than from-scratch biscuits every night plus five books read and spotless floors. Pick one – and delegate the others to your kids. (Or drop them completely.) It’s okay.
What needs changing in your schedule right now? Where is your day going haywire – consistently – when it used to just work?
Let’s hit your trouble spot with some of that “do I have energy” logic, plus a little “what if I meal prepped here” brainstorming, and get you all set for this new phase in life.
You deserve to start it on the best footing possible.
