Okay, so last time I gave a brief introduction on the importance of routines. These routines that kids (and families) should follow aren’t exactly supposed to be rigid and time-based, but instead predictable sequences of events. These help kids have a concept of time and handle such situations with confidence.
I mentioned about my own routines. Working at home, my daily routine usually involves my younger daughter, “C” who is two years old. Every morning, we drive mom and her older sister, “P” to preschool (my wife works as a teacher in my daughter’s school).
When we get back home, I usually check my emails and catch up on the blogs I read. C then watches morning cartoons. By about 10 a.m., she would feel sleepy and I would get to bed with her until she sleeps. I then take this opportunity to freshen up and tidy up whatever mess we’d done, after which I try to start doing some work online.
By noontime, C would have already awaken, and by this time we would drive out to pick up mom and P from school.
I think this morning routine is very important since it helps establish to C that we need to have some time to work on our respective activities each morning. For me, it’s starting with work (remember, I work at home), and for her, catching up with her sleep with the morning nap. It also establishes our togetherness, particularly when I take her to bed when she’s already sleepy.
Occasionally, I would break the routine of my having to work. I would play with C and watch TV with her until she gets tired of me and goes on to play by herself. Sometimes instead of heading straight home, I’d bring C to a caf� and I would work on my laptop while she enjoys pastries and watches people.
I think kids do appreciate knowing what to expect in the course of a day, and knowing to also appreciate some changes when called-for.
Originally posted on February 5, 2007 @ 2:12 pm
