Routine and Toddlers

Amelia is routine mad! She loves it. I have my phone set to beep to remind me of certain things through the day so I make sure and fit them in. Morning snack, lunch, dinner, bath. Amelia loves knowing what comes next. When the phone beeps she goes to the fridge for her fruit snack or asks to "peeeeeeeeas" (please) get up to the table to eat her food. She knows when story time is due and brings her books, she knows mornings after snack are usually creative times with painting or drawing. She knows after nap she has a snack and then we're outside to play for a while (when it's not pouring of course)

Amelia is very opinionated. She knows what she wants and nothing will stop that girl from getting it. God help us! I find that with a routine, she feels more in control because I never have to demand that it's time to eat or time to sleep. She knows what comes next and she'll lead the way. Her way is my way. So it works!

I've read that routine makes a toddler feel more secure, and also helps them learn because everything is repeated. I guess this is why Amelia has surprised me with the way she picks things up.

Also, routine means we get to spend time together as a family. My husband works very long hours at the restaurant and so by the time he gets home Amelia is snoring away. Being on routine means we're all up, dressed and ready to start the day at the same time and we can sit down and have breakfast and take the 3 hours we have in the morning slowly. It's the only time Amelia get with her daddy so her daily and bedtime routine helps up to keep that a morning option.

Of course there are days when routine goes out the window when we're out or have errands to run but I always try to keep some things on time. Mainly her meals because it's easy on the go. I can't exactly take out the paints and paper in the middle of ikea or something but you get the idea.