Summer is coming to a close. And the relief that back to school time is finally here is all too real for parents after a busy summer with our kiddos. We're excited, but we also know it can be a very frazzling time for us. Our jobs keep us to a mostly stable routine regardless of the season, but our kiddos have been spoiled by the lazy days of summertime. To kids summer often symbolizes a relaxation and break from routines. While it's great that they're having a chance to just be a kid, without a gradual transition back into our school routines back to school becomes a battle of obstinate wills. However, it doesn't have to be this way. Initiating our back to school morning and evening routines (before they're actually needed) truly does make a difference. I know that setting up and instilling these routines may seem like an obstacle as summer comes to a close, but they're actually a teaching opportunity. Routines are so much more than a tool for getting everyone out the door on time or going to bed at a decent hour each night. Not sold on the idea yet? Here's some psychology backed reasons to make routines a part of daily life in your home.
Routines are an example:
We aren't born naturally gifted in self management. We have to be taught to prioritize tasks, problem solve, and organize our time to make the most of each day. Kids especially need patience and direction in this area as it takes several years for these skill sets to fully mature and develop. While we are working on teaching them these forms of self mastery routines can help. Routines are external rules and guidelines that set the example for how our lives should be run. They help keep order in your home while you child learns to internally regulate and have self discipline over their daily desires, wants, and needs.
Routines make your child more independent:
Well built routines quickly become habitual which allow us to act automatically. I mean think back to the last time you brushed your teeth. Did it require any thought, energy, or decision? Or did it just happen like it does every morning and evening? Routines are great because they allow a child to start their day without a lot of decision or thought. This is especially useful since adding sleepiness and grumpiness to their already growing brains makes even the simplest of tasks an insurmountable obstacle. Routines fixes that problem. And as it becomes easy and they master these beginner routines they become more independent and grow more confident in their ability to achieve and manage their life. Even the most anti-morning of us can survive any given day with the help of a good routine to buy us some productive time while we work on the process of waking up.
Routines help us cope:
Life is full of disappointment, surprises, and more curve balls than we care to count. Some changes like the death of a family member, a move, or a new school can be quite traumatic to anyone let alone a child. Returning to a sense of normal after life's hardships is the goal toward finding happiness again. We cannot shelter our child from all the things life might ask of them. And we shouldn't try too. Established routines help a child cope in more than one way. Routines are comfortable and gives a child a sense of inner safety and control amidst the change and chaos these life events cause. And anything that helps bolsters our child's resiliency is a practice worth the extra effort.
Routines are the foundation for success:
As adults we are required to prioritize, work hard, and meet deadlines regularly. And we know that sometimes things have to be done whether we feel like it or not. It takes a lot of patience and self discipline to do the things we know we have to first. Routines are the first step towards learning these vital life skills. Routines teach us efficiency and organization. It also helps you develop habits of self care, dedication, and hard work. These characteristics are like a muscle. When we require them to master increasingly difficult routines they are learning to overcome their self and are practicing vital warrior traits that will steer them towards success.
So there you have it! When you make a child go to bed or get up on time, consistently practice hygiene, or an instrument, or any other health conscious or goal oriented behavior you're doing so much more than making the transition back to school easier. You're setting them up for success by building the skill sets they need to accomplish whatever they want in life. So enforce those routines. And keep crushing it Warrior parents!
#RaiseAWarrior
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