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Step Three to a Happy No TV Family; Creating a Daily Routine
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Going outside to explore the world is a great way to spend some time every day!
One thing many parents do is confuse the word "routine" with the word "schedule". Scheduling your family means that you follow a clock, not the natural rhythm of the day (which changes all the time); at 7:30 we have breakfast, and at 8:00 we get dressed, at 8:30 child plays by herself while parent cleans up, at 8:45 we go for a walk and are home at 9:00 for a nap which ends at 10:30.... I've seen people do this... it causes so much stress if you think you have to stick to something like that! So rather create a Routine. A routine helps you flow through the day. Here's a sample routine:
Wake up
snuggle time
Breakfast
clean up
Get Dressed
play
go to playgroup
come home for lunch
read a story
take a nap
wake up and snack
play
dinner
bath and books
bedtime
This is a good routine if you have a child who naps once a day. Notice that there isn't a whole lot of structure. It's just common sense. There will probably be a snack at the playgroup, playtime can be child playing alone OR playing with the parent, whichever the child needs at the time. If the child is happy in his YES room for a while, you can do some laundry, or pay bills, whatever needs to be done.
Also, Toddlers and preschoolers love to do what you are doing. If you are folding laundry, give them a few washcloths to "fold" if they want. If you are doing dishes, let them splash in a basin of water (keep your eyes on small children around water though!!) or stand at the sink and "wash" unbreakables with a cloth. If you need to vacuum, you can wear your child on your back and get some good exercise. If you need to sweep, let your child play with the dust pan and hand broom. If you are cooking dinner and your child wants to be with you, get out a few pots on the floor and let him serenade you with his drum solo, or put one pot on the counter with a little water and a spoon and some different spices (cheap ones) and let them "make soup", or play with playdough in their high chair or at a small table. If you do let your child in the kitchen, make sure you've childproofed it, and leave one or two drawers unlocked as YES drawers, the towel drawer, and the plastic storage containers, or something. Use different drawer pulls so they recognize "Their" drawer. Including the child in your routine makes them feel useful, gives them self confidence, and that makes a happy child, and THAT makes a happy family!!
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