Life isn’t always neat and tidy. Chaos can ensue, and mess can be made quicker than in the blink of an eye. But there are ways we can combat some of the craziness of daily life. Intentional Routines! I know we all try to get into them, but we must do more than try. We must make them happen. I remember the struggle I had in the beginning, but I found that taking it seriously and spending time to work out our big picture why was the key. A strong why will drive you through the growing pains of getting organized and in a routine. It truly can happen for you because it happened for me. If I can do it, literally anyone can. I will make a note here that routines must be made intentionally. Most of us are already in routines. They’re just not the routines we actually want in our lives because they have been formed subconsciously. Below are the top five reasons why intentional routines are so important for our families and family culture.

Reason #1- Stability and Courage

Routines can become a constant that gives kids the courage to be more active members in the home because they know what is expected of them and what needs to be done. For example, getting up at the same time every day and doing the basic things like brushing teeth, showering, and getting dressed allows children to take charge and do these things for themselves. There is also comfort and safety in their knowing of what will happen.

Reason #2- Less Arguments

Having a routine means you and your partner can make plans and decisions that you both agree on ahead of time. That way, you can present a united front for your children. You, as parents, will have fewer arguments, and so too will your children as they become attuned to the rhythms and flows of the household and learn to coexist with everyone in it.

Reason #3- Healthy Habits

Not only does it help our children develop lifelong habits, but it also helps us mend our ways and develop habits that will give us strength and longevity as we get older. We need routine as much as our children, so we don’t have to constantly think of what we are doing and use all of our thinking power on the things that could be simply habitual and almost robotic.

Reason #4- More Time

This is only possible when you begin to document your time and how you are spending it. What are you doing daily? Are you scrolling Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube? I know it can be difficult not to, but then you start seeing that 20+ minutes have passed, and in that time, you could have read your Bible, messaged a friend, or played with one of your children. The fact is, most of us don’t know how to manage our time well, and our routine, up until this point, has been unconsciously done. Our parents never prepared us for the screens we have today because they never had them. The way we can access information is just crazy when you consider the technology of the 80’s and before. Having an intentional routine helps you use your time wisely.

Reason #5- No More Winging it

No more if-ing and but-ing when we try to ‘wing it’. We can often be slowed down through constant decision-making. If we don’t have a plan and are figuring things out as we go, we always have to make decisions and waste our energy umming and are-ing over all the things that need to be done in a day. It’s much better if we spend the time before the moment so we don’t have a screaming child in one arm and another child saying I’m hungry in front of us. Overwhelming and stress take over in those moments; your mind is left frazzled, and the ability to make a good decision is almost impossible. Leaving you exhausted. Intentional routines and planning put an end to constant chaos.

Final Thoughts

Everyone in the household can benefit from a good, solid routine. Intentional Routines are the foundation of healthy living and longevity; that is what we all want for our children and ourselves. Even if you are in a bad financial situation or living somewhere uncomfortable, you can always make a change, even in the smallest way, to make things a little better, easier, nicer.