Having routines is helpful for everyone including children, adults, parents, and caregivers.
Here are three reasons why routines are beneficial for children:
- Help Children Feel Safe: Children feel in control when they already know what is going to happen and are familiar with something.
- Help Children Build Independence: After a certain time of consistently doing something and getting better at a particular skill or task, children feel a sense of accomplishment and confidence in their abilities.
- Help Decrease Power Struggles Between Parent and Child: When children are used to doing something already, parents may not have to tell them what to do as much because the children are already used to doing it.
Some routines that you could incorporate into your day with your child, if you haven’t already, are bedtime routines, bathroom routines, and clean up routines. The routines do not have to be complicated. They can be as simple as doing one thing before another such as taking a bath before going to bed. Also, make your routines your own according to what you and your children like, and your lifestyle.
For additional support, talk to one of our Family Help Line Coaches by calling 1-800-932-4673 or email familyhelpline@parenttrust.org