While I may not be overly scheduled in my personal life, I have become acutely aware of how necessary this is for my kids, my wife, and my psychological well-being.
Now, I realize that life with children does not come prepackaged. As any dad can attest to, if there is one constant in raising kids, it is constant change. On the other hand, most dads can also affirm the hair-pulling reality of life without some built-in ritualistic patterns.
The interesting thing however, is how versatile routine building can be. Not only does it work for obvious tasks such as chores or pre-bedtime teeth brushing, but it also works for fun activities that may just build stronger bonds! I know, this isn’t mind-blowing stuff but the genius is in its simplicity. The whole point is to try to develop lasting ties that don’t sap all of our intellectual or financial resources right?
With that being said, why not mix it up a bit by creating routines around some fun things like bike rides or walks? How about developing a regimen for story reading, playing games, or just a time for catching up?
If you are like me, it is easy to “bring the heat” when my little ones lose their minds before bed. However, on the nights when bedtime is preempted by a Tour De France style bike ride, the chance of me needing my angry eyes is greatly reduced!
The interesting thing however, is how versatile routine building can be. Not only does it work for obvious tasks such as chores or pre-bedtime teeth brushing, but it also works for fun activities that may just build stronger bonds! I know, this isn’t mind-blowing stuff but the genius is in its simplicity. The whole point is to try to develop lasting ties that don’t sap all of our intellectual or financial resources right?
With that being said, why not mix it up a bit by creating routines around some fun things like bike rides or walks? How about developing a regimen for story reading, playing games, or just a time for catching up?
If you are like me, it is easy to “bring the heat” when my little ones lose their minds before bed. However, on the nights when bedtime is preempted by a Tour De France style bike ride, the chance of me needing my angry eyes is greatly reduced!
