A predictable schedule offers structure that helps kids feel safe and secure. It may not always be obvious, but children want and need routines. In terms of behavior, they help improve efficiency and daily functioning. Routines affect life positively on two levels. The Benefits of Putting Your Child on a Schedule To make structure truly effective, routines need to be seen and implemented not just as simple behavioral strategies, but as a way of life. Usually, trying to implement a daily schedule doesn’t work because parents give up too soon. Every day becomes a battle, and we’re all worn out. Yet many throw in the towel after a few weeks (or even a few days) because the routines are not working. Many well-intentioned parents enthusiastically start out to establish the structure their children need. Yet there is hope - even happiness - in sight. But when you’re raising a child with real attention difficulties in the real world, setting and maintaining such routines can seem downright hopeless. Do something fun to unwind before a regular bedtime. Make sure homework happens at the same time and in the same setting daily. You’ve heard it before: Set up a morning routine for kids with ADHD to get out the door on time. The keys to getting the ADHD organization help you need: belief in the power of family routines and a long-term commitment to them. The kids have learned so many useful life skills since we started this.Īnd as a parent, I’m also better able to focus on my own work and relax because my kids can take care of themselves.All parents of children with ADHD have heard the routine about routines: Kids need structure, and children with attention deficit need even more. To Consider With Your Routines For Children Perhaps you need your own adult system? Or more structure when it comes to your own routines? Or a family system for papers or weekly meal planning printable? The possibilities are endless! Then, how else could a system benefit you? It’s time to do some brainstorming! There are a million things to remember! So, simplify and alleviate that mental overload wherever you can! When you have kids, things get complicated. This is just one example of why systems are amazing for structuring the day-to-day tasks in your life. If they really want the reward, they’ll let it go. This freedom to choose ends all our arguments. They just won’t get their reward if they choose not to. They always have the choice not to complete them. My kids haven’t done this in a while (for our routine at least) because it’s so automatic to them.īut when they do, I tell them they don’t HAVE to complete their checklists at all. Let’s face it: kids test you! They complain. Most of the time, these small actions are all it takes to transform your momentum. It just needs to be consistent.Īnd second, if you’re struggling to follow through, set phone reminders (so you don’t forget) and then set a good reward for yourself after a week of following through. Remember that it doesn’t have to be perfect. But that’s ok, because it’s still getting done. There are some weeks when their chores get left behind and my kids finish them on Saturday right before their screens. Put away dishesħ:45 Pack backpack (get ipads, snack, water), pack lunch if neededĤ:10 Do homework (or reading, spelling, sight words, regular timed study) Here’s an example with good kids habits.ħ:15 Make and eat breakfast. Older kids are usually in school, so you can separate kids’ daily routine into sections if you’d like. Of course, every routine looks different and depends on whether your child is in preschool or daycare, whether it’s during a school break, and what season of the year it is. 7:30 am: Eat breakfast and put the bowl in the sinkĩ:30 am: Structured learning time (busy activities, coloring, etc.)ġ0:30 am: Outside play or outing (library, park, playdate, etc.)ħ:45 pm: Bedtime stories for toddlers and other wind-down rituals
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