No one wants to run their home like a drill sergeant. You don’t want to stand at the door with a whistle ensuring that the “troops” show up to breakfast and get out the door in time for school. Creating a schedule gives you the opportunity to keep the family moving in the right direction and getting things completed on time. From a morning routine to a weekly chore list, a schedule keeps everything balanced.
Along with a schedule, families need routine. In the morning, there are things that each person must do before coming down for breakfast. Parents can make up their own mind about what is most important in their home. Making the beds, getting dressed, or feeding the pets are necessary to get the morning started. Create a list and make sure that each person knows the expectation. Each item should be age appropriate. A preschooler may not be able to make his or her own bed but might be able to get dressed before coming to the table.
In the evening, a family once again needs a schedule and routine. Who sets the table? When do the kids complete homework? Is there a set bedtime? Parents answer these questions by teaching the kids the expectation and showing them exactly how to complete each task. Everyone feels successful, kids learn responsibility, and the parents feel a sense of accomplishment. While morning time and dinner time are not going to be hassle-free, there is a better chance that things will run smoothly.