Daily Routines

Routines for me are the secret ingredient to get through most of my parenting days. We have our morning routine, a meal routine, a nap routine, a bed routine, and so on and so forth. Now that my nap routine is fairly successful, it is almost enjoyable. Once I turn off the lights and turn on Hanna’s white noise she lays her head down on my shoulder pops her left hand fingers in her mouth, her right hand twirls her hair and she’s ready to lay down. It’s like magic!

I also love our night routine – laughing together as a family as the girls run around being silly. Followed by pajamas, brushing teeth, stories, prayers, and a little “I love you” song I sing to the girls passed down from my parents. Now Ellie sings it with me:

I love you Ellie

Oh, yes I do.

I love you Ellie

‘Cuz you’re so true.

When you’re not with me

I’m blue.

Oh, Ellie

I love you!

I’ve also started a fun routine to take pictures of the girls. It is hard to capture all the adorable memories, so I try to take a quick picture of them every few days in the same spot before we leave the house in the morning.

I think it also needs to be said that although routines can be great, it is also fun and important to break them occasionally. I think my favorite is breakfast for dinner! Today we tried a new little hiking adventure with our friends. It was during nap time, so I was a little nervous, but we had a blast and I always leave a new experience feeling proud that I tried something new!

What are some routines that get your family through the day? What are your favorite ways to break routines?