I’ve always hated routine. Before the Tsunamis I was the kind of person who would mix up the route to work so I didn’t have to do the same thing day in day out. The thought of already knowing today what I was going to do tomorrow was enough to make me feel a bit panicky.
Perfectly suited to young children then!
It’s something I’ve struggled with all my babying years. When I became a mum, I knew I’d need to embrace a routine and in the early days I went so far as to ‘Gina Ford’ Maxi under the assumption that my lack of routine was causing his sleeplessness. Turns out Max doesn’t really like routines either. It was a total, unmitigated disaster and the month we spent with meany Gina was easily the worst month of my parenting career to date.
After Max refused to be Ginaed we moved into a more loose routine where as long as a pattern of feed, hang out, try to sleep prevailed, we were satisfied. I managed to handle the drip, drip, drip of a routine provided I got out of the house every day and did something completely new as often as possible.
Three Tsunamis in and these days I actually enjoy the rituals of every day living. I still need to break things up every now and then, but I’m much happier in the pocket of routine. I’m lucky that most days are different in Maxabellaland (the Tsunamis go to different places in the morning or I’m home or I have class in the evening or… something!). It all helps. I still think I would go nuts if every day was exactly the same. In fact, I’m certain that I would.
Do you get regular breaks from your routine? Or, even better, are you lucky enough to thrive on routine?
[Image from My Sweet Prints]
MMBB says
I don’t have a routine, I never really have. I’m just not a ‘do everything like this every day’ sort of person. I forget things constantly and am easily bored. I want to have a routine, but it just doesn’t stick.
For this reason also, I am not, and have never been on ‘the pill’. I just can’t remember to take something everyday lol
Teresa says
I do have somewhat of a routine since one my children really needs that (unfortunately). I do find it one of the hardest things about parenting though…too mundane. I love to break it up sometimes and I’m hoping as my kids get older I can go back to some more spontaneous living as a family..I’m sure we can!
x0xJ says
I am sadly a creature of habit. To the point of i have routine for my housework even! lol.
Master B shares this with me, Master D? Well, he stems from his father and HATES routine (to a point). SO hates routine and is always complaining how boring i am, but frankly i know what to expect this way, and it’s just easier rather than get stuck with something nasty.
Kelly says
We have a bed time routine for the kids but other than that, no routine. I get bored easily and like to mix things up.
MultipleMum says
I’m having an anti-routine week. I have done everything in my power to have no routine at all this week. It has been fun but I have to say that I am exhausted! Like you, I don’t do routine by choice, but it seems to have become a necessity. Bother!
Little Ted Canvas says
I do need routine, it’s like religion around here! Sad, yes, but my kids need it too, when we are on holidays we let our hair down a little, anything goes..most of the time..but then everyone gets a little crazed after a while & it’s back to the old routine and all is well again. I think it’s beacause my babies were never good sleepers, so I had to get organised & be on top of things because I never knew when I’d have the time to get to it during baby waking hours (which was most of the day & night!) but I do believe it’s genetic, my mum & all my aunties are super freak organised!
Good Golly Miss Holly! says
I loathe routine, it bores me yet I’ve come to appreciate it in small doses since becoming a Mama.
My Bug has never needed routine, she’s always been one of those flexible just-happy-to-be-here types. The Boy, on the other hand, has always functioned better with a basic routine; Awake at 7am, nap at 12:30pm and bed at 7-7:30pm. So as much as it bores me, I push on because I know it helps to make our house a happier place!
Little Ted Canvas says
I love that picture, is that in you house? Where might I find one…
Becky says
I was never really a big routine person, but after the bubs I had to have an eat and sleep routine to keep me sane and them from getting grumpy.
Draft Queen says
I’m all about routine. I like to mix things up, but really, certain things need to happen every day.
Like the kids in bed at 8:30.
Everything else is negotiable. 😉
Justine@msdilemma.com says
Oh the dilemma of routine!!! aggggh. I love it AND hate it. The love part is that it makes Acacia function really well ~ to the point where it gets to 7pm and she’s going “bed time now??” but its also unbearably BORING!!! Ugh. Same old thing day in day out. Bleh. Time to shake it up a bit for summer I reckon xoxoxox
JANE says
Ah, yes, Bron, the hoary old chestnut. It divides parents into different camps, that’s for sure. I posted on it at
http://lifeonplanetbaby.blogspot.com/2010/08/r-is-for-routine.html if you’re interested. And yes, Janette is so clever with that bedtime bus roll – it takes pride of place in the pixies’ bedroom. Mia Freedman has also blogged about routine today at Mama Mia – well worth a read. J x
Bron @ Baby Space says
I’m more of a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants gal too and find the bub routine quite challenging – but it works for me. Too much chaos without one.
p.s There’s a wee bloggy award for you over on Baby Space today 🙂
PinkPatentMaryJanes says
i’ve gone from free ‘n’ easy to regimented routine – and boy, do i love it. Meal planning, strict-ish bath and bedtimes, time-tables – bring it all on!
Cate P says
I alternate. I like routine, then I get frustrated and bored with it and want to be spontaneous and disorganised. Then that leads to chaos and stress and I go back to routine. Never-ending circle.
Mama Hen says
Children do well with routine and I think I do also. I used to get a lot done when I was working full time. Being a full time mom I think changing the routine at times can be fun! I try to keep a bedtime routine because it really helps my daughter to get a good night’s sleep. Have a great week!
Mama Hen
Kymmie says
My children need routine… or is that me? Hard to know really! I have routine, which includes a daily outing – and that is different every day. (We like to mix it up a bit – how daring of me). Working from home means that if I don’t have a routine, then everything goes pear shaped very quickly.
I love the diversity of every family. None are exactly the same.
Annette says
I just took a career interest survey (for fun–I know I’m weird) and my highest ranking category was sadly “conventional”–meaning I thrive off of routine and set schedules and responsibilites. However, although I know this about myself too, I surprisingly don’t plan out my days very well, which often leads to disorganization and a frazzled me… I think I need to either start making a schedule or start learning to “go with the flow”…
life In A Pink Fibro says
It’s all about routine in the Fibro. It works best that way for us.
Lulu says
I think when your babies are really little it’s good to be flexible and do whatever.
When they get older I think they really need it.
Aspy boy needs routine or sparks start coming out of his ears. He HATES routine on the outside but feels better for it.
But if you do something out of left field the kids think it’s a carnival around here…cheap thrills *giggle
Melissa@Suger Coat It says
Hmmm. I am a routinely under routine’d person. I have a vague plan for most days. And I usually follow it. Sometimes it goes phenomenally off track. But if I get everything done I’m happy.
Cat says
We too are a fairly routine household and the Bebito did respond well to one when we put a rough plan of attack in play it improved his night sleep immediately. I mix it up a lot during the waking hours but we all thrive a lot better when we get things done and the only what that happens is with a routine. I envy those who still fit it all in without a routine.
Lucy says
I like a groove. Not a rigid routine, but a groove.
Our weeks kind of have a nice pattern to them.
My kids are able to predict what’s happening tomorrow….which is nice, for them……
Glen says
routine is great – but only when it is spontaneous.
Kristy says
I love routine. I get anxious without it. But every once in a while, I do crave something exciting or else I fear I may just start banging my head agains a wall for fun.
Belinda says
We have a routine especially at night. We do enjoy tge flexibility and the fun when we are out of routine. It’s a party at house.
X
Gina says
I think I’m down the middle. We have a rhythm, but it’s pretty flexible. There’s enough that is predictable/familiar to help us all feel a bit secure, but spontanaeity is definitely allowed. I’m pretty scatty with details (like, um, remembering to feed my offspring!!) so I’ve had to put a bit of stuff in place so these things occur. But we’ve never been by-the-clock. Crap sleepers and clocks are a tortuous mixture!
Cassiopeia says
Oooooh. I thrive on routine. Everyone teased me that I ran my home like a day care when the kids were little, even scheduling playdates, and then when I homeschooled we had a set routine that included swimming lessons and sports at the YMCA and outings on certain days. Now without kids determining the routine it feels even more important with the two of us “retired” and at home.
I even make schedules for holidays so we can fit in everything we want to do!
Do I sound like a fanatic?!
spectacularfairywren says
this bloglink totally caught my eye – and upon reading, we share some same-same edness…
Unfortunate now , that they are called the tsunami’s – i had to read the side bar and got up to date!