I’m a pretty structured person who needs routine. Life really flows easier with one, don’t you think? I’m not talking about a whistle-blowing schedule, but a regular flow of how a day goes. Especially with a family living together in a household, routine will help everyone know what’s going to happen and when.
Morning routine involves getting the coffee going, feeding the kitty, pouring the coffee into mugs, then heading to my Quiet place for devotions. I don’t make the bed, throw in laundry or empty the dishwasher until I’ve spent time with the Lord. Why not? First of all, I know that I need the Word of God to direct me. I need the Lord to direct my steps and guide my hours and my day. I also realize that one task leads to another. If I get started emptying the dishwasher and notice fingerprints on the microwave, I get out the glass cleaner and remove the smudges, then notice that a new towel needs to be hung on the rack. I get out the towel and straighten the linen drawer and then …well, you see where that’s headed!
After devotions, I make breakfast, clean up the kitchen, then get myself ready for the day. Then I start on the household tasks of laundry, vacuuming, dusting, bathrooms, etc.
After lunchtime I try to make sure that something is started for supper. I set the meat out to thaw, prepare potatoes for baking, cut up vegetables for a salad or begin making the bread. Even if it’s a meal that can’t be cooking in the crock pot, I feel a step ahead if I do a little prep after lunch.
Suppertime should be as close to the same time of day as possible. If everyone knows supper’s at 5:30, they can plan their schedule around that. Every family needs that time to connect and be a family.
After supper is an especially important time to have a routine if you have young children. Things should begin to wind down after the meal. Baths are given, books are read to quiet them, family devotions are shared together and prayers said. Then have a good routine of tucking in your children. I was blessed to have a husband that took on this responsibility with our girls. Each night he would read to them (the Mandy series was their favorite!), then they would pray and he would tuck them in. A regular routine makes the child feel safe and secure.
Another great routine is the after the kids are in bed. This should be time for Mom and Dad to spend together. This was often our date time when we had no one and no money for babysitters!
Then before you go to bed prepare the coffee maker so it’s ready to turn on in the morning. Set out breakfast cereals and the muffins, the bowls and napkins. Make sure book bags and lunches are packed and outfits are ironed and ready. Take a swift walk around the house and pick up misplaced items so that when you wake up in the morning you’re greeted with a neat house. It’ll make you happy to get up!
What routines do you follow to make your day run smoother?
With love,
RefreshHer 