Being a mom can be so overwhelming. So much depends on you and keeping everyone and everything organized. Here's the thing, kids thrive on routine (and so do adults)! Here are five routines that I have found really help me with the chaos.
1. Morning Routine
Morning time with four boys trying to get everyone ready can feel a little insane. Thankfully we have a good routine though. We use the Hatch light to help us. When the light turns green, my boys know it's time to get up. My older two are able to get themselves dressed while I dress the younger two. Then we all head to the bathroom to brush teeth and comb hair. Once we are all ready, we head downstairs. I fix a quick breakfast, and they eat while I get my work things together. Then the older two know to get their lunchboxes together and put their shoes on. My younger two stay home with my mom watching them (so thankful for this!). Then we are all out the door and starting our day. My kids knowing the routine and what to do without having to be told (at least most mornings) is so helpful!
2. Shoe and Book Bag Station:
As soon as we come home from school, the boys already know to hang up their book bags on the coat rack. They get out their folders, lunch boxes, and anything else from their book bags. They place their folders and lunchboxes on the counter. Then they walk over to the shoe cabinet and put their shoes up. This may seem simple, but it has made a world of difference when we get home in the afternoon. No more book bags, papers, and shoes slung around the house.
3. Take it Outside Routine
After school, the first thing my boys want is a snack and the next is me telling them to go play outside. When everything is feeling overwhelming and I can't take the noise any longer, we got outside. I swear it's the hack to raising boys (and I bet girls too). Go outside as much as you can. Even if it's just 10 minutes, it will help!
4. Clean Up Routine
In the evening, we spend about 10 minutes after dinner and do a "contain the chaos" quick reset. Toys go back in the cubbies, books back up on the shelf, pillows and blankets back on the couch. It's not much, but it makes our home feel so much calmer before we start winding down for the night.
5. Bed Time Routine
Oh sweet bedtime. The only time my house is quiet, but getting there...that's a different story. When it's time for bed, my husband takes the baby up to give him a bath and get him dressed. I stay downstairs with the other three until he is done. Then we all go upstairs. I take over with the baby, feed him, and put him down, while my husband brushes teeth and gets the other three bathed and in pajamas. Then I come read a story to the toddler and put him down while my husband takes the older two to their room. Then I head to the older two's room to read a book and tuck them in. I turn their Hatch light red so they have a little night light and know that it's time to go to bed now. It's so important to me to get to read to my babies before bed and have that special time together. So for now, this works for us.
Every family is different but hopefully you found something in our routines that will help you. Motherhood with boys is wild, but these small routines make me feel a little more in control and calm. We've got this!
What routines have you found that help your family?
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