Routines. We need them.

Writing a blog post every few days is hard to do. Especially when you have a little one.

Let us face it: those three hours our babies are in preschool each morning is GOLDEN (lol).

There is so much to do during those three hours, not to mention work, if you work from home. And when I am not busy with work, I'm frantically making my to-do lists and crossing things off to try to get them all done while there is PEACE and QUIET.

For example:
-make meatloaf
-fold clothes
-update calendar and respond to invites
-research Shaklee stuff
-workout

I intend to get all of these things done, especially when I am not busy with work. But sometimes I just like to use the 3 hours to sit in silence, or catch up on a show, or watch clips on youtube of mindless crap I can't concentrate on (oxymoron much?) while Levi is chatting and bouncing around, or READ my books.

Parenting is hard. It's really hard. And it's also a huge blessing.

I learn about myself almost every day, while Levi is learning too.

My moods. My habits. My intentions. Desires. Failures. Victories.

Kids change you, for sure.

One thing that's really helped me over the years, especially since becoming a mom, is having routines. Without them I think I'd go nuts.

I am learning to also try to enjoy not having them, especially when I'm on vacation or when it's the weekend, and just to be relaxed and still. But during the week, they're lifesavers.

Side note: I'm also learning that there is not as much time for things (like getting ready for school) as I used to tend to think there was. And that EARLIER is better.

For example, our morning routine before school consists of getting up at 8, dressed by 8:15, breakfast by 8:30, and from 8:45 - 9 we brush teeth, hair, and put on shoes. I've almost gotten it down to a TEE! I'm so proud of myself, lol.

It took me a while to figure this timing out, but once I did, the mornings became smooth as butter.

We throw in a couple odd and end things like crossing off days on his calendar and such, too, which helps set the tone for the day, I think. And helps him learn and remember what day it is!

I'm a big fan of routines. I think they help kids stay focused and on track, especially when the last thing on a four year old's mind is focusing. They are scatterbrained little minions.

We also have bedtime routines, too. And again, it took me a while, but I started getting him ready for bed way earlier than his (semi) 8:30 bed time. Because by the time it takes him to change, get his teeth brushed, and pick out his book, we've wasted a half hour and it's after 9 before his settling in. And I hate waking him up for school in the mornings if he ends up sleeping in.

So, we start the pajamas at about 7, brush his teeth around 7:30, and lounge around for a few until it's time to head into his room. It's been good.

Hopefully, through the years, these routines will help give him a sense for organization and show him (and us) they're necessary and helpful in life.

AND...they work!

Happy Wednesday friends. Friday is too far away...