Creating an Evening Routine

Are you tired of all the chaos that ensues when it's time to get everyone settled, each evening? Believe it or not, there is a better way! And the answer lies in creating routines. An evening routine can help your child thrive. It will also do wonders for helping to beat the battles that parents often face when the time comes to get everything accomplished before bed.

Why Routines Work Well for Kids

Routines help to set the stage for what is expected, as well as what will happen throughout the evening. They help children become more responsible and to do all of the things that need to be done. But one of the most important reasons why parents create evening routines is so that there are no more arguments about what needs to be done.

Creating a Routine

If you would like to create an evening routine for your child, you can easily accomplish that, especially if you use our weekday schedule chart. Simply fill in all of the things that need to be done, and then post it on the refrigerator or where the child can easily view it. Some of the things that parents may want to work into their child's evening routine include:

• Finishing any homework and preparing things for school the next day.
• Family dinner and the clean-up that follows.
• Chores that need to be done.
• The bedtime routine, which often includes donning pajamas, brushing and flossing teeth, reading, etc.

Getting Started

If you are ready to get started with an evening routine, and your child has not yet had one, the first thing to do is to patiently discuss it with them. Explain why having a routine is important and that, at this age range, you believe they are responsible enough to start completing such things on their own. With a little patience and consistency, your child will find that having the weekly schedule is helpful and easy to follow. You may even want to let them help to decide what should be on it, and to write it out. The more involved they are, the more open they will be to following the schedule. In the end, you will have found a way to eliminate battles and enjoy smoother evenings, and your child will have learned a skill that can last a lifetime!