My Daily Routine

What every happened to predictability? The Tanners and Fullers might still be wondering in 2020, but they must not have looked too hard to find it because it is sure living in my household. I love routines just as much as I love finding change on the ground, watching airplanes take off and land, and doing crosswords in the morning. They're a pretty big deal to me. I love reading other people's routines. I love watching stories on people's routines. There is something about that tantalizing taste of predictability that really gets me pumped. The satisfying smell of familiarity that tickles my fancy. And the pleasant performance of doing the same thing day in and day out. 

With that said, it's important to keep in mind that routines are not rigid. They are flexible to deal with changes, to spice things up every now and then, and to keep you safe. Here are my routines for the weekdays and weekends. 

My Weekday Routine

• I wake up at 5:50 and lie in bed until 5:55. Every morning is started by attempting to do the 4 Things Gratitude Challenge. Before I can even check my phone, I must list 4 things that I am grateful for. This is a lot harder than it seems. Sometimes when I am dawdling, I just spout off family for the umpteenth time. But I am trying hard to really think and be creative.
• ​After that, I scroll through emails and maybe social media before finally getting out of the bed and making it. I eat breakfast which consists of a glass of water, oatmeal with peanut, and topped with a half of banana and a handful of blueberries and mangos. I help wake up my son and then finish getting ready before heading to work. 
• Work lasts roughly from 7:00-3:00. 
• Since my son is still sleeping when I leave work, I stop home to change and straighten up the house before going to get him. 
• My son and I arrive back home at approximately 4:00. We do not enter the house, but go straight into a walk/run. It's the way I get my exercise in for the day. He enjoys it and so do I. We listen to the Bobby Bones Show along the way. Fridays are our off day. 
• We come back inside around 4:30 and play until 6:00. Do I devote that whole hour to my son? No. I do "time ins" with him. I'll set my timer for 5 minute increments where he receives my undivided attention without my checking the phone. When Mr. Dinger rings I might busy myself with chores, work, etc. For example, on Tuesday and Thursdays I do a core and light weights routine. 
• Dinner is usually at 6:00. James makes it. I clean up. 
• The timer is set again after dinner for Henry to squeeze in a few more minutes of running around the couch. When Mr. Dinger sounds, we clean up and sing the clean up song. Henry has yet to help. 
• We go upstairs at 6:30 for quiet time and dimmed lights. Henry gets a bath every other day. In his nursery is where we change the diaper for the final time, apply butt paste and lotion, put on his pajamas, drink milk, read a book, say prayers, and sing a bedtime lullaby. 
• Henry is in his crib by 7:00.
• The next three hours are for finishing cleaning up, a shower, making lunch, Netflix, catching up with James,  reading, or blogging. 
• I am in bed by 10:00.

Weekend Routine

• Saturday and Sunday wake times are 6:30-7:00 AM. I would love to one day get up before Henry, so I can have a few moments to myself, but I have yet to master that. 
• Morning times are my favorite. Henry and I have some time playing alone in his nursery before heading downstairs for breakfast. He isn't fully energized, so he lets me hold him, cuddle him, and read/sing to him without trying to wriggle away. He is also full of giggles and smiles. 
• We eat breakfast around 7:15. Henry has cheerios and fruit. I have my oatmeal. I do my crossword puzzle (see above).
• If Henry doesn't have any morning activities, we play for a bit before going for a walk/run. Sometimes this is with his daddy, so I can finally run on my own without having to push a stroller. On Sundays, we go to church usually at 9:00 AM. 
• Nap time is 3-4 hours after wake time (This has been our routine from approximately 8 months to Henry's current age of 13 months). Henry has a snack before his nap.
• Henry naps at 10:00 AM, and I take advantage of the time by doing chores or errands or something more pleasurable like reading, blogging, exercising, or napping. I rarely watch TV during the day. 
• We seem to be averaging an hour and a half for the first nap lately. 
• We eat lunch. 
• I like to leave the house at some point in the day. Whether it is going to a park or playground, hanging out with friends, going for another walk, running to Target or the grocery store, browsing outdoor shopping centers, or reading at the library I think it is important to get out at least once.
• When we get back, we have a snack and then attempt the second nap. Henry seems to take his second nap during the week no problem, but as of the last month or so he struggles with it on the weekends.
• If he does take the second nap, yay! If he doesn't, we implement quiet time. He either quietly plays in his room or I hold and rock him. We make sure this goes no later than 4, so it doesn't interfere with bedtime. 
• If we have no plans, 4-6:30 passes much the same way as it does during the week. Play, eat, and get ready for bed at 7.
• 7-10 Mommy and Daddy parttayyy! 

And that is our routine! It is isn't set in stone and varies from weekend to weekend. Remember routines are flexible. Sometimes do we have to postpone a nap or skip it entirely? Yes, that's life. Occasionally, do I have to "ignore" Henry, so I get get necessary work and household projects done? Yes, it happens. From time to time, do we stay inside all day because well we don't feel like leaving or changing from our pajamas. Yes, of course. A routine is what works best for you and is subject to change. Let me know your routines! 

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​Lauren Barrett was born in New Jersey, grew up in West Virginia, went to college in Pennsylvania, and now lives and works in North Carolina. She is a high school teacher of the Deaf and hard-of-hearing by day, a cross country coach by the afternoon, a writer by her son's naptimes, and a full time mom to an amazing toddler. She loves her faith, running, visiting MLB stadiums with her husband, chocolate, scrapbooking, pretending she would actually do well on the Amazing Race, re-watching The Office, listening to Bobby Bones, and helping out all moms. She lives in North Carolina with her husband, James, and son, Henry.