By Dinah Torres Castro
Every new parent has a moment when they realize life with a new baby is hard. But there is something that can make things easier…routine. Routines are repeated, predictable events that provide a foundation for daily tasks. Some parents resist establishing routines because they think, “I’ve got this…I’ll sleep when she sleeps and wake when she wakes.” But one day you find yourself overwhelmed with a crying baby, a sink full of dishes, overflowing laundry baskets, and you notice that it is past noon and you haven’t had a minute to brush your teeth! Ah, a set of routines would help right now. Having routines for infants is paramount to keeping your sanity. Keep things simple and start with key routines regarding morning, mealtimes, sleep, bath time and bedtime. Be consistent and soon baby will fall into the pattern you set. Routines will help you feel like you are a better parent because you’ll be more organized and less stressed. Routines do the same for the baby. If you start in infancy, continue through the toddler years as well as pre-school and into school age, you can instill a sense of safety and security that comes with having daily routines. Other benefits that come from routines include:
- Healthy habits—like brushing their teeth, washing hands after using the toilet, and getting exercise daily
- Telling time—Young children have no concept of time. By setting routines, you allow children to learn the order of events in their daily lives. For example, when we wake up, we wash and get ready (brush teeth, get dressed, comb hair, etc.) Mealtimes should also be routine and consistent—you can gently remind a child who is anxious to go to the playground that we first have lunch and then we go to the playground.
- Discipline—Routines help children learn self-control and can be used as a way to guide them and encourage positive behavior.
- Sense of responsibility— Chores done on a routine basis help children develop a sense of responsibility within their family.
- School work—Routines helps children develop basic skills and time management ability.
- Strengthens family bonds—Routines built around family fun or spending time together help a family to bond. Reading a story before bedtime, or going for a special snack after soccer practice are some examples.
- Reduces stress—Having normal routines can make it easier for children to deal with stressful events like the birth of a new baby, a divorce, illness or death in the family, or moving to a new home.
Routines help families organize themselves to get things done, spend time together, and have fun. Every family has its own unique routines that help its members know who should do what, when, in what order, and how often. Routines let children know what’s important to their family. Some meaningful routines are considered rituals. These can help strengthen shared beliefs and values, and help build a sense of belonging and cohesion in families.
On May 25th the Family Health and Wellness program will be presenting “The Importance of Routines for Young Children.” This parent education program addresses the topic in greater detail. This program is part of our FREE Spring 2016 Parenting Series that will be held at our Diabetes and 4-H Education Center at the Suffolk County Farm in Yaphank. If you would like to attend, please register with Jane Juran at 727-7850 x 340.
For more information check out the links below:
Love Learning and Routines:
http://main.zerotothree.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ter_key_social_routines
Supporting Infants and Toddlers and Their Families:
http://www.naeyc.org/yc/files/yc/file/201209/Rock-n-Roll_YC0912.pdf
Dinah Castro is a Bilingual Family Well-Being Educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County’s Family Health and Wellness Program. She can be reached at 631-727-7850 ext. 351 or at dc258@cornell.edu.