What is a family routine and what role does it play in raising children?

 What is a family routine and what role does it play in raising children?

"Betty is always stubborn to watch cartoons. If you don't show cartoons, she starts crying badly and if you show cartoons, her mind keeps on engaging in outrageous activities. If you stop the cartoon, you get irritable, then you don't like to eat or drink, and you don't seem ready to learn anything. Believe me, we are all very disturbed by this situation, an acquaintance said today. Talking about some of the biggest problems of yesterday's children.

Further details given by the gentleman also revealed that apart from studies, the girl had no schedule of activities throughout the day due to which her screen time was also increased and there were no healthy activities in her house. The only reason for these shortcomings was that there was no proper way or strategy for their family life which could be called routine in common parlance.

What is this routine?

The combination of our tied habits that we do automatically throughout the day is called routine (or routine) such as brushing our teeth as soon as we get up, changing clothes, etc.

Why is routine important?

Routine keeps any family strong and satisfied in 4 ways.

1- There is nothing better than routine in creating healthy habits, it is important for the development of favorite and positive habits in the family.

2- Routine family members also help to reduce stress (or stress) because the response to various issues is predetermined, so there is less disagreement and tension on small and unimportant things.

3- Routine acts as an engine in strengthening and promoting values.

4 - Routines instill a sense of security in the minds of children. Routine helps children to know what to expect from their adults and what not to do, as well as to let them know. What adults expect from them is something that instinctively instills confidence in children. Another consequence of this is that children develop a mindset to adopt appropriate behavior in difficult and new situations.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to routine.

1 - There should be no minute routine.

It is not necessary to pre-prepare a one minute routine from morning to evening, it has its own disadvantages and decreases the creativity and abilities of individuals, instead of doing a routine with a few important tasks. It is important to start with how to get ready in the morning or when to sit down to eat together as the effects of these small and normal routines will soon begin to show in children.

2 - Should the routine be changed?

Yes! Routines can be changed, good routines should always be flexible, routines can be changed due to sudden illness, traveling out of town or over-engagement of parents or other similar reasons, the purpose of routine is responsibility in children and It is important to create an attitude of independent judgment and not to maintain this routine in all circumstances.

3- The result of routine should not be an increase in stress but a decrease.

It is important to remember that the purpose of a routine is to reduce stress levels in the family and not to increase it. Talk to them, change it if there is room for change, if it cannot be changed, consult with children how it can be made easier for them.

A few tips for starting a routine.

The following can be done initially to help build a family routine:

1- Organize morning routine like getting out of bed as soon as you wake up, cleaning, praying or meditating, exercising according to your size and interest, healthy breakfast, thinking about arranging activities throughout the day, these activities. Connecting with important goals in your life.

Many successful people start their life with their spiritual routine like praying and every successful person starts their routine according to their own beliefs.

2 - Set up evening routines such as keeping the mood on the way home from school or office, taking a bath (and exercising this evening if you can't exercise in the morning), going to the park or favorite places with family a few days a week. Set aside, think about activities throughout the day (learned something new? Did you make mistakes? Did you do well? Did you work on your life goals?) Choose your favorite games, play and set flexible screen time. ۔

3 - Set up bedtime routines such as telling a story to children, reading a book, calming things like praying or worshiping in unison, etc.

4 - A few other things can be done.

- Keep expressing love to family members.

- Sit down to a one-time meal together.

- Listening to family members when they are upset or at least making their presence felt.

- Verbal and practical encouragement of a family member for a unique choice or job (such as becoming a professional athlete, painter, writer or storyteller, etc.).

If your family is having a good and quality time together even in the most difficult and busy days, it means that you have succeeded in creating a good routine.