AREFA CASSOBHOY, MD, MPH:
All families need to relax the rules sometimes and maybe let
regular routines slide. But getting back into a routine is important for your
child's well-being.
Kids actually thrive when they have a regular routine. It
helps them predict what's going to happen in a world where they don't have a
lot of say. And it also helps them organize their time, so they know what
activity is appropriate for certain periods of the day.
So how do you get your child on a routine? First, decide
what's important. Getting ready for school, bath time, and dinner are all
critical parts of your child's day. Set aside a realistic amount of time for
those tasks. Then make room for downtime like play, reading, or relaxing.
Most kids will do better if you alert them to a change in
activity ahead of time. Give them a heads up when playtime is over, or bedtime
is coming up. You can set timers that the kids can watch and hear.
Most important, be consistent. If your routine regularly
falls apart, it creates chaos. And lax routines can even cause anxiety in
children. So even if they beg to stay up a little longer, stick with the
program. Sure, it's OK to be flexible sometimes. But what you want is for your
routines to eventually become old habit.
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