Habit training is a part of our homeschooling and family, and we most recently started working on morning routines for the children. I created these lists on canva.com, and it has been a huge help! (PDF’s are located at the bottom of this post.) I no longer am repeating to myself, "Make your bed, get dressed, put your jammies away, brush your hair, and did you put all of your laundry away?"
Now, I just say to Juliet (7), "Do your morning routine, check your list! I will inspect, let me know when you are done!" For my 4 year old, Daniel, I still walk him through each step. I trust that in a few years, he will be able to completely do this all on his own! Right now, he is just flexing the muscle of this morning routine. After some time, it will become second nature, where you don’t even have to think about it… a habit!
I make sure everything on their list is completed before moving on with our day, then they get a sticker. (As long as we do not have to leave for something.) I am not crazy about this. We do this most days but it’s no big deal is we miss a day here or there. I got this idea from Autumn Kern, who runs the podcast, the Commonplace.
I wanted to share to inspire you to create some lists for your children (and maybe yourself too)! Making a list like this takes the thought out of every morning for your children. You, nor your children, have to re-think every morning, what you have to do. It also helps with consistency. And so you are not repeating yourself....which can drive a mama crazy by the end of the day!
Teaching children tidyness, cleanliness, and discipline will pay off a hundred fold in their lives! We are privileged as mamas to teach our sweet little ones these habits and life skills. Habit training and discipline is a gift! Juliet and Daniel love their morning routine and actually enjoy having a clean room every day. They are so proud of themselves for accomplishing this right at the start of the day, and I am feeling more peaceful as our bedrooms are not flying! The atmosphere of our homes is so important and it can really give us more peace to have tidyness. Coming from a naturally messy person, let me tell you that this is possible for you, even if orderliness is not your natural inclination.
My sister and I shared a room growing up. Her side was always perfectly clean and tidy. Mine had piles everywhere. My drawers were bursting full of junk. I don’t think anyone in my family would have foreseen me keeping a clean room, and teaching my children to do the same every day. But the cool thing is that we can change as human beings! If we apply ourselves, pray about it, discipline ourselves, and commit to something, we can make a big change. It will take a lot of devotion, effort, and work and it will feel hard. But it is worth it!
I laminated these lists and hung them in the bathroom. The children have papers next to them so they can put a sticker on each day that they complete their morning routine.
Here a few books I recommend for habit training.
8 Errors Parents Make and How to Avoid Them, Michael Brock
Laying down the rails, Sonya Shafer
Laying Down the Rails for Yourself: Good Habits Are Not Just for Kids, Sonya Shafer
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