KEEP IT ROUTINE

Parenting is difficult enough but without a routine, it can become overwhelming. Routine is important not only for your sanity, but for the kids too. Of course, life happens and there will be days when the routine disappears into a whirlwind but, as much as possible, stay on track with a schedule:

regular Bedtimes for everyone – that includes you If the kids are in bed by 8pm, give yourself until 10pm to do some housework or relax with a movie.

Get home at the Same time every day

The demands of our working lives often mean that we end up working overtime. An understanding employer knows that you’re juggling family and work demands, so negotiate to take work home if you need to, rather than putting in the extra hours at the office.

dinner, Bath and a Story If you’re keeping to the routine of dinner, bath and a bedtime story every night, you’ll soon find that it doesn’t take that long for your kids to fall asleep. There’s a high level of comfort for you and the kids to be found in a sound settling down routine at the end of each day.

plan your Shopping Yes, make those monthly meal plans and intricate shopping lists. It helps, especially when you’re desperately trying to be creative in the kitchen after a long day at the office.

don’t Be afraid to mix it up once in a while

You can table it as a surprise outing, but we know you’ve been thinking about it all week. Just as you’re about to head the kids off to bed, surprise them with an early evening trip to the frozen yoghurt shop. Keeping things fresh like this stops your routine from feeling stale, and makes childhood memories that your kids will remember forever.