Yes, a routine helps to give structure to the day. Routine, rest, regularity and structure gives clarity to a child about what’s happening, resulting in a feeling of safety. It also gives prediction where a child hasn’t yet the feeling of time. Same princeps count for people who’re confused or psychotic, it helps them get a grip of reality.

I never used to but realised that you do need routines for kids. I have older kids now and they still need routines too. I’ve also realised that I need routines too

I try to keep a routine that is loosely structured. Same things happen in concession that way the kids know what to expect and what is expected of them. I try really hard not to hold a hard structure as it makes me get more unsettled and angry if things don’t go to schedule.

I wish i was as lucky as you ladies! My bub wont nap during the day for more than 45 minutes unless im lucky! but she goes to bed at 6 and up between 630/7 am (7.5 months) and wakes generally 2-3 times for a feed. My 3 yr old sleeps for 2-3 hours during the day and has a strict bedtime routine – bath, dinner, play with daddy, 10 minutes reading a book and then bed – if we dont do this he has been having night terrors and this seems to work!

Our routine starts at 7 when my 9 month old wakes up and she’s pretty standard on her eat play sleep routine. So once she has a feed I know I’ve got X amount of time to go to the shops etc. recently she has changed her sleeping patterns during the day so I’m learning to adjust to that. But she’s asleep my 7 which has been the way for a while. For us routine is great I just need to remember that sometimes things do have to change a bit, and that it’s okay!

My routine has been pretty much the same since a baby (now 4.5yrs old). We started the 7/7 routine (bed at 7pm, up 7am).
Dinner 5.30pm, bath 630pm (yes usually take her an hr to eat!), straight into her room from the bath where we read some stories, then lights out between 7-720pm.
Having a routine has been great, but she doesn’t cope too well if we vary this (eg: go out for dinner). I think this is mainly because she’s so tired & so needs to be in bed at this time. (hasn’t had a day sleep since about 2yrs old)

Absolutely!
I have to be up and dressed before the kids in the morning.
I get up at 6, kids at 6.20
cooked breakfast
we all have morning chores
school drop off
groceries/errands or playground
home – lunch
toddler naps
down time or work 9work from home)
3pm school pick up
after school sports or homework
6pm dinner
baths
bed at 7pm

I try to be but it often doesn’t work. Children are always in bed by 7.30-8pm every night but the rest of the days sometimes fail horribly.
We eat meals at around the same time everynight and let the children know in advance if we are going to do something that we might not normally do (like visit grandparents or go out for dinner)