How often do you make a change?

What are your thoughts on change within your family’s routine? Do you hesitate to make them? Do you jump at the opportunity to switch things up? Are you somewhere in between?

Excuse me while I cut to the front of the line and say, I don’t often think to make changes within our family routine.

However, move the furniture around? Done.

Decide I want to read before going to bed? Also done.

But in all honesty, I’m not thinking about the big picture of our family’s routine often enough to know when we need to make some changes. There is so much natural multi-tasking that goes on with motherhood, and frankly I don’t like multi-tasking. There are so many details each day about what to do first, when, for how long, and giving myself pep talks before an upcoming difficult process (like bedtime with three littles), that I don’t always think about the big picture and our need to make a change.

Good thing I know this about me, right? I just need to be better at doing something about it ;)

One of our kiddos has not been going to bed well at night, and this has been going on for 6-9 months. I was dreading the thought of taking away their afternoon nap, so I think subconsciously I skipped over that as a possible solution and instead focused on other remedies.

But as life knows best, sometimes the best solution is the one that feels the hardest (at first). We have made some big changes to our family routine in the last few weeks, and that includes our bedtime boycotter stopping her afternoon nap so she is sleepy at bedtime.

And dare I say it’s working??? Because, Hallelujah, it’s working! 

Marigold takes her afternoon nap, and the rest of us “rest” through reading books, working on a craft project, building legos, or playing with dolls. Minimal talking, no electronics, and the older kids strengthen their independent play.

Because of this pretty big routine change, I’m bathing the kids before dinner and we’re eating dinner about an hour earlier than we used to. I’ve found this new routine gives us something cozy to look forward to come late-afternoon, since all of my children love a bath/shower. This new routine gives us enough time to get the essentials done without the rush of the clock striking 7:30pm.

And perhaps the best gift of all: I have a couple hours to myself to unwind, be with Zack, and get to bed on time. All very important things that help me thrive as a mama!

I was journaling recently and I actually wrote this note to myself:

Don’t be afraid to make a change! I am their mama, I am in charge of their well-being. Every few months my children show me the changes they need, and this happens naturally as they develop and grow. As they get older the signs may be less obvious, this instance right now is a gentle reminder to stay ahead of them and NOT to be afraid of change. I can do this!

PS. currently reading this book, and this is on my “to read next” list.

xx