Finally In A Strict Routine With Our Youngest Child

Third children are utterly unique in that as a parent, you’re so exhausted, you tend to be far more laissez-faire with them than you were with your other two.

I’ve said it before but three children really equates to thirty three children and as a former teacher, I know what thirty three means!

It’s busy with a trio of kiddies, and I while I like to be busy, it’s often intense; yes, your heart is bursting with love, especially when they’re asleep-ha- but you do have to be organised, diligently so, as your time is divided by three and there is always something you will need to do for at least one child at any one time, and often all three, simultaneously.

It has taken us a while to get into a routine, mostly because Florence has suffered with various allergies, that she has thankfully grown out of recently, which held us up a lot with tummy problems in the night, as did staying with my folks whilst we bought then renovated on our forever home, and it was often rather chaotic and loud there-as well as wonderfully warm and helpful too! But, admittedly, my husband and I were also stretched with homework and extra curricular activities with our other kids and found it easier to be more flexible with dinner and bedtimes. Florence was still getting enough sleep but her bedtimes would vary.

After a carefree Christmas period and far too many late nights, we’ve recently become consistent with dinner and bedtime and are seeing the benefits. Dinner has moved to the earlier time of 6pm with bathtime, before some warm milk, teeth brushing and reading a book together before lights are dimmed, and Florence asleep by 7.30pm.

If the boys have clubs, my husband takes them or we alternate and then the evenings are more free so we can help the older children with their homework, or watch TV together. It’s so wonderful getting more quality time together, especially as my boys are 15 and 12 and are tired of watching Peppa Pig with their 3 year old sister!

We have a baby monitor upstairs with connected cameras in most of the rooms downstairs so I feel happy with Florence sleeping upstairs whilst we’re downstairs. It’s also meant my husband and I get more time together, watching or having a glass of wine on an evening, something unheard of before the routine.

I was reluctant to get into a stricter routine to be honest. We had one when Florence was a baby and in that first year, but when the allergies started after a stomach bug, it was easier to be more flexible, especially as we were so tired from the night wakings (Florence stopped being a ‘good sleeper’ at 4 months old when many babies experience sleep regression). We also liked how convenient it was to change dinner times based on what we were doing on the weekends or in school holidays for example.  Now the challenge will arise, when we go away for the weekend on Saturday. We’re determined to stick to the routine so wish us luck!

Do you have a strict routine?