Schedules and Systems

Parenting can be a challenge to say the least! Putting schedules and systems in place can simplify and elevate your family life. 

Our days are filled with many choices. We need to structure our time (schedules) and the frequency and quality of the daily interactions (systems) in family life. Efforts to provide stability through schedules and systems will preserve needed sanity as mothers and contribute to our children’s sense of security by knowing what to expect! 

Functional schedules and systems are great for kids. They also help them feel confident, teach values, help to navigate change, feel less stressed, pass on ethnic or religious heritage, and feel safe, secure, comfortable, and independent. Schedules and systems help kids learn to be self-sufficient by teaching practical skills and problem solving. 

Moms are like doctors that can diagnose a problem and find solutions through different schedules and system tools that will lead to the best results. Repetition and predictability of routines fosters learning in children. Schedules and systems will allow more order in your home as you organize and adapt your day to better suit the needs of your family. A mom’s sanity can be preserved as she employs these tools to manage her home and its inhabitants. 

​To see some sample schedules and systems, you can visit this page — however, don’t try to just copy them because every family is unique!

Principles are truths that can be applied to a variety of situations. Here are the principles of creating schedules & systems for your family!

What is your vision for your home life? What do you want to accomplish? Is there a time of day or a specific activity that isn’t working for you or feels chaotic and crazy? You can set goals to improve your family time together and help your household run smoother. Know your purpose and what you want to happen in your home. Set goals based on what you want to achieve in your home.

Choose a schedule or system that will help accomplish your vision. What resources will you use to make it a success? How can you individualize the plan to your family? What will you need to accomplish your goals? Be specific about expectations.

When will this plan begin? Set a length of time for the system. Where will it happen? What tools will you need? How will you monitor your plan? Write your plan down. Plan out when it will begin and what you will need to make it successful. Let your family know the plans.

Ready, set, go! Give your new schedule or system a try. You are working to create lifelong habits and to help your family life run smoothly with more fun and eventually less effort. 

Are there incentives in place? Are they motivating? Do the kids enjoy them? Can they self-monitor or when do you follow through? Keep at it! Repetition is the mother of learning. Embrace it gracefully, be patient and remember, consistency and dependability lead to reliability and stability! 

How will you measure success? The systems you chose may need to be adjusted for optimal success with your family’s specific needs. Remember to focus on your family values and to make it fun!