Common Sense Parenting - Structure And Routines

In today’s world structure and routines are an essential part of everyone’s daily life. This is especially important when raising a child. Without structure or routines a child can become very difficult to work with and parent. Make your parenting easier by establishing structure and routines early in your child’s life. According to Webster’s New World Dictionary; structure means: 1. Something built or constructed; 2. The arrangement of all the parts of a whole; 3. Something composed of related parts. When I asked my husband to tell me what he thought the word structure meant in a family he kept giving me examples of routines. I think that the third definition is the most likely when defining a family structure.

Let’s talk about family structure. Traditionally we think of a family as a mother and father and their children. In today’s world that has changed to include same sex parents, single parents, adoptive parents and grandparents raising their grandchildren. Whatever family structure you may be a part of it, it is important that your children are well balanced emotionally. This is where family is important. Structure is simply how your family interacts with one another in a positive or negative sense. Try to keep everyone in the loop who is a part of your family unit. When dealing with raising a child it is important that everyone within the family agrees on how to deal with the important issues that come up for that child.

Webster’s defines routine as a regular procedure, customary or prescribed. Every child should learn a routine as they grow. Simple routines are making your bed every morning. Keeping your room clean, putting up you stuff. Brushing your teeth after breakfast and dinner and washing your hands after using the bathroom. As your child grows they will have additional routines. Doing your homework at a set time each day. Going to bed by a certain time. These routines are important.

Routines are something that follow us throughout our lives. No matter how old we are, we all have a set of routines that become a habit. Routines keep us organized, on track, and often prepare us for getting the simple things out of the way. If you were to take a look at those people who have become successful in their lives, you probably would find that they follow a routine everyday.

Starting your child(ren) at a young age getting used to set routines is important, especially when it comes to school work. Studies have shown that children who have a set routine for studying and doing their homework, do better in their classes. Children who are used to some kind of routine will do better in school.

Parenting today requires many of us to work around everyone’s busy schedules. Think about setting up your routines so that they don’t interfere with those schedules. Try using a calendar you can post on the frig listing everyone’s schedule and any routines that are important. Be religious about following the routines you set up.

By: Wendy Greif

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Wendy Greif is a mother and graduate of USF in Special Education. She has taught children with various disabilities in both South Carolina and Florida. Mrs. Greif now runs an informational website for Special Needs Children and Adults ( www.specialneedschildrenandadults.com ).