Currently I have 4 kids, a baby to a 5 year old. They are not all doing exactly the same things all day long because of their different ages. However, with a routine in hand, I can manage them all and maintain my home without it getting out of control. It does get chaotic. And it is pretty loud. But there is order to the madness!
Having a set routine is wise. It doesn’t mean that you never ever deviate from that schedule, but it does help to maintain a somewhat basic routine each day. Kids feel safer and more secure when their lives are predictable and they know (generally) what is coming next.
Here is a sample schedule for 4 kids (5 years and younger):
7:00 // Everybody up and out of bed
7:05 // Baby gets a bottle
7:15 // Breakfast
7:30-8:30 // Play time in the house
8:00 // Baby goes down for First nap
8:30 // Play outside (if weather permits)
9:30 // Play date (leave the house if possible)
11:00 // Baby gets a bottle
11:30 // Lunch (back at home or out if feasible)
12:30 // Naptime/Quiet time (younger two nap in their own rooms, older two have quiet play time in the playroom)
1:30 // Older two have quiet time watching a movie or tv show
2:30/3 // Younger two up from nap
3:00 // Snack time/Baby gets a bottle
3:15 // Outside play time
4:00 // Creative Play time (coloring, play dough, puzzles, etc)
4:30 // Music and dance (getting all the wild out before needing to clean up)
4:45 // Clean up time
5:30 // Dinner
6:00 // Clean up/Bath time
6:30 // Bedtime Routine (go potty, brush teeth, jammies; stories and songs)
7:00 // Baby gets last bottle/Everybody in bed
This is just a general idea. Adjust the times according to when your kids go to bed and wake up in the morning. And adjust the days activities to fit your family.
