Why Sticking to Routines Can Make The Difference Between Sanity and Insanity

Benefits of having routines when having twins

When you have a toddler or two, there are many benefits to creating routines in your daily schedule.  Sometimes you may feel like life is chaotic, but when you have twins the feeling of chaos is there most of the time. When one twin is calm then the other starts up. Or they are both running around naked and writing on walls at the same time. Establishing a predictable schedule filled with routines, can help reduce this sense of insanity that we can so often feel.

Between the ages of one and four, your babies are beginning to become their own person. This is when it is most beneficial to begin with their routines and creating structure and predictability throughout their day. At this young age they are beginning to explore, climb and just about do anything that will drive a parent crazy. In between this craziness we need to find a calm, and establishing these routines will help do just that.  Having schedules when there are twins is a must!

How do you establish a routine?

 In my own home, naptime and bedtime were both nightmares. One twin would run and hide and the other would jump off the couch. They would laugh together and hide. I would have to drag them kicking and screaming up the stairs. It was not fun for anyone. Then I  realized there had to be a better way. I needed more of a structured routine, which I did not have.  I  started singing a song to get them to do anything, and started turning everything into a game. They liked the beat of the singing, so they would follow along.  I  continued to do this every day/night, until it became an established routine.  It took time,  and a lot of patience BUT now when mommy sings, they start marching and doing whatever it is I need them to do. They are now thriving with this simple routine.

So, how do you establish a routine for your twins? It does not matter what routine you are setting in place, consistency and repetition. This is what creates a routine. As a kindergarten teacher, this also works for the classroom ( and there are 25 kids)!

What a routine day could look like

Here is an example of the routines that could make up a day:

Morning

1.Wake- up/ Breakfast : Give your twins something calming to do that does not require direct supervision. Watching cartoons or a particular show at this time is perfect so you can make breakfast for everyone. If they are smaller, put them in the pack and play with some toys. I  usually give mine a bottle of milk to chill for a little while I    get everything ready. 

2.Play:  Hour to hour 1/2 depending on the age of your littles This is your time to interact with them. Do some puzzles, paint some pictures, and create play dough master pieces! 

3. Snack: Since a walk is next, feel free to give them a snack in a to go cup and take it on the road! Goldfish, Cheerios or pretzels are perfect for this time of day.

4. Walk/ Outside play/ park: Make this a habit, going out side every day (weather permitting of course).  Not only is fresh air great for health reasons, but it will get them hungry and tire them out. Which is why lunch and nap are next on the routine list. 

Routines help moms feel sane

Having a routine helps you as a mom too. Routines will help transitions and activities take less time, which leaves more time for you to do YOU! Once the routines you want established are set, bedtime or lunchtime, won’t be as frustrating because it is now predictable for your twins. Now, you can make up your own routine for yourself.   What are you going to do during this time you just created for yourself?  I make this time my priority to workout, read or work on my blog! 

Lunch 

I always like to give my twins lunch before a nap, this way they will sleep longer and wake up happy instead of screaming for food. 

Nap: Setting up a good bedtime routine is just as important as having a set time to have the nap. Examples of a bedtime/naptime routine could be as simple as singing songs so they know to go to their room. I like to sing and stamp the Mickey Mouse club house song while we march up the stairs. Make it into a game of “Who will win,? to their room.  Reading a book and singing a song are also good habits to do for bedtime, this will ensure that they associate nap time with the routine you established. 

 To keep yourself sane, you should use this time to do something for you. If washing the dishes or putting toys away is not something that makes you happy, then leave them. This quiet time is time for your routine. Read a book, do a workout, throw a load of laundry in and binge watch a show. 

Snack / read books/ color:  After napping, a healthy snack will hold them over until dinner. Then you can read with them, build blocks, play dress up or some sort of together time activity.

Walk/outside play/park: (If you did not do this before) Outside keeps them tired and sleeping well through out the night. So try and get them out as much as you can. On  nice day I  like to let them out for 20 minutes or so before I    start to make dinner. Afternoons are a good time for a chalk, bubbles or park if you did not go there before. 

Screen time:  Now is a good time to let your littles watch some tv, so you can cook dinner. Or some other quiet activity that will again keep them quiet and entertained so you can get their meal ready. 

Dinner /Evening

Creating an environment where dinner is dinner will help make the struggles of dinner time flow easier. Lots of time my twins have tried to get up and play and bring the other one along with them. Make sure they know dinner time is to eat and after they eat they can play.  This will ensure that they eat.  I  know how easy it is to want to let them watch the iPad while eating just for some quiet, but this will distract them from eating their dinner and later on might be hungry.  So, no distractions! Phones, Alexas and iPads should be put away so focus can be solely on eating and bonding. 

Bath time: Always make everything song and dance. Toddlers in general love games, dancing and singing. Theres bath time songs you can sing so they know its time to go take a bath.  You can even play it on your phone if you don’t like to sing. Singing in the bath is always a fun way to make bath time quick and fun as well. A favorite of my twins is the finger family song.

Healthy snack/bottle: Depending on your twins age and preference they can have a snack of choice. My son likes milk, my daughter prefers strawberries. Here are  some healthy nighttime snack options that help kids sleep better. 

Brush teeth/book/bed: Last thing of the day of course is bedtime. It is suggested that the house and activities are calm before bed as not to stimulate the brain before sleep. Singing a brushing teeth song for brushing time, followed by a book or 2, and singing night time songs. Putting twins to bed can be very stressful, but making it consistent will help make it a little more manageable. My twins know that I    song 3 songs and the last one is always a song I made up about going to bed. But when I    start to sing it they know it’s time to get into their beds. 

Conclusion

There are many benefits to creating routines for your twins. It may seem stressful at first, but being consistent and patient will help the transitions throughout the day flow much more smoothly. Most importantly, it will help you find more time for yourself and help you to feel like things are not always insane all the time. These little routines that help your day go a little more smoothly, will make you as a mommy feel calm and sane! 

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I'm 40 years old and a mom of 2 three year olds and a first grader. I am also a Special education teacher. My passion has always been to help people, which is why I started this blog.