Daily Routine for Kids

My husband and I have been working on a new daily routine for the girls since we have moved. It's actually been an easier adjustment for them than it has for me. Since I drive them to school and pick them up, they get to sleep later and get home earlier than they did when they rode the bus. In addition, they get to eat breakfast at home instead of at school and they really like that (plus I can make sure that they are eating well).

Anyway, back to the schedule issues. My girls are messy, very, very messy, especially Ems. I'm not sure why, but they are. At the old place, I would go into the bathroom after they had left for school and it looked like a cyclone had hit it; hair dryers and straightening irons still out, clothes on the floor, and toothpaste and hair in the sink. It was definitely not the first thing I wanted to see in the morning. So, I am bound and determined that it will not happen in our new apartment. They have to clean up after themselves in the morning (especially the hair and toothpaste in the sink), no ifs, ands, or buts. I can deal with a dish in the sink instead of in the dishwasher, but the bathroom is another story. Thus the Daily Routine was born. Here it is in all its glory.

MORNING:

• Wake up and Make Bed
• Get Completely Dressed; Put Laundry into Basket
• Fix Hair and Makeup for the Day
• Clean up Bathroom Counters/Dresser Top
• Eat Breakfast; Rinse Dishes and Put in Dishwasher; Make sure counter is clean
• Brush Teeth, Wash Hands, Make sure sink is clean (hair free)
• Be ready to go at 7:20a

AFTER SCHOOL:

• Coats, Shoes, Backpacks put away
• Snack
• Homework done; Placed back in backpack when completed
• Put away clean clothes in room
• Play time
  
• Dinner
• Daily Chores
• Pick out Clothes for Next day

BEDTIME:

• Showers; Put dirty clothes in Basket
• Make sure rooms are clean
• Brush Teeth; Make sure bathroom is clean
• Chat with Mom and Dad
• Put Coat, Shoes, Backpack at top of Stairs
• Bedtime!

This is how they left their room this morning. I can't believe I'm actually showing this since it's embarrassing, but at least you know what I'm dealing with here. And, this isn't even showing all of their room! Alex likes to complain about it because she feels that she doesn't need one, however, she's the first to not make her bed or leave the straightening iron out. I'll update you and let you know if it works.

Tomorrow we'll get into the chore list and what Nate and I are trying to implement in regards to their electronic Christmas presents from Santa. It goes along with this routine.

Have a good day!

Update: They picked up their room and made the bed when they got home from school and it took 5-10 minutes. They did a great job!