YOU

Life Balance

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Routines actually make us more productive, and that’s as true with family routines as with any directly associated with work. Family routines save time, and once things are squared away. You don’t have to worry so much. Let’s take a look at a couple of routines you may find helpful, starting with the most logical point: evening, since many morning routines start with evening prep.
Make to-do lists for your family.

Most kids have chores anyway. Just let them know what to do when, so they can get it out of the way.
Reward them when they do their tasks quickly and efficiently with something they like doing, like an
extra half-hour of TV or some video-game time, and they’ll get in the habit of doing it automatically
every evening.

Prepare for the next day so you can get out the door quickly in the morning. Make sure your kids have done their homework, and help them if they need it. Have them think through the next day, making sure they have all athletic gear, food and transportation. Make sure everything is in place and ready, down to locating shoes and jackets.

Find and maintain a steady morning routine. No one knows your kids as well as you do. So if your son is hard to awaken or your daughter gets cranky in the morning, rouse them out early enough to get dressed, eat breakfast and otherwise be prepared for the day.

Work. Life. It All Matters. One good thing about kids is that, despite how they act or what they may say, they need and want structure to build their lives around. They also want to know you care; and you need to do these things so you have a reason to work and a home to come back to in the first place. Part of the importance of family routines is that they make you more productive at work and more productive at home. Getting the busywork done lets you spend more time with those you love so you can make important memories.

life, balance, routine