Having a family rhythm has been such a beautiful gift to our family. It’s given our children more peace and security knowing what is going on in the day-to-day.
Our first block of the day includes breakfast and chores/free play. Last year we flowed straight from breakfast into school, but with a new baby, we have found that allowing an hour to pass before starting school gave the baby a chance to fall asleep before school begins.
Our third block of the day includes two of the most important things in our day, which are free play and reading. So, from after lunch-dinner the kids just free play. That may look like playing outdoors for hours and hours in the summer, or it may look like blanket forts and Legos in the winter. Whatever the case may be, this time of day is devoted to them being little and playing. Typically around 3 or 4, they start to get a little tired, so if they don’t want to take a nap, I like to use this time for our read alouds. It’s a great time for them to simply rest while mama sits for a moment to read. Again, I love this time.
The last block of the day is simply family. This is our evening routine of dinner, more play, and bedtime routines. It’s the hour after dinner that we like to devote to spending unplugged time together with the kids. We read, play a game, just hangout and talk, or color before sleep. We consider this time the most important time for our kids, because seeing their cups full and a smile on their face before they close their little eyes, makes these long days worth it. It’s so fulfilling.
