Toddler Morning Routine
While toddlers certainly have their own, unexplained agenda, providing them with some structure can create balance for both yourself as a parent and them. They have the attention span of a goldfish, bouncing from one activity to the next, no matter how cool or how much effort you put into planning anything fun. By creating routines for their day to day life, they have an expectation of what is happening next and helps us to avoid as many unleashed tantrums as possible.
Now all of this being said, routines with toddlers will likely need to be flexible as life happens. Sickness occurs, appointments come up, special days come around, all of which will throw a wrench into a daily plan. I find, as long as the bases of your daily routine still get hit, it makes new things easier to adjust to when these changes do come up.
My son is a sweet, sensitive little guy who thrives on a schedule. He knows what is coming next and will passionately protest if this is not what is supposed to happen. Which makes introducing new tasks or traditions a little challenging, but we push through and he eventually adjusts and comes to expect these things everyday.
Our morning routine is constantly changing, but here is what works for us at the moment.
6:30am-7am: Wake up and take our time getting out of bed. While nursing my baby, my toddler comes into the nursery and I play with his hair and we say our daily affirmation. “Today is going to be a good day.” Diaper changes and downstairs we go.
7am-7:15am: Read books and listen to stories.
7:15am-7:45am: Breakfast. During breakfast I have a playlist of upbeat songs that are not children’s songs, but clean and fun that we listen to and dance along.
7:45am-8:30am: Independent play and activities while Mommy cleans up after breakfast and gets other chores accomplished. This can include folding a load of laundry, emptying the dishwasher, preparing foods for later or even vacuuming and mopping. The kids activities can range from reading more books, playing with playdoh or kinetic sand, we do a lot of colouring during this time, and occasionally they can watch a quick show.
8:30am-9am: Getting ready for the day. While Mommy gets dressed and put together, they can play in Mommy and Daddy’s room or watch a show on our bedroom tv. Half the time they end up being my audience over anything else.
9am-9:15am: We prepare to go to our daily activity, whatever that day has in store. Double checking the diaper bag is securely packed, put on shoes and jackets and hats (sunblock if the season requires it).
9:15am-11:15am: Off we go to our daily activity. This can be anything from story time at the library, to play groups, off to the park or the splash pad, play in our own backyard, or even simply running errands and grocery shopping. We do what we can to keep busy. And we always travel with lots of snacks.
There you have it, our toddler morning routine. Now this can vary from day to day and does not, by any means, consistently remain to the minute each day. This is just a guide I use for myself and my children to know what is happening next. This will also change and adapt by season, as my kids grow older and as appointments or other life events occur. Make and mold your own routine as to how it is best suited for you and your children, not based on what someone else is doing or says you should do. And tweak as you go. If something isn’t working, change it, it is not a big deal. It is your routine to personalize.
Melanie xoxox