Anything Worth Doing is Worth Doing Routinely (Large Family Organization)

A conversation about how making something routine elevates it's importance and that if it's hard to make something routine, it may be evidence that it's just not important at this time of your life.
www.andreamills.tv

[@agnessamarkova]

I'm not too sure what it is but I find your videos very relaxing after a stressful day haha puts me at peace, thank you for putting time aside to make these videos!

[@beam8250]

I couldn't agree more with you! Thank you for sharing your personal experiences and helpful tips. RIP 💖 Andrea. You are dearly missed.

[@laurac56]

I have a routine of visiting my father in the nursing home every Wednesday and Sunday. He is a difficult man and I would probably continually put it off. Having that routine causes me to not even think about whether I feel like it or not. I also find giving yourself a "treat" for those difficult routines helps too. I made a friend of another resident at the nursing home too and go to see her while my Dad is eating dinner, so I look forward to that.

[@TheMillsFamilyVlog]

That's such a good point about routines. It keeps you from being ruled by your feelings at any particular moment. There are many things I would put off, too, if I waited till I felt like doing them to get them done.

[@jessicacox3591]

I’ve been cleaning & listening to Andrea talk this morning. It’s such a blessing to have these videos I sure needed this talk this morning. Thank you Andrea. ❤️

[@27erikalee]

I literally do the same thing. Feels like a friend is here chatting with me while I am getting my stuff done ♥️

[@fredachase5193]

I love routines.....the date night on Anniversary day of the month is a great idea!!!! Andrea, what a treasure you are and will always be!!!

[@ItsAWonderfulLife]

Interesting topic! I have begun implementing some of the routines you've talked about in my own life. (For example, my own versions of meal and chore charts.) One surprising discovery in doing this is that having these routines has freed up more time/money to be spontaneous. We were caught up on household things (due to the chore chart) and had saved some money (due to meal planning) and were able to make a spontaneous trip to the zoo. Routines and spontaneity don't necessarily cancel each other out. You can have both!

[@TheMillsFamilyVlog]

I totally agree and you enjoy that spontaneity so much more when you can do it with peace of mind!

[@elizabethcrosby9095]

Thank you so much Andrea! I have been so out of sorts and it seems nothing gets done, I so needed this message as I too felt like routine was not important. I think I have just found what I needed as encouragement to make a routine. This was exactly what I needed!

[@lruss5050]

Children need routines! It's comforting to know how things will function. Chaos, rather than spontaneity ,could reign if 11 people all did their own thing on your holiday!

[@homesteadschooled4587]

Love this video! I love how you have so much insight into things that seem so ordinary and obvious, but actually aren't until you hear somebody say it!

[@mylifeasjen8732]

This was a great video. I really agreed with what you said about not feeling guilt because you knew that a particular task would be taken care of because of your routine. It frees up space in your mind.:)

[@lynnwilson665]

I am going through all your videos one by one starting with the oldest and working my way through… I have to say so far it's so hard to decide which is my favorite, but this one in particular I think I'm going to watch it over and over. Your insight and wisdom on this subject is perfect. I love your shopping hauls, I love your vlogs of the family homeschooling, I love your birthday parties and holiday traditions. I think between this one and when you just sit and fold the laundry and chitchat are my absolute favorites.❤️

[@dsauer9143]

yes, yes, yes! I have a calender that goes everywhere with me. All the routine (important) things are in it. Each child has their own color. Meals for 2 weeks at a time are in it. Church is in it. Church events are in it. Its a beautiful, colorful family plan leaving lots of room for spontaneous trips to the dog park or the movies because the necessity (important) life items are already prioritized.

[@coffeeandcraftinmama6054]

Oh Andrea! Thank you for this video! You encourage me in so many ways! THANK YOU!!!!

[@mareek9639]

I love that! "Anything worth doing is worth doing routinely". I have started today, thank you for sharing.

[@kymberlei25]

Thank you very much for taking the time to thoroughly explain this aspect of your life! I personally suffer from strong anxiety and, as a result, I have to control my environment to feel safe. That sounds more severe than it actually is. ;-) Part of that "control" is making rules/plans to follow. Following those plans help me relax (but stress out others, haha!!). After watching your video I realized that my rules and plans are really a routine. And I'm not the only one that makes them or follows them. This has been comforting. :-)

[@lynnwilson2371]

WOW. You hit home with me!!!!! The Lord has been speaking to me about this very thing. Thank you for making this practical for me.

[@leahhenshall7626]

Thank you for this video. .it has to be my favorite and most helpful one so far...especially the date night one..

[@raisingforhim3186]

I love this. Since having kids I thrive on routine. I have more free time when I have routine. Routine makes me feel structured and helps me complete tasks

[@myaanddestineeshow2040]

You are so inspiring!! I only have 2 kids and can feel overwhelmed. But you are so calm and organized. Thank you for giving me motivation 😊😊

[@emsee1138]

Saint Andrea....I found your site 3 years after you passed, but your wisdom and advice is so appreciated! Thank you so very much for sharing your selflessness w/all! ❤️

[@blancamendez3303]

your vlogs help me so much :) love them, thank you much for making them.

[@analizcutie123]

I really needed this video, thank you so much!

[@jsshhshs1671]

Just found your channel!!! I really like it I got inspired to clean my house and organize!!

[@faithridgeway5695]

my mom can't get me and my sisters to clean the house mostly because we are all teenagers and we are lazy but when I started watching your videos it has made me start helping my mom clean up around the house so thank you for that.

[@faithridgeway5695]

also I was wondering if you guys listen to music and if you do what type of music do you listen to?

[@TheMillsFamilyVlog]

Tom is more into music than I am. I enjoy classical music. Tom likes a wide variety, but he gravitates mostly to Enya-type stuff. Another type I like (I don't know what it's called) is the kind that's like older heavy metal music played by orchestras.

[@faithridgeway5695]

Interesting I love music that is why I was asking

[@CookieCrumbFun]

Such a great video! Thank you for making a video I can listen to while folding laundry & other things. Truly enjoyed this one! praying for you all!

[@emfun13]

You are the most organized mom I know! I have no routine in my life and I’m trying to make it a priority. I hope to be like you someday!

[@jackiemaccaskill2111]

Awww... I just saw one of the family’s latest taco Tuesday nights, and Tom mentions that Andrea often said, anything worth doing, is worth doing routinely . ❤️ Then I find this video. Miss her voice. Xoxo

[@home-cookedandhandmade1524]

You are right on with this! Routine sounds boring, but it can really help us to live how we want to live. Good video.

[@fleurmp3820]

Great video. I love your simple menu planning routine. I am keen to setup a similar routine in my home too x

[@jennathacker4439]

Thank you, Andrea, for this video.

[@karla.30]

Anniversary date as Date Night is such a wonderful idea...I think Hubby and I need to implement that! Really enjoying your videos and ideas!

[@jasminer7804]

THIS.IS.AWESOME.PERSPECTIVE!

[@onelittlemiracle241]

Rewatching. Absolutely brilliant.

[@PotawatomiProud]

Thanks Andrea, Thanks again your videos always relax me, you are a great communicator fo all ages.❤️😊

[@tamsin7460]

I struggle to have routine as I have a really random rota which sees constantly changing shift patterns. I do take your point though. There are a couple of things I try to make routine: Bath time once a week, hair wash every 2 days, Sunday must always have either a church service or online service and one day a week as Sabbath (unfortunately it can't always be a Sunday).

[@TheMillsFamilyVlog]

Sometimes it helps to think about it in a different way. Even if your shift changes, you probably have certain things you do when you get up whether it's morning or night. Or if my routine is A-B-C-D and after A there's an interruption that ends up lasting 3 hours, I still pick up at B and carry on. I suppose that's how shift work must be- a really long interruption to the routine!

[@LeatSabbah]

Excellent video Andrea - thanks for sharing!

[@JustSewTrish]

I love these ideas. ok my dad routinely called me every Thursday since I could talk on the phone. I love using the anniversary day as the date night. I need use that. we only go out 2 times a year. august for anniversary and the company Christmas party. now I can have 10 more a year.

[@caroldeaton619]

Another great video I watched today well it's 12:30 a.m. Monday morning. But I've been stuck on watching Andrea all day. Rest in peace beautiful angel Andrea.

[@murphyoberle]

I know this is an older video BUT I have found it so helpful! Thank you so much

[@makingithome8493]

I love Andrea❤️

[@cindyreid7892]

This is great advice .. I do some of this too

[@dragonflyneb]

You are so smart. I find if I don't have a routine I don't get much done. Thank You

[@KrisFasseBooksandButterflies]

Routines. I continue to have her quote in my head.

[@_GiGiBloom_]

Oh my gosh, how valuable is this?! These videos are a guidebook for your family! She was such an amazing person and just so sweet! 💝 I am grateful for these videos, they are very inspiring and great ideas! Very lucky children to have these!! 🥰Thank you Andrea! 💝

[@TheMillsFamilyVlog]

She helped our family run like a well oiled machine, and has enabled us to continue getting along as well as we are!

[@_GiGiBloom_]

The Mills Family absolutely, That’s clear to see! And the children will always have their Mothers guidance and wisdom 🥰

[@lindarobinson5777]

Another great video thanks Andrea

[@cynthiamantzouranis7134]

Thank you for sharing. I too believe in and like routines. They free up time for me to do other things. Flylady helped me in the homemaking department and we used a routine for home school and chores as we raised our family. Structure gives us time and space for creativity and spontaneity. Have a wonderful day.

[@lolitamorris2943]

What a great legacy, R.I.P. Andrea

[@ThisWomansBrain]

Another excellent video Andrea.

[@angelovestea]

I always enjoy your videos. u r very encouraging

[@drummerlovesbookworm9738]

This is a great topic. Awhile ago I spent some time thinking and writing about habits, routines, practices, customs, traditions, and rituals. Lot of information about those things in the Bible! I found that they are all activities we do regularly, but the purpose and emotional/spiritual intent is different. It's an interesting thing to think about. I don't have to tell you they are all really important to me. The most interesting experiences I had were when I elevated a routine, say, to a ritual. Just applying intention and mindfulness was so powerful! xoj

[@TheMillsFamilyVlog]

That sounds interesting... I like pondering ideas like that.

[@peggyprose]

Brilliant!

[@valerielain1481]

beautiful you are so right about routine.

[@charlotte22]

Hey happy anniversary (and date night tomorrow)!

[@pritchy0626]

Just a random video suggestion to add to the list.. Some of my favorite videos are budget videos where people actually sit down and do their weekly/monthly budget on paper. I love seeing what other families budget for food, clothes, gas, etc. And I'm mostly curious what it takes to keep a large family like yours going ;)

[@TheMillsFamilyVlog]

I'm hoping to do some finances/budgeting videos in January; let's hope! :)

[@JustSewTrish]

I had to come back and take notes

[@JannahInProgress]

Go rutines!! So good for the kids also!

[@homemoviedaddy]

I think we should be neighbors! Our kids would have lots of fun together. We have 9, ranging from 2 to 14, and we homeschool as well. :) Thanks for sharing your family with the KZbin world. :) :)

[@asprinkleoffieryunicorns8302]

My parents don't routinely spend time together and our house has never had a routine for cleaning. The only things we do routinely (as a family) are school, work and clubs. Persinally though I have days I clean my pets out, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sundays are the days I shower. Shopping though never happens, we just walk to the nearby shops when ever we need stuff we can't get from work

[@TheMillsFamilyVlog]

Perhaps you could view those shopping trips as routines. Your routine is that when you need something, you go get it. If the routine works for you, go with it!

[@stormwinters6634]

like the attic cleaning

[@noramcnabb1361]

If you always do what you always done you will always get what you’ve always gotten

[@hedgerow.homestead]

I love routine

[@amberhouston3991]

you should do a get to know each one of your kids.

[@hant679]

Amber Houston Oooo, I like that!

[@beckysmith2346]

Mills Family: Is there any chance you would make the menu cards into digital files for purchase by viewers? I have been saying I want to start planning meals more and I’d like more menu ideas.

[@tinypotato6909]

I need you to come organise life. Seriously.🙂

[@annielemaster]

Great idea! I need more routines as I am super forgetful! Could you explain what "Magic Monday", Ishah meeting, greek checkups, Narturo, and Magic Friday are? Sounds like you guys have a lot of "routine" fun!

[@TheMillsFamilyVlog]

You're very right! It's important to us to have fun and enjoy things together so we build fun into the routine. Tom really likes playing Magic the Gathering, so he taught all of us to play. Later he found a group to play with on Friday nights and we were a little jealous that he didn't have much time to play with us anymore. That's when we started Magic Monday so at least once a month he would sit and play with everyone. We also play a matching game with some of the token cards so that the little ones can participate in Magic Monday. (I made a "Magic Monday" banner that we hang up all day on that Monday.) Friday Magic is when he (and now our older boys, if they want) go play with the group they meet up with. Ishah Fellowship is what I call our girls' club. Once a month the girls and I do something together while Tom and the boys do an activity for Man Club. In 3rd grade we start having the kids learn Greek. Tom is supervising that part of their education so every 3rd week he sits with them to check their progress. Naruto is a Japanese anime that we've watched for many years. Tom always makes pizza on Thursday and we watch it while we eat. We now anchor our grocery shopping on that day because the kids liked to buy special treats on Naruto night so I'd pay them for their chores and take them to the store while Tom made the pizza. It was natural to do my own shopping then, too, so now it's also grocery shopping night.

[@annielemaster]

Sounds awesome! I wanna come hang out with you guys!

[@nosybutnice7538]

I miss you.

[@sermgirl]

I really enjoyed this! I have recently been having such a difficult time getting everything I need to get done, actually done! Hopefully this will help me organize my day to day life. Do you do daily to-do lists as well, or are you just so familiar with your routine that you don't? (: thanks Andrea!

[@TheMillsFamilyVlog]

At the beginning of each season I usually make out a routine schedule and then I never look at it again. :) Doing it helps me get a realistic idea of what I can expect us to accomplish and helps me order my days for special activities. On a daily basis, I keep a list of to-dos on my dry erase board (it's a small board so I can't let it get too long.) Then I plan out my day estimating when I'll get things done so I can have a realistic idea about the day. You can see at the beginning of our School Week 6 video what that looks like.

[@sermgirl]

+Andrea Mills thanks for reply Andrea! I've already showed your video to my roommates and told them I want to implement routines (:

[@tiffanygreen9470]

Got an example for not repeatable..... a friend gets hurt and bringing them a meal. That is not something that you might want or need to do every week or month. I love your date night on anniversary idea!!!

[@TheMillsFamilyVlog]

It's kind of neat to count up on date nights like, "Well, we've now been married 17 years and 3 months today."

[@sarahs7751]

This must be why my life is a mess- no routines!! But how do I do it? How do I stay consistent? Any tips? I would love to be routinely and organized but how to do it seems so hard.

[@reannonb]

Hi Andrea, What are "Greek Checkups" ?

[@TheMillsFamilyVlog]

In 3rd grade the kids start learning Greek and Tom is supervising that part of their education. Every 3rd week he meets with each one of the kids to check on their progress.

[@jjvmglinn]

May have misunderstood but do your children only wash (have a bath) once a week ?

[@TheMillsFamilyVlog]

That's our routine. Of course, if someone needs or wants one more often, that's fine. We started that after Eden was born. My mom was sick with cancer at the time and I was so busy helping her that I didn't follow my regular bath routine with the kids. Eden had the most beautiful skin- unlike all my boys before her. That's when I started researching about bathing, soap, etc. and decided to cut way back. I think we (as a culture) have been misled into thinking daily bathing is normal and healthy when in fact it seems like it may be better to follow a more traditional weekly bathing. Of course as I said, we aren't sticklers to that and if someone just feels like they want a nice soak in the tub or they get really dirty out playing they are free to enjoy as many baths as they want.

[@alyxthespideykid]

Hey, may I ask a we question? You're son had a walking dead party are they aloud to watch that show?

[@TheMillsFamilyVlog]

Yes.

[@texascrystal]

💙

[@ariannasantiago4048]

What state do you live in...if you don't mind me asking. I heard you mention you live close to Sundance and I was just wondering if it was the Sundance I was thinking of.

[@TheMillsFamilyVlog]

Yes, it is. We live in Moorcroft.

[@krististout5590]

Routine is good. What happens if you don't routinely get paid??? LOL Spontaneous is a nice change, but kids and families work best with routines :)

[@stormwinters6634]

you know that I love your blogs I have it so I get a message every new videos and I meant to let you know when I was asking about your dad that I'm sorry for your loss of your mom

[@TheMillsFamilyVlog]

Thank you. It's been six years since she passed away, but I always miss her. She didn't get to meet 3 of my children and I wish she was here to enjoy them with me. She was an awesome grandmother.

[@44Dedelove]

I have a problem following a routine, I start with great enthusiasm then get bored and stop it . do you have any advise for me ?😃

[@TheMillsFamilyVlog]

I would say you need to make your routines natural and complex. Look for what you already do routinely and just acknowledge that a routine is in place. If you want to add something, find the most natural time in the day/week/month to add it in. Some things have to be done daily (like eating) but others don't (like working on a project or going shopping.) For those things, make them come regularly, but less frequently and for larger periods of time. Rather than working on the project every day for 30 minutes, try once a week for 3 hours. Or once every 3 weeks. Monday nights are routine at our house, but not the same each week. The first Monday is Magic Monday, 2nd and 4th are nights to visit Grandma, 3rd Monday is our girls' club. They're each routine, but it's complex enough to not feel boring. Also, if you find things on your routine that you routinely skip, maybe those things aren't something you highly value and you should accept that it's not something you want to do. Release yourself from guilt and carry on without it!

[@44Dedelove]

Andrea Mills that's really helpful. thank you very much

[@Hannah123605]

Quick question. You said Wednesday night is bath night, does that mean the kids only have a bath once a week?

[@TheMillsFamilyVlog]

That's our routine. Of course, if someone needs or wants one more often, that's fine. We started that after Eden was born. My mom was sick with cancer at the time and I was so busy helping her that I didn't follow my regular bath routine with the kids. Eden had the most beautiful skin- unlike all my boys before her. That's when I started researching about bathing, soap, etc. and decided to cut way back. I think we (as a culture) have been misled into thinking daily bathing is normal and healthy when in fact it seems like it may be better to follow a more traditional weekly bathing. Of course as I said, we aren't sticklers to that and if someone just feels like they want a nice soak in the tub or they get really dirty out playing they are free to enjoy as many baths as they want.

[@albertagrown]

Andrea Mills - I work as a nursing aide, and you're right. People bathe to much these days. As long as the peri area, underarms, hands and face are clean... One bath a week is just fine! Much better for your skin, hair, etc. Obviously people with very dirty jobs should bathe after work, though! Lol

[@hedgerow.homestead]

Hannah123605 not who you were asking, but my kids only have a bath once a week unless circumstances require more frequent baths (like when they jump in muddy puddles. hahaha)

[@cheyennesida618]

Andrea Mills a lot of dermatologists actually say it's MUCH better for your skin to not shower/bathe as much as our society does. Good for y'all!

[@hant679]

Friday is our bath day 😊

[@wagnerfamily2043]

Your grandma's name is Fern? My littlest is Fern :-)

[@TheMillsFamilyVlog]

Yes, it is. It's such a nice, old-fashioned name! It's nice that you're using it and making it "new-fashioned!"

[@asprinkleoffieryunicorns8302]

One question though, do you work?

[@TheMillsFamilyVlog]

We run a computer repair business from our home. Tom does the repairs, Thomas helps customers in our office and I do all the bookkeeping.

[@asprinkleoffieryunicorns8302]

+Andrea Mills Oh Okay :) Just wondered because you're able to spend time with all your children and homeschool them as well!!

[@tamsenschmidt2067]

5th comment

[@MrsPinkZebra]

routine makes me so bored. I can't even commit to drinking out of the same cup lol

[@TheMillsFamilyVlog]

Then your routine is always picking a different cup!

[@kkccal]

Andrea Mills why doesn't Tomas babysit the younger kids when my brother was that age, he was babysitting me

[@TheMillsFamilyVlog]

We've been trying that recently, but I guess we hadn't started sooner because our friends really like watching the kids. They're son is Thomas' best friend and it was a fun time for their whole family to come over to our house and spend the evening. The last few times, Thomas has started out the evening and then later my friend comes to help get the younger kids get into bed and check on everyone.