Creating Morning & Evening Routines in a Planner | Planner Perfect & Foxy Fix travelers notebook

[@lisanaili]

I have to say that I find it refreshing to hear someone say that they could do nothing all day. I feel like most people say that they have to be doing something or they go crazy. Not me, I could stay in the couch too all day everyday! 😊 I came up with an evening routine a couple of years ago that has changed my life; it actually looks a lot like yours except the kids part. It really has helped me sleep better which makes the next day even better. I’ve setup my iPhone to automatically restrict my phone time with the Screen time settings. You can setup which app you can still use, like a reading app. You should try doing that. If you don’t have an iPhone, I’m sure there’s an alternative for other Phones.

[@AnnieSmithawifenmother]

I do that on my phone too 🙈

[@littlemama4two]

I have guardianship of my 7 & 8 year old granddaughters so I do what I did with my own kids...we pick our outfits out the night before including shoes! Makes for a peaceful less stressful morning. We pack their bookbags and put them on hooks near the door along with their coats so they can grab and go cuz pop pop gets impatient! Another thing I do is inform them of what's happening when so they're aware of it & there are no surprises. That too helps. In keeping with a routine I have less tears & frustration.

[@BrendaNicholson]

littlemama4two I did the same with my kids when they were little. We always checked the weather the night before, and the rule was no changing your mind unless the weather surprised us.

[@christinaruiz4183]

My 5 kids are aged 14-29 and I have a "perfect day" schedule planned. As old as they are, they still need me. They call to say hello or ask for parenting advice. Sometimes they are sick and need soup or medicine dropped off. Or they bring lunch and we sit and talk. All the chores and such can wait. Time with my kids will always come first, and I adjust my schedule to accommodate that ❤

[@christinaruiz4183]

@LonePine Bride It's easier for me to remember to take my medicine and such if I have a routine. My memory is awful! 😂

[@soniajohnson3369]

I’m the same way. I get a lot of lazy moments and I can spend the whole day on the couch snacking and watching KZbin or tv and not want to do anything but then I have problems because I’m falling behind on tasks. I have a one year old who is teething so being tired definitely adds to the lazieness

[@AnnieSmithawifenmother]

It’s definitely hardest with little ones who are sick or really young. I say give yourself so much grace at that point and go with the flow- if you kid is playing, get up and do some work. If they need you, pause the work and snuggle, etc. There’s no way to predict these moments, so riding the wave can be hard, but it’s only for a season 😘

[@theblackflamingo777]

I'm in middle of seriously overhauling my morning and evening routines (insomnia has slayed me the past month) so this video was quite timely and helpful for me, thank you! Re Routine vs Habit: I view a routine as a list of tasks which should be done in order, rather than things which are supposed to happen at a certain time. There might be a rhythm to the routine, but it's flexible. My best advice is experimentation! Try changing things slowly, so you can really see the effects of each alteration. Don't be afraid to try things which might not seem like your jam, or eliminating things you think are, because they may be the key! I've figured out that as much as I love reading, I cannot do it as part of my evening routine. I just don't have the self control required to put the book back down after I've read my allotted time. On the flip side, despite being vehemently opposed to mornings and useless prior to coffee, I've recently discovered one of the best things I can do for myself in the morning is to immediately get out of bed and be active for a bit. Start on breakfast, do some tidying, stretches, anything that keeps me on my feet and moving for 5 minutes while coffee is brewing so I can avoid the allure of my warm, comfortable bed. My Mom is the exact opposite, she loves curling up with a book before bed to wind down and generally hangs out in bed for half an hour reading the news in the morning before she fully gets up. Which is interesting because we're practically carbon copies otherwise! The biggest thing I struggle with is creating a routine that works well for every day of the week, something I can hurry on the early mornings and late evenings, but still feels useful and worthwhile on more lazy days. Maybe optional things I enjoy and benefit me, but aren't so necessary I need them when I'm in a hurry.

[@danam8742]

Insomnia has been awful for me lately, too! I'm talking 2hrs....then I'm waking up like its morning.... at 12:30am. Its maddening.

[@r.erykahlynnmitchell5708]

A year later and just finding you and I think I love you already!! I suck in the morning too 😩 but I hope this routine you’ve helped me with works.

[@AnnieSmithawifenmother]

Mornings are hard! I hope you find your rhythm ❤️

[@creeksidehomeschoolers]

Quick Tip #3: when my boys were toddlers. I use to have 3 sippy cups for each of them one for milk/Pedisure, water, juice and have them ready the night before line in the fridge. They were color coded lids so they and I knew which ones where which and they had different characters on the cup so they know who's was who's. Exp: light blue lid were water with each having a different Buzz lightyear character scene on them. This told us which boy the cup belonged to. When we would leave the house all six of these cups went with us in a lunch box. And when the juice was gone that was it no more for the day...same could go for chocolate milk, ect. I also set up all their snacks in a similar way. So it was ready to go and they new when it was gone that was that. I really loved the ease of having toddlers and everything in a systematic way. Life just isn't as easy as it was back then now that they do more for themselves, but they have to learn and that's just the new season I'm in.

[@AnnieSmithawifenmother]

Love it! Although that would be 15 cups a day for my family 🤣 A system/organization is key, and you nailed it.

[@creeksidehomeschoolers]

@@AnnieSmithawifenmother I know crazy right, but knowing myself...I still would have done it this way...granted as they age up they leave the juice and milk out and can make do with just water cups and remember their own. Yes having systems make life so much easier!

[@anap2916]

Thank you for this video. I’m trying to find my way around planners and routines. I bought myself a kindle E-Reader because I didn’t trust myself with my phone or tablet. Social Media is very tempting

[@creeksidehomeschoolers]

Quick Tip: when my boys were toddlers all the way to 6 or 7. I folded their clothes together as and out fit. I would lay the shirt down and fold the pants/shorts that matched on top and then fold down the shirt. So when my boys woke up all the had to do was open a drawer and grab the folder shirt they wanted and it had the matching bottom right their with it. You can also add undies and socks here as well and hair things for girls too maybe not sure never had any girls. This saved us so much time and fussy in the morning for years and helped them learn what went together/matched as they grow. And it saves us space because we never really had a good place to really layout clothes.

[@AnnieSmithawifenmother]

I finally did my Littles’ clothes this way. It is so much simpler! ❤️❤️❤️

[@creeksidehomeschoolers]

@@AnnieSmithawifenmother this was one of my life line way back then!! They still feel like they got to pick their clothes, but I got to pick the whole out fit...you know, so they still look presentable!! ;) It was a win win! I still to this day find myself wanting them to wear the same color shirts when we go to crowed places; so I can spot them both quickly!

[@creeksidehomeschoolers]

Ps: I posted my 2020 planner stuff on my IG @ creeksidehomeachoolers if you want to check it out. I'm not big on SM but I'm working at it...! Love your videos!

[@suzisaintjames]

Oh, Annie. You have a schedule. 5:30-9:30 morning routine. 9:30-noon, home school. Noon - dinner afternoon routine. After dinner is your evening routine. You time block and don't even know it! ❤🌅🌵

[@AnnieSmithawifenmother]

In a way, yes. But I don’t always do the same kinds of things in the same blocks 😆

[@suzisaintjames]

Here's my take on devices before bed... Stop staring least one hour prior. Studies show the blue light from devices, including TV, disrupt your sleep. Just like anything else just because you put in the hours sleeping doesn't mean you're getting quality sleep. So put down the devices and get the sleep you deserve. My do your Bible study or spend time with your husband. 💝☀🌵

[@suzisaintjames]

When you close the kitchen for the night and set up breakfast... that's when you should take out frozen meat for tomorrow's dinner. ❤🌅🌵

[@AnnieSmithawifenmother]

Some days I do. If not, breakfast is usually plenty of time, thankfully.

[@leeannslife1400]

Could you do a video on if your kids follow a routine independently & how it's set up so they don't forget a step? I have to remind my daughter about every little thing, so her own routine to follow would be nice!

[@AnnieSmithawifenmother]

My kids do not follow routines independently yet 😆 My oldest is only 9, and we’re still very much in the coaching/reminding stage of life.

[@JessicaMiller-sd2uf]

If you're in Android, the app Offtime is the one I use to lock myself out of certain apps at certain times of the day. I'm sure there's an iOS option also

[@AnnieSmithawifenmother]

There is a version of that for iPhone, thankfully ❤️

[@AnnieSmithawifenmother]

It’s just part of the Settings, I think it’s called Screentime and you can set time limits for certain apps.

[@kimberlyhoward7896]

Life is so hectic sometimes, I just don’t get any of my well thought out plans done. So I’ve learned that through trial and error, you work at what works for you😁. My kids and husband come first and the dishes will eventually sort themselves out and get cleaned up by somebody. We do try to have things picked up or cleaned up for the next morning. Thank you for sharing some of your plans. My only advice is to stay flexible, because the only thing consistent in life with kids is change! Take care and have fun💗🤗!

[@AnnieSmithawifenmother]

Yes, yes, and amen ❤️

[@cgelmore488]

Get a Kindle to read books on. :-) They are great.

[@AnnieSmithawifenmother]

I do have one and I do use it often. Good reminder.

[@creeksidehomeschoolers]

Quick Tip #2: I know this isn't the healthiest, but when I buy cereal I put it in glass jars I saved from peanut butter and have it in 1 cup portion. 1) so the don't eat too much of it and it all gone in a day and 2) so they can make it themselves with or without milk 3) they can eat right out of the container milk or not milk.

[@suzisaintjames]

Could the little kids put out their clothes or the older kids put out the younger kids clothes at the same time as their own? And then you come along and edit? ❤🌅🌵

[@AnnieSmithawifenmother]

It’s a great idea- I just forget about it until kids are in bed. And then I forget to write it down or set a reminder in my phone 😆🙈