The Start to Routine...

Ok... so on my all new favorite site Flylady.net they are talking about routines... and we are in MUCH need of routine in our home.. so here goes!

First she mentions to take baby steps... make 3 routines for morning time, then 3 routines for evening time.

Ok...

3 Morning routines:

1. Get breakfast for everyone within 30 minutes of waking up.

2. Breakfast dishes and any left over from the night before should be put in dishwasher.

3. Make beds once everyone is up. (kids can help do this)

3 Evening routines:

1. Lay out a clean dishtowel by the sink every night.

2. Have all evening dishes in the dishwasher before going to bed.

3. Have things in the room they belong before going to bed.

Work up to this routine:

The morning routine is broken down into four parts:

1. Rise and Shine
   1. Make your bed as soon as you get out of it (unless your DH is still there).
   2. Go into the bathroom.
   3. Shower and clean the bathroom while you are there.
   4. Fix your hair and face.
   5. Swish the toilet and leave the room never to return till later. It is clean and you can forget about it for now.
   6. Leave your bedroom with a load of laundry in hand and go straight to the washer.
   
   
2. Kitchen
   1. If you did your Before Bed Routine, the kitchen is clean and all you need to do is empty the dishwasher.
   2. Make coffee and start breakfast.
   3. Feed the critters.
   4. Feed the family (including yourself).
   
   
3. Think About Your Day
   1. Check your calendar.
   2. Make your list of what you are going to do today
   3. Thaw something for dinner.
   4. Checkbook (bring down your balance).
   5. Reboot the laundry (put in dryer).
   6. Hit the hotspots. If you did your Before Bed Routine there will not be any.
   
   
4. Now Think About Yourself
   1. Take your vitamins and medications.
   2. Sit down.
   3. Eat breakfast (if you haven't already).
   4. Morning Meditation: God, Imagination, Focus, Thanksgiving (GIFT).
   5. Now reward yourself with some computer time. Check your e-mail.
   
   

There are three parts to the Before Bed Routine:

1. Clean up the house before you go to bed. (20 minutes - tops)
   1. Living room: Pick up and put away things, magazines, dishes, clothes, shoes.
   2. Kitchen: Clean it up, shine sink, lay out clean dishcloths, and run the dishwasher.
   3. Dining room/entrance: Clear the hot spots.
   4. Review your check list to make sure you have not forgotten anything.
   
   
2. Think about tomorrow before you go to bed.
   1. Check your calendar and/or planner for appointments.
   2. Start a "To Do" list for tomorrow.
   3. Think about: What can I do tonight that will make tomorrow morning easier? (make lunches?)
   4. Gather up items that you do not want to forget and place them in a spot by the door. Make sure you can see them before you walk out.
   5. Make sure children have their things gathered up and put away.
   6. Start Breakfast: Set table and plan what you are cooking (just make a mental note).
   7. If you plan to use the crock pot, then get some of those things ready so all you have to do is throw it together.
   8. Lay out your clothes for tomorrow. It is a simple thing that saves lots of time by being decisive. If something needs to be ironed, or has a spot on it, you can deal with it in a calm manner or choose to wear something else. Take it to the cleaners on your errand day, launder it, or fix that missing button according to your schedule - no pressure. All the stress has been relieved.
   
   
3. Focus on yourself before going to bed.

   Cool down time:

   1. Get yourself ready for bed.
   2. Brush your teeth, clean your face, comb your hair.
   3. Take vitamins and other meds.
   4. Bath time! Bubbles mmmmmm...
   5. Put on jammies, or sexy night gown, or... nothing. LOL!
   6. You are now ready for bed. I am not saying that you have to go to bed, but you can, because you are ready to get between those sheets.

   Reflect on today's accomplishments:

   1. Work on your journal, TaDa list (accomplishments), and/or Gratitude Journal.
   2. Read for fun.
   3. Read to each other.
   4. Listen to music. It doesn't matter what kind - just relax, and it has to be something you enjoy, or you won't do it.
   5. Prayer and/or Meditation.
   6. Snuggle in for the night and lights out. Go to bed at a decent time. Preferably at the same time daily!
   7. Fall asleep with a smile on your face and in your heart!
   
   

Now.... routines for the kids. They need their own as well.

3 Morning Routines for Kids:

1. Eat breakfast within 30 minutes of getting up

2. Brush teeth; wash hands

3. Get dressed/take shower for the day.

3 Evening Routines for Kids:

1. Sit at table and eat dinner by 7pm.

2. Brush teeth; wash hands; potty

3. At least 30 minutes before bedtime: QUIET time: read book, settle down, no tv!!!

Bedtime of 9pm.

FlyLady's Eleven Commandments

1. Keep your sink clean and shiny.
   
   
2. Get dressed every morning, even if you don’t feel like it. Don’t forget your lace-up shoes.
   
   
3. Do your morning and before bedtime routine everyday.
   
   
4. Don’t allow yourself to be sidetracked by the computer.
   
   
5. Pick up after yourself. If you get it out, put it away.
   
   
6. Don’t try to do two projects at once. ONE JOB AT A TIME.
   
   
7. Don’t pull out more than you can put back in one hour.
   
   
8. Do something for yourself everyday, maybe every morning and night.
   
   
9. Work as fast as you can to get the job done. This will give you more time to play later.
   
   
10. Smile even when you don’t feel like it. It is contagious. Make your mind up to be happy and you will be.
    
    
11. Don’t forget to laugh everyday. Pamper yourself, you deserve it.

Weekly Checklist:

These are things in each room that need to be done weekly.

Kitchen:

1. Scrub floor.
2. Wipe down all countertops well.
3. Clean out refrigerator.
4. Clean out microwave.
5. Scrub stove top.

Bathrooms:

1. Polish mirror.
2. Empty trash.
3. Vacuum and shampoo carpets.
4. Disinfect everything.
5. Empty litter box completely.

Bedrooms:

1. Put away any clothes left out.
2. Vacuum carpet.
3. Dust.
4. Change sheets.

Livingroom, Dining Room, and Family Room

1. Dust.
2. Vacuum carpet.
3. Clean mirrors/tv/windows.
4. Clean ceiling fans.

Paperwork and Misc. Duties

1. Plan menu for next week.
2. Print out coupons for grocery shopping.
3. Write letters and cards/send emails to friends and family.
4. Clean out purse.
5. Clean cat food/water bowl.
6. Clean shoes.
7. Vacuum a/c unit.
8. Clean out suburban.
9. Straighten out laundry room.
10. Organize bills/calendar.