I didn’t really think about how not having the same routine can affect my son until we were in lockdown and everything changed for everyone. Breakfasts could now be brunches, my routine coffee break could now be scheduled for any time as I set up my work station as close to the coffee machine as possible. Tight-fitting trousers were replaced with workout trousers (that have never been used to work out in) and my ‘chauffeur’ job was replaced with a ‘personal chef-on-demand-24/7’ job. While I do look back fondly at this slower, more home-based, more-time-for-family period, I also see at times how hard it was for my son.
Whenever his routine changes, it affects his sleep. It takes him longer to settle to fall asleep and then he is more likely to wake up during the night. And as with everyone, a lack of sleep then affects so many other areas of life.
Lack of sleep makes him clumsier and makes everyday sounds harder for him to cope with. He will often resort to placing his fingers in his ears to block out the sounds. Lack of sleep can throw off his appetite and then he is hangry! He is less able to cope with his emotions and gets very upset.
So we made sure that our days had a routine. It didn’t look the same as his school routine did, but it offered him the structure he needed.
- We took a morning walk. We are lucky to live near a nature reserve and that is where we would walk. At first, the walks were short but we were able to build them up and he would ask to go there every day.
- Lunch was at 11:30. We give our boys lunch earlier to stop them snacking and so that we know that they have eaten something nutritious.
- Reading a story and math work was done after lunch.
- We went for a bike or scooter ride, or climbed a tree before dinner.
- Dinner was at 4pm (again to prevent both boys snacking).
- Bath was around 6pm, following by toast and then in bed for 7pm (My son loves water but hates having his hair washed).
With the boys being back in school now the end of the day routine is the same, but I do miss our family walks.
Changes happen in life and are often unavoidable, but maintain some semblance of routine is important in our household.
The Pajama Gang 