Last week's habit was not being so wasteful with the dishwater. It has been going pretty well. I don't think it is a set in stone habit yet, but focusing on this one thing has had the benefit of it actually being done.

For this week I would like to work on getting everyone, and that includes myself most especially, in bed at a decent hour AND prepared for the following day. That's right. We are going to hash out a before bed routine that takes the next day into consideration.  I am so tired of this: "Oh it's probably getting late.  (glance at clock) Oh Wow. It IS late." The  kitchen is still a mess, the kids haven't picked up anything, the kids are still up, (except the hard sleeper who wandered off and fell asleep still dressed to his shoes with unbrushed teeth. I don't know how many times this poor kid has slept in his shoes because once he crashes he is out cold)and I am so tired all I want to do is go to bed right NOW. This is not working for us. The problem is that I don't even think about  "what time is it?" until it is already too late.

To counteract this I have already set my trusty (and horribly unfeminine) watch to go off at 8:30pm instead of being a backup alarm clock for the morning. This should give me enough time to get the kids headed off to bed and still leave me time to get myself in bed at a decent hour. I would like for everyone to take care of teeth and face washing, set out clothes, check over planners, clean up rooms, have some  reading time, say their prayers and have lights out at a decent hour. Additionally I would like to have a dinner plan in place (with something thawing if necessary) and if we are going out to have all our "things" forsaid outing ready to go to the car.

Hopefully this will help the days be more manageable. So this is the new habit to start working on geting down pat.

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Posted by lizzy

Wow, sounds like an awesome goal. I'm working my way up to that kind of goal, myself. Good luck!

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Posted by Anonymous

Good luck with your SMART habit. I too am working on bedtime routine. I have been for a couple weeks now but not quite "there" yet.

I linked to you on Lazy Organizer. :) You can find me there too. :)

Ter (With an Angel on My Shoulder)

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Posted by A Juggling Mum

That's a great habit to practise. It is an on going thing in our house. One thing that worked for me was to make each of the kids a list of things they need to do in the morning and at night and tape it to their wardrobe door. That way they know what needs to be done and I don't need to nag them... most of the time anyway :)

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Posted by Anonymous

I tend to do the same thing and wait till the last minute to get ready for bed. When I was doing good this summer I had to get the kids in the shower by 7:00 to get them in bed by nine. It might be hard at first but I'm sure you'll love your new schedule.

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Posted by Anonymous

With four children, we have to have a set bedtime and a routine to get us there. Good luck with this new habit - I hope you find that it makes things run more smoothly! Visit me at familybriefs.com; I'll be glad to tell you what our routine is like!

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Posted by Anonymous

Getting everyone to bed at a good time is so hard, but SO worth it! We have recently started doing this once school was back in the picture and we all seem to be more rested and the mornings go much smoother. And they have time to read and just relax, we could ALL use more time like that I think! Sounds like you've got a good plan down! Good luck this week!

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Posted by 4sweetums

It was such a blessing to our family when we got the bedtime routine under control last year. Now the three little ones are in bed by 7:30 and the big teen is in his room by 9:30 with lights out at 10:00. It is wonderful. Everyone is happier in the morning too.
Blessings,
4sweetums

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Posted by Anonymous

having a bed time routine has really saved the chaos in our home. we are still working on getting things ready for the next day but if the kids are in bed at a decent hour it seems to help with the morning routine. i still need to get to bed at a decent hour myself.....that'll be for another week perhaps

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Posted by mom2chris

This sounds like a great idea. :) I am one of those night owls that stays up too late, not wanting to stop whatever it is I am working on, then I realize that my son is still up. He is a night owl too, so he will never draw it to my attention that he is up too late!

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