Ah, a routine. Sounds so simple, yet the chaos of motherhood can make it difficult! I hope this easy daily schedule with toddlers helps you feel like you’re living a full life, while making memories with your kids!
What’s your daily schedule with toddlers?
This is a common conversation piece between fellow moms. We’re always trying to see what works for others and to decide if we want to implement bits and pieces of other people’s schedules and routines into our day as well! Every kid is different, yet what is certain is that kids like a routine. This quote popped up in my inbox from Lovevery and I think it’s a good thing to remember:
“For toddlers, routines provide comfort, structure, and a way to predict (and prepare for) what’s going to happen next. Routines also promote understanding of order and sequence, the building blocks of more advanced thought processes like reasoning, judgment, and anticipation.”
Lovevery
I’ve noticed that the more routine I bring into my day, the more happy and content my daughter is. She knows what’s coming next and she knows when the activity is over, she’ll likely get to do it again soon. That’s why I’m excited to share my easy daily schedule with toddlers!
Some quick facts about my family:
- I’m a stay at home mom who works when my kid sleeps.
- My daughter isn’t involved in any activities, so our days are free and we’re not planning around events.
- This has been our routine ever since she went down to 1 nap, and will continue to be the routine as our family grows and we add more kids to the mix. It works for us, it’s not going to change!
- My husband works long hours so I’m typically the parent in charge the whole day.
- At the time of this post, my daughter is 18 months.
My Easy Daily Schedule with Toddlers
6:30AM-ISH: I get up, make the bed and “get ready” for the day.
I put “get ready” in quotations because I do the bare minimum – BUT I do make sure I at least feel like a human!
Doing these things sets the tone for the day and I highly suggest even getting up 5-10 minutes before your kids so you can get your life in order before things get busy and your hygiene is left in the dust. It’s happened to all of us and I think we can all agree it doesn’t make us feel like the hot mamas we are.
6:45AM-ISH: My daughter wakes and plays while I tidy up
After I change diapers, she is off to do some independent play while I finish getting dressed and organized for the day.
Some days I’m folding laundry or loading some in the wash, other days I’m organizing parts of our room or her room that have gotten messy. She has gotten to an age where she can help, so she sometimes puts things away with me here and there!
7AM-ISH: Get the Kid Dressed, Teeth Brushed, Hair Done
This doesn’t take long, yet it helps to get ready soon after she wakes so we can hit the road to an adventure after breakfast (more on that soon)!
7:30AM-ISH: Milk + Cartoons
What? You let your kid watch TV? Yes – TV is a tool in our home! I limit it to 30 minutes in the morning while she’s drinking her milk. During this time (after I get my morning snugs) I’m enjoying my coffee while I tidy the kitchen, living room and prepare breakfast.
AND having it be a part of our daily routine has created a lesser attachment to it, as she knows she’ll get to watch some the next day. It has really worked for our family!
8AM-ISH: Breakfast + Music
While we eat breakfast together and chat, we always listen to music too! It’s an easy way to add nursery rhymes into your day and she loves to dance along in her chair.
*I know this isn’t for everyone, but it’s definitely for us and we love it.*
We’re usually done eating around the same time so I take her to the sink to wash her hands and then she’s off to more independent play. While she’s doing that I’m cleaning up from breakfast, tidying up the kitchen and getting morning snacks ready to put in the diaper bag.
9AM-ISH: In the Car – Adventure Awaits
Listen – Do yourself and your kids a favor and leave the house at least once a day. The “adventure” doesn’t have to be a fancy well-planned thing. For us, it’s the grocery store, running errands, a park, farmstead or a library, etc. – Literally anywhere outside of the walls of our home to break up the day a bit!
To me, this is crucial for your mental health as a mom! Being able to interact with the community, chatting with other moms, getting fresh air – Trust me, it’s good for you. And your kids will love it too.
Right around 9AM my daughter will start bringing my shoes and purse to me and say “bye bye!”- reminding me that it’s time to change the scenery. Getting out of the house is just as important to her!
If you’re a local and would like to visit a library, check out my post featuring the 5 Best Libraries for Toddlers in Kansas City!
11AM-ISH: Back Home for Lunch
Right when we get back home I head to the kitchen to prepare lunch while my kid plays.
12PM: Wind Down + Nap
While my kid goes down for a nap, I also put my feet up. Actually, I’m trying to get as much done for my blog and marketing work.. but YOU should rest and put your feet up.
I never do any house work during this time. This time is all mine and I spend it how I want. Rest if you need to. Do whatever it is that refuels you for when your kiddos wake.
3PM-ISH: Snack, Independent Play + End of Day Drag
We have a snack with music and then she’s off for more independent play! I’ll clean things up from the day and quickly prep dinner. Our dinners are usually done in the insta-pot or we do an easy, well-balanced meal on the stovetop! I love finding easy family recipes here!
The end of the day can really drag, so we try to mix things up by doing a craft / coloring or playing outside, going for a walk, etc!
5:30PM-ISH: Dinnertime + Wind Down
Dinnertime is a great way to “cheers!” to the day and spend quality time together.
We are usually around the table eating right at 5:30PM so she’ll have plenty of time to move around and get some wiggles out before bed. My husband typically works late so it’s just me and my daughter most days.
We start the bedtime process at 7PM which includes getting washed up, pj’s on, sippy cup of milk, brushing teeth, reading books and then bed. We try to have her asleep between the 7:30-8PM.
8PM – Off Duty – Day is Done!
After my daughter is asleep, I head to our kitchen right away to clean up from the end of day chaos and tidy up here and there around the house.
I want to give myself a good day tomorrow, so these are things I must do today! Otherwise I’ll feel behind the minute I wake up.
So, that’s our day! It’s nothing too fancy but we have a lot of fun together. She gets to play a lot – both independently and with me – and we get out of the house explore the outdoors (even if some days that’s just the grocery store).
If you want to follow our daily adventures, come say hi here!
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