For some of us, organization comes easy, while for others, it’s a chore. Whether you fall into the first category or not, as a mum, you will realize that you can’t really be effective without being organized.
I can hear panic buttons going off; calm down. Being organized doesn’t mean you have to fit into a box or be uninteresting. Being organized with regards to children means establishing a routine they are used to and works for them.
What do I mean? Let’s take a basic one; meals. If you have more than one child, you probably have children with different tastes and likes. I can remember I used to be frustrated every time, my help came to ask me what meal to prepare for the children. I hated to be put on the spot. Because there was breakfast, then a snack, then lunch, then an afternoon snack, then dinner. How was I to think of a meal five times a day? Then it struck me; make a timetable! I had one for the house, why don’t I make one for the children? I honestly thought it was going to be easy until I started. I went to a bookshop, bought a snack book, spoke to my friends and came up with one. It wasn’t easy but guess what? It works. So monthly shopping became more detailed because I worked with what was on the timetable. Each morning, it was also my responsibility to check the timetable to make sure that they had all they needed. Something so basic has brought such peace.
If your kids are as young as mine, they probably don’t wear uniforms. I learnt it was a lot easier to lay out the clothes for a week out the weekend before than to do that every morning. I could make a few adjustments during the week but it would take me a few minutes nothing more.
What of the routine for nap time and bedtime? When my kids were younger, I had no idea how they would ever adjust to nap time. Sometimes, we’re afraid that if they took a nap during the day, there goes the end of a good night rest. So I decided that if they didn’t want to sleep, that was okay, but they were expected to lie in bed for at least an hour. Bedtimes for school days and weekends are essential. Do you plan weekends? What about homework? What about recreation? What do they do for fun? Children need a routine?
I can hear you say, that’s all so stiff and boring. First of all, one important thing you should know is that kids love routine. Routine breeds discipline. After a while, when children are used to routine, you worry less because they have cultivated a disciplined lifestyle. Secondly routine frees you. One of my dearest friends called at about 8.30pm one evening, as we were talking, she was wondering why she couldn’t hear any voices. I told her that the kids were in bed already so it was my alone time. That’s another good thing about routine; you get some few ‘me’ moments when you can do what you want to do.
We established a routine with my children to read the bible and pray with them at night before they sleep. Some nights I’m really tired, I just want us to say a quick prayer and turn off the lights but my son won’t let me. “No mummy, I want to read my bible.” I try and explain that I’m tired. I tell myself that even Jesus understands but my son will have none of it. We have to read the Bible.
In organization and routine, we find the power of discipline and responsibility. What more could we ask for from our children?
Contributed by Sola Agudah
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