Why Routine Matters
Living with a four-year-old and a two-year-old means that boredom simply does not exist. The days are full of movement, noise, and unexpected situations. Chaos is sometimes unavoidable, especially when one or both children are sick.
During illness, the daily rhythm can completely fall apart. Even a simple virus means hours of extra care: steam inhalations, potty trips, diaper changes, using a nasal aspirator, wiping noses, chasing children with tissues, cleaning eyes with saline solution, and trying to keep everyone comfortable.
Despite this, I have discovered that routine with toddlers helps both the children and me. When the day has a structure, I do not have to constantly think about what comes next. Everyone already knows the rhythm.
With two strong-willed and very active children, routine is not just helpful—it is necessary.
Our Morning Routine
Our children usually wake up between 7 and 8 in the morning.
The morning routine itself can take one or even two hours. During that time we wash faces, hands, and teeth, get dressed, prepare breakfast, eat together, and wash the dishes afterward.
Once the morning tasks are done, we go outside for some fresh air.
Starting the day this way helps everyone wake up properly and gives the children a chance to move and explore.
Midday Activities
After being outside, the children usually have playtime.
Later comes lunch, and my two-year-old son takes his afternoon nap. My son has Down syndrome, so keeping a consistent routine helps him feel calm and secure.
When he wakes up, we usually eat a warm meal. After that, the children may watch a little television, play indoors, or sometimes we go outside again if the weather allows it.
Evenings are mostly about spending time together as a family.
Evening Routine
Before bedtime we have another meal and then slowly prepare for sleep.
The children usually go to bed between 8:30 and 9:30 in the evening.
Having regular meal times—usually four or five meals a day at the table—works much better for our family than constant snacking. I simply cannot spend the entire day managing snacks and cleaning crumbs from everywhere.
With proper meals and a clear rhythm, everyone sleeps better and feels better.
Sharing Responsibilities at Home
While the children are playing, I usually handle household tasks such as preparing food, washing dishes, and tidying up.
My partner takes care of other responsibilities like taking out the trash and recycling and heating the stove. Our robot vacuum cleaner also helps keep the floors clean.
Since we recently moved, some work is still ongoing. In the evenings my partner continues assembling cabinets and furniture.
Thankfully our new home has a large room where the children can run and play, which is very helpful when the weather outside is muddy.
Screen Time Without Daily Battles
Screen time is a topic many parents struggle with.
I do not forbid cartoons, but I absolutely refuse to fight 24/7 power struggles over screens.
To avoid this, I chose a television and internet package that does not include children’s channels. We only have regular channels, and one of them shows cartoons for a couple of hours in the evening.
The children usually watch about one hour a day, sometimes a little more on weekends.
The rest of the day we read books, sing songs, play instruments, play together, and spend time outside.
Children will have plenty of screen exposure later in life anyway, so I prefer to delay heavy screen use as long as possible.
Routine During Therapy Days
Of course, our schedule is not always the same.
On the days when my son has therapy sessions, the whole routine changes because traveling to the city takes almost the entire day.
On Wednesday evenings I also have choir rehearsal, and during that time my partner spends the evening with the children.
Still, even when plans change, having a basic routine helps everything return to normal more easily afterward.
Welcoming Guests in Our New Home
Our routine has also helped us settle into our new home.
On weekends the rhythm is similar, except our daughter stays home instead of going to kindergarten. Sometimes she also has a free day during the week.
Recently we have had guests visiting both Saturday and Sunday mornings, which gives me a chance to bake something nice and welcome people into our new home.
The children enjoy visitors as well. My son, who has Down syndrome, is very cheerful and social—he quickly becomes everyone’s favorite. Our daughter is also smart, energetic, and very capable.
I feel incredibly proud of both of them.
Preparing for Life With Three Children
Soon our third baby will arrive.
When that happens, the daily routine will revolve mostly around breastfeeding. From experience I know that feeding a newborn takes a large part of the day.
I will try to keep the older children’s meal times and my son’s nap schedule as consistent as possible, but I also know that life with a newborn is unpredictable.
Thankfully my partner will be able to spend more time with the older children.
The Most Important Moments
In the coming years, my life will continue to revolve around our children.
But that is exactly where I want to be.
The most important part of every day is not the routine, the cleaning, or the cooking. It is the moments when we hug, kiss, and comfort each other.
Those small moments of closeness are the best part of family life.
You are not alone.
If this story resonated with you and you’d like to go deeper, you can explore my e-book Our Journey – A Different Path. It offers honest reflections and lived experience beyond this post.
If you’re looking for practical support, I’ve created Routine Templates to help parents and children navigate daily life with more clarity, structure, and understanding.
You can also read my previous posts or follow along on Instagram @parentguidancehub, where I share everyday reflections on parenting, family life, and finding balance.
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