Jodi Zaugg
July 17, 2024
“We started putting our boys on a schedule when our oldest two boys were 3 ½ years and 5 months old after listening to the Mom’s Notes, “Structuring Your Children’s Day Part 1 and Part 2”. We had faithfully followed getting your infant on a feeding, wake-time and napping routine that we had learned from Baby Wise. However, it was revolutionary for me at that time when I first learned about how to structure my preschooler’s day. We loved the results we got from the Baby Wise routine, so I immediately went all in with structuring my preschooler’s day.
I started with book time and then added things like puzzle time, blanket time, and sibling time. As a result, there was a significant change of peace and order in the flow of the day. And, oh how I treasure now looking back on all the “Sibling Times” we captured on video. Back then, it was just a normal part of our day, but now, as our kids are teens and in their young adult years, those videos are priceless.
Looking back, what are the results of structuring their formative years? I contemplated a list of how I currently see the benefits of learning the life skill of how to schedule their day. Granted, some of the things on the list may seem small and trivial but it is surprising how many teens haven’t been taught these basic skills.
· Consistently wake up on their own for school and work.
· Consistent hygiene schedule (Hallelujah!)
· Take initiative on scheduling activities with friends, passion projects and school projects.
· Looked up to as leaders in sports and at school.
· Finish school assignments on time with no missing assignments.
· Stick through things that are mundane or hard.
· Go to bed at a good time on school nights. (Weekends are a different story)
· Eat dinner as a family and connect about our day. No one brings their cell phone to the table.
· Sunday Family Game Night followed by a Family Meeting to get the family on the same page for the week. We pray for the upcoming week as a family.
· Do Saturday chores and laundry on their own.
· Follow a daily bible reading app.
· Confidence to try new things.
· Understanding of boundaries and their limitations. They are more tuned into what their emotional and physical state is.
This is just a quick list of some of the benefits we have seen from when I structured our children’s day in the years when they were growing up, and now seeing them do it on their own in their teen years. I hope this brings hope and a deeper sense of purpose as you consistently work on structuring your toddler and preschooler’s day! It is well worth the time and effort it initially takes to start and the steadfastness it takes to keep on doing it day after day! You are building a strong foundation that will make it seem like second nature when they are older! And please take a minute to video some of the everyday moments throughout the day! You won’t know until years down the road how precious capturing your 4-year-old brushing his teeth, help putting dishes away or separating laundry will be! You’re doing great, Momma! It’s worth it!
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1
Jodi and her husband Paul have been married for 21 years and reside in Burlington, IA with 2 of their 4 children still living at home. They are actively investing in their community through several businesses and ministries. Jodi is the founder of Live Your Purpose, which helps women break free from their past so they can live out the God given purpose for their life.
For more information on Structuring Your Child”s Day, the Mom’s Notes presentation Jodi talked about check out Structuring Your Child’s Day here:
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