Making routines fun!

That whole bedtime routine can seem a little bothersome some nights, can't it?  Now that our kids are getting a little older (relative, I know) we're trying to let them take on a little bit more responsibility for their own self care (especially Ava who is six.  Wyatt still needs a bit of help but he wants to do what his big sister does).  I created routine charts for them with velcro pieces that they can place on the chart as they complete each bedtime or morning task.  All of the charts that you see below are available in my Teachers Pay Teachers store.  I recommend printing blank ones, laminating, and then personalizing the tasks with a wet-erase marker.

I decided to go with a space theme for the bedtime charts, and then did something slightly different for both of their morning charts.  But I'm getting a head of myself.  The biggest obstacle we have as a family when trying to get just about anything done is:  can we find the supplies we need?  I decided to make Self Care Boxes for both of the kiddos.  Whether they're getting themselves ready, or if we're helping them, all of the required supplies will be right at our fingertips.  I purchased the bins and much of the contents from the Dollar Tree.  I printed the labels from my computer and laminated them.  Both boxes contain pretty much the same thing with one difference:  Wyatt's has hair gel and Ava's has hair ties.  The other items are a toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, brush, flossers, wash cloth, timer, mini spray bottle, and band aids.  Does anyone else's kids go through bandaids like it's their job?!

For their morning routine charts, I made Wyatt's with a puppy theme (because puppies are his favorite animal).  I made Ava's with a panda theme (because pandas are her favorite animal).  I think I'm going to hang all of their charts inside our bathroom linen closet on the door so they don't travel too far and lose pieces.  This morning I awoke to the sound of velcro chart pieces being taken on and off and on and off and on and off.  Ava came into my room BEFORE 6 a.m. to let me know that she had completed all of her morning tasks. 

I can't believe how excited Ava was when I introduced the new self-care boxes and charts to them before bed last night.  She kept saying "This is so much fun!"  and "Wyatt let's clean up so we can put our first star on the chart!"  She spent an hour the following morning just taking the stuff out of her bin, laying it out in front of her, and then putting it back.  So far, developing consistent routines and new habits is going well.  I'll keep you posted.