Turning Time Battles Into Teamwork ⏳✨
Happy Thursday! You made it!
If your mornings feel like a combination of Groundhog Day and an Olympic sprint, you’re not alone. Parents everywhere are telling me that time — or rather, their kids’ relationship with time — is one of their biggest stressors right now.
Our lives move so quickly — texts ping constantly, calendars are packed, and the world expects us to keep the pace. Our kids? They’re often on an entirely different– much slower– timeline.
The thing is, time is abstract for kids (and honestly, even for some of us adults), their priorities are rarely the same as ours, and their brains literally aren’t wired yet to fully “get” time.
So, we have two choices:
Keep nagging, yelling, and hoping they’ll just get it.
Build routines that turn time into something kids can see, touch, and even help create.
This week, I’m sharing a fresh approach to routines that goes beyond checklists. Here’s what works:
Turn mornings into a predictable flow instead of a power struggle.
Give kids ownership so they’re not just following rules — they’re participating.
Build in flexibility (because life happens) while still getting out the door on time.
Routines aren’t about forcing everyone to move in lock-step — they’re about creating a rhythm that helps everyone feel calmer, connected, and ready for the day.
Real World Strategy:
Pick one part of the day that feels the most chaotic — mornings, homework hour, bedtime — and build a mini-routine just for that time block.
Example: If bedtime is the hardest part of your day, create a simple 4-step flow:
Bath or shower
PJs + teeth brushing
Pick tomorrow’s clothes
Read together for 10 minutes, sing two songs, one hug, one kiss, one I love you sooooooo much.
The end.
Post the steps where kids can see them (bathroom mirror, bedroom door) and walk through it with them each night. Over time, they’ll begin to anticipate what’s next, and you’ll spend less energy reminding, redirecting, and negotiating.
🌊Want to dive deeper? To learn more about creating rhythms and routines that work for your family, stay tuned for the Routines section of Parenting in the Real World (I’m writing it as you read this!)
📚Resource of the Week:
Want to stop nagging and start teaching your kids how time actually works? Check out my very favorite time management tool, the Time Timer. They have a free app, too!
💬 Join the Conversation:
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Missed a good one? Want to revisit past nuggets of wisdom? Find them all here.
👋 Need More Support?
If you’d like help building routines that actually work for your family, reach out here. Parenting doesn’t have to be this hard.
You’ve got this. And I’ve got you,
Cari
p.s. Forward this to a fellow parent who’s running late to everything. Let’s build calmer mornings together. And if someone sent this to you — nice work, you have thoughtful friends! Click here to sign up and access the full archive.
