Establishing Positive Habits + New Routines
We’ve all been there. On the first day of the month, we decide we’re going to shake ourselves of our bad habits and become flawless, functioning cogs in the well-oiled routines of our dreams. Three days later, we’re back to square one. Creating new routines can feel daunting for this reason - but it doesn’t have to be! The trick is to start small and build yourself up from there. Here are some of our top tips for establishing different types of routines.
Family Routines
We know. Sometimes amidst the chaos of everyday life it can seem a tall order to be in charge of organising the entire family’s routines, but there are a few small things that you can do to feel a bit more in control when spinning all those many plates at once.
Keep a family calendar: On the wall, in your phone, in a notebook. It may seem obvious, but being able to actually see when kiddie playdates clash with adult book club or baby nap time can help save you from (at least a few of) those moments where you suddenly need to be in a million different places at once.
Do as much as you can the night before: Whether this means ironing uniforms or work clothes, packing bags, or doing meal prep, preparing any elements that will save you some of those precious morning minutes will help you to sleep easy and wake up ready to tackle the day.
Meal prep’s the word(s): Picking one afternoon over the weekend to plan and prep even just a few of your meals for the week can make such a difference for those days where you hardly get a moment to think (let alone cook) between client meetings, feeds, and after school clubs! And if you’re looking to get one step more convenient… why not order a box of Mamamade organic baby food to have in the freezer for your little ones? They keep for up to four months and can be prepared in the microwave or oven in minutes! 
Weaning Routines
There really are no set rules when it comes to establishing a routine for weaning. The most important thing is to trust your gut and let your little one lead the way. But establishing consistency in some capacity is really important for your little one’s development, as well as your own sanity! Above are some rough examples of what your baby weaning schedule might look like at different ages.
If you’ve just started weaning, our First 30 Days Weaning Guide is jam-packed with bite-sized, expert information on all the basics, including how to wean your baby, when to wean your baby, how to introduce allergens and so much more. This is a great place to start.
Whether you’re a weaning newbie, have just moved onto a new stage of solids, or are tackling the intricacies of toddler fussiness, we’re always here to talk you through it. Why not book onto one of our Weaning Consultation Calls for some 1:1 advice? 💜
Nursery And School Routines
Whether your little one is starting nursery or reception for the first time, or they’re returning for another year from the summer holidays, getting into the school routine can be a challenging experience from both sides. Regardless of if your little does struggle adapting to the change or not, it’s very easy as a parent to worry that they will. Try to be mindful with your language when speaking about these new beginnings with your little one - avoiding ascribing them nervous or scared feelings before they’ve expressed them and ask them how they’re feeling instead! When you can, speak about the upcoming school year positively so your little one can feed off your positive energy and develop a positive association with new beginnings. For more information on this, why not catch up on our IG Live with experts Sophie and Gemma from ToddlersTeensAndBetween.
After the freedom of the summer months, little ones can find it difficult to click straight back into wake-up times, bedtimes and fixed mealtimes all at once. To make things a little easier, it can be really helpful to start your routine a few days before school starts. This way, it won’t come as such a shock to your little one and they’ll be less likely to associate strict rules and big changes with going to school. You might try doing this in stages - perhaps starting with introducing wakeup and breakfast at the same time each day, then, once this feels normal, start introducing parts of your evening routine.
Creating A Positive Self-Care Routine
Listen. None of this is going to happen if you don’t take the time you need to recharge and take care of yourself. Enforcing habits, even if they’re tiny, that remind you to take care of you, can make all the difference to your attitude, wellness and general organisation, in order for you to be the best parent you can be. Why not start with a reminder to drink a big glass of water in the morning? Then maybe introduce five minutes of meditation or journalling once you’ve put the kids to bed. Starting small and slowly building into a routine that suits you is key here - and don’t beat yourself up if you miss a day, you’re doing amazing as it is.
Why not try repeating the following affirmations to yourself or writing them down every morning this September, and see how you feel by the end of the month? We think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. ✨
🤍 I am capable.
🤍 I am loved.
🤍 I can achieve all that I set out to achieve.
🤍 I am ready for what the future brings.
🤍 I am enough.
Good luck starting those new routines! You've got this.
Love, Sophie & Team Mamamade x
