How do you build routines for the family when you can’t for yourself?

[Jengirlmama]

What context? For instance getting showered and dressed by a certain time every morning, shutting off devices by 8:00 pm making my kids do chores and giving rewards, unloading the dishwasher daily, taking out trash daily

[QuirkyCookie]

It's been tougher with what's going on. I've been setting alarms and timers for more things. I have a master list to remind me of the everyday basics. I also leave myself "roadblocks", e.g. setting the garbage can in the middle of the kitchen so I can't forget to get the garbage to the curb.

[GatsbyCat]

Hi Jengirlmama~

Welcome to the group! Yeah being organized is a tough one for us ADHD'ers.

QuirkyCookie has some excellent advice below. Also, look at the "Get Organized" newsletter from Maria Garcia. She's a professional organizer with some good ideas that you can adapt as well.

BTW, cute picture!! How old are the kids, and can they help out too by having a chore list that they can do?? Simple things- setting the table, making their beds, getting themselves ready by certain time??

Maybe they could help out by coming up with a list of things that they can (and will do) in exchange for computer time?? Just some thoughts

Good luck during this strange period of time!! Much luck and good wishes on your journey.

[Jengirlmama in reply to GatsbyCat]

They are now 10 and 12

[GatsbyCat in reply to Jengirlmama]

At ages 10 and 12, they are capable of doing easier chores. For instance, they can bring their own dirty clothing to a laundry basket at end of each day.

WebMD has good advice for kids doing age appropriate chores at this link:

webmd.com/parenting/feature...

You alone, can not do everything! Plus responsibility is good for children to learn; by the time they are old enough to go off to college, jobs etc.. they will know how to care for themselves.

And Traccee below is accurate in that it all is fluid. Days will change, etc, someone is ill and we all have to adjust.

Hope these ideas are useful during this difficult time!

[Traccee]

Once a routine's in motion,

Something changes.

So we do the best we can. As we grow.

The entire household is going through it.

There is no perfect way. It's consistent change in motion.

[HonestAbe]

Tips:

- Shower/bath the night before.

- The clothes everyone wore today, goes right into the washer.

- Use "Color Catchers" in the washload (can combine colors and whites)

- Preset washer to start washing at 5:00am then toss in dryer when you wake up.

- Don't fold clothes - use hangers for everything!

- Hang tomorrow's outfits (socks and undies too) in the bathroom ready to put on.

- Preset dishwasher to start at 4:00am -dishes are warm for bkfst or dry to put away.

[GatsbyCat in reply to HonestAbe]

Hey, great ideas! I will steal those myself! Thanks so much.

[Jengirlmama]

Thank you for those suggestions. As they say if you start your day right, it will set you up for the rest of the day.