Nighttime Routines That Work
Linda Wechter-Ashkin Ph.D NCSP BC-TMHC ADHD CCSP
Morning routines are hard and nighttime routines can be even as difficult especially in families where after school activities can last until the evening. The more involved you choose for your family to be in extra-curricular activities, the more organized you will need to be.
- Just like for the morning routines make a list of what needs to be done for each person before bedtime and this includes adults
- Showers, dinner, checking homework, making lunches, picking out clothes, preparing backpacks and work items are all part of that list.
- Decide how long the nighttime routine will take for each person and what time bedtime is and then do the math.
- Create a nightly schedule that includes everything on the list and the time slots for each activity. Again, if there are evening activities the time frame might be different depending on the night so you may need more than one schedule
- Decide on rewards for getting the nightly routine done on time and consequences for failure to do so
- Just like the morning routine you will need to practice this, so I suggest starting in the summer, or practicing on the weekends and during holidays off from school and work
