is it too late to get my 21 month old son into a routine?

Question

my son is 21 months and has had routines, but these have always been messed up by going into his own room, moving house and now, going into a toddler bed. until he was 15 months, we lived with my fiance's parents and it was just impossible to get him into a proer routine because his parents always messed it up. now we've got our own flat and i really need to get him into a routine, is it too late? id love to hear from anyone with similar experiences

Answer 1

It's never too late to do anything - children love to have routines. They feel secure when they know what to predict.
It's better to get into a routine now, then to regret not doing it when they are 21.
Be patient. Routines are good for everyone, including the parents

Answer 2

You can get into a routine and so can your son. Even if it's not a rigid routine it can be a certain calming rhythm. It's important for your son to know what's going to happen. I would start with a bedtime routine. Give him a bath, read him a story and sing quietly to him as he drifts off to sleep. Then start with a waking routine. He wakes up, has breakfast with quiet music in the background, gets dressed and then start his day (at daycare or home). Every day is never exactly the same, but just as you feel comfortable with certain routines or rhythms so will your son. Maybe, make a certain day(s) of the week where the family always has dinner together or a certain day of the week you always serve his favorite dish (spaghetti on Wednesdays). Slowly as you get a routine or rhythm slowly other aspects of your life will follow. Enjoy this time and don't be too rigid. Life has an ebb and flow. Good Luck!

Answer 3

I wouldnt say its to late although it may take a while for your child to settle into a routine but dont give up, work out a routine that suits you and your family then stick to it no matter what. In time your son will get used to it. Why not set up a reward chart where your child gets a reward sticker every night he does well with the routine, kid thrive on praise and this will add a bit fun into it. If you wish to you could also reward your childs good behaviour by taking him for a treat at the end of every mth to encourage him. It could be a trip to the park, a picnic or buying him a small toy, keep it varied and he will love it. good luck

Answer 4

I had five of a family. I found that toddlers are usually happiest when allowed to do their own thing, whether it was eating, sleeping or emptying the pans cupboard. (If he does this just give him a wooden spoon and let him drum away on the pans. It will keep him busy for a while!). Routines set in once they go to school, poor little guys (or gals). In the meantime sing lots of nursery rhymes, and chat, chat , chat to encourage their vocabulary , give lots of cuddles and laugh a lot. Don't pour him into a mould too soon. Only going to bed at night should be routine, with a story read every night . Good luck!

Answer 5

No, it's never too late. We ourselves have been trying different routines all of our lives. When I was in the Navy I had a routine of getting up at 0400 in the morning, getting a shower, getting dressed, getting breakfast, went to work, did my job, went home by 1500 hours. I spent six years in the Navy. Now I'm married, I have a 16 month old son, and I have a totally different routine. I don't get up until 0800, I work all day until 2300. What a difference, huh? So, no it's not too late.

Answer 6

As everyone else said it is never too late. I had the same problems with my daughter. It wasn't until she was 3 going on 4 that she got into a good routine. She started preschool, so when she didn't want to go to sleep at night, she was grumpy all day. It was sorry, but hell for like the first week. But you just have to stand by it, move plans around just so it doesn't mess with what you have planned. My daughter is 5 and the days she goes full day at school. I make no plans for the night before. And on Sunday's she goes with her grandma, I insist that she be home by no later than 5:30, with no nap. Grandma doesn't always get it, but hey they don't stay up all night with them huh???? Good luck, and just stay strong.

Answer 7

Its never too late to have a child on a routine. Start as soon as possible and be as patient as you can. Hes a bit older now, so it might take some time. Just keep to the routine and he'll eventually get it.

Answer 8

I too lived at home with my parents and could not get my son into a routine. I moved out and within a week and after a few tears he was in a bedtime routine best thing I ever did now I have me time.
good luck

Answer 9

No, it's never too late. You will have to be extremely consistent, and explain to him what you'll be doing a few minutes before each transition, but after a couple of weeks he'll get right into the routine. He'll thank you for it in his own way once you have done it. It's going to be work but it's worth it.

Answer 10

Its never too late to get a child on a routine but it will be harder the first couple days maybe even a week. I lived with my parents until my daughter was 3 and it was so hard to get her on a proper routine living with them. Once we moved, I started getting her on a routine. It was hard at first - trantrums and all that good stuff but I stuck to it and before long she was on a stable routine that fit both her and I. Good Luck hon.