10 Consistencies Your Kids Need At Home

Consistency in parenting offers stability to your kids when they need it most. Structure is a part of everyday life. We have schedules and routines that work for our homes. Your family rhythms may look totally different than the family’s next door—and they should. Each person in your family is unique and has different needs. One cookie-cutter schedule does not fit all.

But whatever our structure and routine, it is important for parents to maintain consistency, or else the structure will fail. Here are 10 practical ways to show consistency in parenting at home.

1. Mornings

Having a morning routine sets us up for a successful day. some kids are allowed to leave their rooms at 7 a.m., aren’t allowed to watch TV before breakfast, and can expect a hug from the mother or father at the bottom of the stairs every morning. Build a morning plan that works for your family.

2. Mealtime

We need to be reasonable and flexible along with consistency at mealtime.

3.Bedtime

If you find yourself frustrated with bedtime, it might be because you lack consistency.

4. Discipline

Make sure the punishment fits the crime. If you have multiple children, you will start to hear them say, “That’s not fair.” Having consistency in how you discipline is important for maintaining stability and will eliminate some confusion for your children.

5. Chores

What chores do you expect your kids to do? Consistency here creates kids who are disciplined and work hard. Be sure also to tell the kids what the consequences are for failing to do their chores.

6. Snacks

Children tends to ask for a snack almost every five minutes. Building a snacktime structure helps your kids take ownership and responsibility for this simple request. Every day at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., you can allow them to have a snack—and it’s amazing how quickly they can learn to tell time.

7. Technology

Setting technology limits sets expectations that your kids need. Without consistency, you will find yourself putting an iPad in their hands every time they throw a fit and this will reinforce bad behavior. When the limits are established, your kids know what to expect and a standard has been set.

8. Family Time

When is your designated family time? you can try to do something fun on Friday nights together. The key is to make it consistent and ongoing to ensure you are making family time a priority.

9. Respecting Your Spouse

Consistency here includes respecting him/her face to face and behind his/her back. When you talk bad about him/her to your kids, you open the door for them to be disrespectful to your spouse. This is not helpful for your kids.

10. Attitude

You cannot control every situation or circumstance, but you can be consistently in control of your attitude. When you establish a consistently positive attitude, you bring a presence of stability and structure that rubs off on their attitudes.