Routine Printables for Pre-Tween Boy

Once upon a time… I just knew I was going to be such an awesome mom! The non-yelling kind, who is level-headed, calm all the time, rational, sweet as pie… I dreamed of being the mom, no matter how annoyed, still was able to keep her cool and keep a routine going.

Cut to real life.

It was about a year ago when I realized our morning & evening routines were awful (AWFUL!). Between a corporate job, freelancin’ (is that a verb?), mommin’ (definitely a verb), and everything else, I just couldn’t get it together. I was constantly barking at the kid and would then get frustrated when we would leave a backpack at home, forget a permission slip, have dried poptart stuck to his cheek during drop off… you get the picture.

It really wasn’t Aden’s fault. It was mine. I needed to provide him with a routine, where I wouldn’t have to nag, he could follow it easily, and take responsibility for getting himself ready for school or for bed.

I spent time scouring Pinterest. All I could find were morning routines and bedtime routines for much younger children. I needed a printable routine checklist for a pre-tween. I decided I needed to make my own. It took some trial and error. For example, originally I did NOT have “Plug in iPad” on the chart. However, after some complaints over a dead iPad, and one “Mom, why didn’t you plug it in for me?” it got added to the list. I love that I can change and update it as needed. It can really grow with him.

At first, it was hard for Aden to follow. I had to add the clocks at the top, so he knew when they needed to be completed by. I also added a rule, that any time the routine was not completed by the designated time, he would lose his iPad for that day. Usually because the iPad is the culprit behind his delays 😉

Overall, this lists have helped us so much. Instead of me nagging, “Did you brush your teeth?” “Did you comb your hair?” – I can just ask, “Is your list completed? Please double check.” … I do still have to remind him to check the list, and read through it again sometimes. I’m serious, it has REALLY helped though. I am finally that perfect non-nagging mom I wanted to be! (Ha!! Riiiight.)

I printed each routine checklist and laminated them. I feel like it will just last longer that way, and I really like that I can wipe it off after it has made its way into the bathroom (gross).

Feel free to use these as inspiration or to outright copy them for personal use.