Comments on: Reader Poll: Are Routines Good or Bad?

By: Claire

Claire — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 17:16:13 +0000

I wonder how many of these routined children have a melt down when they are taken out of the routine? If you raise your child to be independent, self reliant, and for them to know you will ALWAYS be there for them, then this is all that is needed. It is one thing to have a child who is neglected, but FOR ME, having my child in a routine as a single stay at home mom makes no sense. If she is tired, she sleeps. If she is hungry, she eats. We have an open schedule that revolves around her. This obviously can’t work for everyone, but it works for us. It frustrates me to no end when other people tell me I should put her on a routine…for whose sake? She is GREAT when she is playing with others or is at a friends house. The only problem she has is that she wants attention if I am around others, and this is not ALL the time. Routine has nothing to do with it. I think the parent should do what is in the best interest of THEIR child. People need to stop telling other people how to raise their children, if the child is not being hurt or neglected

By: Ryan

Ryan — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 04:57:38 +0000

Tough question… I voted bad, simply because routines tend to get a tad boring.

It kind of reminds me of the movie “Stranger than Fiction” with Will Ferrel playing Harold Crick. Predictably brushing his teeth every morning, then going to the IRS and twiddling his life away.

I think routines are a good base to develop successful habits starting out, but shouldn’t be a 7 day a week deal.

New experiences are what make people grow and routines often limit us from doing that. Unless your routine is consistently having new experiences!

Either way – not a fan of the lifestyle of Harold Crick which I think many people fall into.
.-= Ryan´s last blog ..The Not so Simple IRA =-.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 08:38:25 +0000

Hi, I’ve been reading your blog for a while, but not commented.

I would have put running on autopilot in the case for camp because I relate autopilot to forming and keeping good habits. When I set a goal (like exercise more:) ) I want it to become part of my routine, something that becomes automatic. Autopilot routines also means I can expend brain energy on higher order thinking, or at least that’s the aim. My fav book on this is way outdated but still relevant, William James’ book on habits.

By: Ralph

Ralph — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 09:25:15 +0000

Routines are good but just like all things, they have a shelf life. Routines are good until they get stale and need to be changed.

By: Ken

Ken — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:28:29 +0000

I think routines are good. They give us time to do important things…we have to decide what those important things are. As a parent I see the benefits of this with raising children. I like Dr. Sams comment about scheduling time to be creative…that can be done.
.-= Ken´s last blog ..Recession Employment: Diversify Income Streams =-.

By: Dr. Samantha

Dr. Samantha — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:41:08 +0000

I am a big advocate of routines. Each of the “negatives” listed above about routines can be easily turned into a positive.

* They become ruts -> but if it’s a rut that you are designing and creating to live the life you want to live, then it’s a great rut. Who would want to leave that eden?

* They limit our creativity -> but we can create our routines. And moreover, with our minds freed from having to worry about what-when-how, we actually have more mental space to create the things that really matter to us.

* They allow us to run on autopilot -> can be a good thing. Save brainpower for the big creative exploits in your life.

* They resist change even for the better -> this is where you have to be the inspired creator of your routines, not the slave to them.

* They lead us into a box -> of our own design. See the first bullet point.

* They keep us from seeing new opportunity -> again, by freeing our minds from many what/when/how, we actually can see things more clearly.

* They become bad habits -> see point about being the creator. You just need to be mindful if the habit is working for you, or not.

* They make life mundane -> see point about freeing you up to create more!
.-= Dr. Samantha´s last blog .. =-.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:03:39 +0000

Money Funk – We love them and hate them, don’t we? Routines can be a blessing and a curse. They bring stability and reliability into our lives, but at what cost?!?

By: Jeff

Jeff — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 20:59:20 +0000

Lana – Where do you get hung up trying to decide about routines? I’m curious if we have the same questions.

By: Money Funk

Money Funk — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 18:38:35 +0000

Why do I roll my eyes at this one? Oh ya, cuz I hate routines! But, I do give my credit to them.

I detest routine. My husband lives by them. My children need them. And they have helped me to clean up my act in many ways.

So as much as I kick and scream about them, I have to go in favor of having routines.

Why do I throw a tantrum about them: yes, because they keep you from seeing new opportunities, they are repetative, they are ruts, mundane… oh ya.. you listed all that.

So, I try and shake up my routines at times. As for the kids… they can make that choice to follow them or not AFTER they move out of my house to live on their own.

Great post for thought!
.-= Money Funk´s last blog ..How we are surviving the holidays without Credit Cards =-.

By: Lana-DreamFollowers Blog

Lana-DreamFollowers Blog — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 04:49:04 +0000

Great poll, this is the question I've been thinking a lot lately myself and couldn't find a definite answer. .-= Lana-DreamFollowers Blog´s last blog ..Life Purpose: Do you avoid challenges? =-.