How important is sticking to a schedule to you?A certain time for breakfast for kids and lunch and dinner,A certain time also for bedtime. Do you feel like it is better for the kids that way?

I'm not much of a schedule person. If we're hungry, we eat. If we're dirty, we bath. The only things we are strict on is bedtime. Otherwise, I'm a free and easy person.

I try to be free and easy but that doesnt always work. Right now my girls sleep schedule is screwy and we are working to fix it. We are not too much for schedules exact on eating, but within an hour or two maybe.

For most things on demand is better. However sleep is the really important thing, because without a schedule a child may simply not sleep enough.

Many people will tell you that a schedule is incredibly important, but keeping a really strict schedule might mean putting life on hold. Some flexibility is needed.

Children can adapt to parents sleep routines quite easy. This happened with me working night shift and the father working days, so I know for months it was pure evil trying to get anything on a schedule with my oldest. I don't want to do that again with my girl, but being out of town for abit and in a new place messed with her normal schedule so we are working to get it back now. Sleep is O so important, its not like we can catch up on it!

I find that the schedules are very important. Especially once kids get to school age. I find that they are much more stable and less whiny when it comes to doing everyday things. It is like they get used to doing things and like the routine.

I've always been a fan of schedules in a loose sense. Breakfast before school, lunch, homework or reading time after school, dinner, playtime then a bath, and bedtime. Not a strict eat breakfast between 7am and 7:15am type schedule but more of a breakfast between 7-8am. Bedtime is important as it getting enough sleep but everything else is more flexible especially at a younger age.