Parents set up an after-school routine for their toddler – he’s never enjoyed doing chores more

Getting a child to follow a routine is a challenge for most parents, as their little ones tend to resist tasks that seem boring. The unexpected mood swings make it harder to keep them focused. Therefore, it's important to find ways to make their routine interesting and engaging. A video shared by a mom named Agnes, who goes by @agnes.more.than.mom on TikTok, has gone viral for showing a creative and engaging after-school routine she and her husband came up with for their toddler. It includes a variety of activities to make sure the child is completing all his tasks on time without throwing a fit.

The overlay text on the video reads, "Last September, we set up an after-school routine chart for our toddler, and he thrived with the structure. So, we added more of them." The routine chart included all the basic activities like putting on pajamas, brushing teeth, brushing hair, reading a book, and more. Undeniably, this is an innovative and fun approach to make your kid follow the after-school routine, while keeping their attention intact. As the video went viral, parents everywhere praised the useful parenting hack, while a few others also shared the methods they use to make their child more responsible.

One TikTok user, @pegasus.4ee, commented, “In 1988, I made an archaic version of this for my child. Used magazines and cardboard. She was an anxious, on-task individual, and this helped us so much.” Another person, @non1m0uz3, wrote, “We laminated a bunch of activity cards with magnets on the back and they could put on the fridge what they wanted to do the next day and in what order, and then put them in a basket when done.” Similarly, @gabby52810 shared, “Structure worked so well with our girls. Every day, they knew what to expect, especially our evening routine - dinner, little play, bath, stories, bed. For us, it worked.”

@vrose8181 chimed in and praised the parents: “As a daycare worker, I am in awe of this wonderful idea. Wonderful parents. We desperately need more parents who take parenting more seriously! All kids need structure, even the most difficult child.” @_anxo also said, “So happy to see this! A visual schedule is a very useful tool also used in speech therapy. Gives the kiddos more intrinsic motivation to complete tasks and a sense of control. Great for transitions, too.” @navymom68 shared, “I used charts and behavioral necklaces from ages 3-6, we’re going back to 1993. We raised 4 happy, healthy, independent, successful adults. I rarely had to discipline my children.”

Doing the same things around the same time every day instils a sense of discipline in the child. When they know what comes next—like playtime, snacktime, or bedtime routine—it makes their life more organized. At the same time, these routines benefit parents too, making it easier for them to handle everything without feeling overwhelmed. Therefore, this parenting hack on TikTok can come in handy for all parents struggling with their child's routine or organization.

You can follow @agnes.more.than.mom on TikTok for more parenting tips.