Strict schedules

So this question is not directed at me whatsoever my son and I have absolutely no schedule
But I have had friends who have strict schedules and in my personal opinion, both myself and my son are way happier and more chilax. Then, my friends have been with their kids because we have no scheduling.

It’s more so just me wondering because I’m young as well as my husband so we tend to like to do things one day and might not get home till like 12am so then what 😅

Someone said a routine is better than a schedule so you know your kid wakes up they eat then have a snack take a nap wake up eat again etc etc go outside before or after their nap. I think whats more important is a bedtime routine so your child knows its time for bed. I feel like strict schedules are hard depending on the kid.

I dont have a strict schedule persay— but I do have a pretty black and white routine that is easily adaptable depending what we are doing every day. Wake, eat, play, eat, sleep, play, eat, play, bed. Sleep in my house is not negotiable so yes, I very much plan our days around sleep. Right now that means we are home or on a long car ride from 12-230, and bedtime is 730 (that means our routine starts at 7). And no, I don’t feel bad about being stern on sleep. I know my son (17 months old), and he thrives on a solid sleep routine so we make it work and pretty much everyone in our life understands, and if they don’t oh well. I’ve learned what works best for us.

I just had my third Oct 2025. My oldest is 3.5yo and second is 2yo. We have a strict schedule for sleep. There are random times when bedtime or nap gets pushed 30min-1hr and the next day is always rough. Kids need predictable schedules and routine. When my kids get less sleep they have so many tantrums the next day. Ive also realized that since our routine is so predictable that I dont have very many struggles getting my kids to sleep. Ive heard some people have nightmare bath/bedtimes when the babies become toddlers and young kids. We haven't had any issues like that. My kids just know its time and dont fight it.

But if my husband i have or want to do something, we plan it for when the kids are in bed. Then we have my BIL come and sit on the couch while we are out. We are super protective over who watches our kids so we dont get out often. But we are both fine with it because our kids safety comes first.

If it's a special occasion we wing it. Usually the routine helps for these times too if they are off schedule. We will pack PJs etc for carride home so they fall asleep in the car we just transfer to beds easily then.