Guide sample

Family Routines Pack

Preview the opening pages on the website before buying the downloadable PDF. The full guide includes 43 pages, printable tools, references and clear professional-help pathways.

Preview pages43 page PDF$15 AUDAustralian-focused
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First YearsFamily Routines Packsample

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Simple support for babies, toddlers & new parents

Family Routines

A practical printable pack for calmer mornings, meals, bedtime, care bags, appointments, first foods tracking and weekly planning from birth to 5 years.

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Quick summary

The calm version

Routines are tools, not tests. A useful routine helps children know what comes next and reduces adult mental load. It should be short, visible, flexible and kind enough to bend on hard days.

PredictableSame steps, roughly same order.
FlexibleGood routines bend on hard days.
VisibleCharts help toddlers and preschoolers.
PreparedNight-before prep saves mornings.
GentleConnection matters more than speed.

First Years principles

  • Routines are not about perfection. They are repeated patterns that help children feel safer and help adults remember the daily essentials. [1]
  • Visual routines, photos and "first, then" language can help toddlers, preschoolers and children who need extra processing time. [1][2]
  • Repeated patterns can support sleep, meals, behaviour, independence and parent wellbeing, but they do not replace professional support for health, feeding, sleep, development, allergy, behaviour or safety concerns.
  • Australian movement guidance supports active play, limited long sitting, limited screens and consistent sleep habits for children from birth to 5 years. [3]
  • A hard-day version is still a routine. Using the shorter version is not failure.

Printable command centre

How this printable pack is organised

Print the tools you need

This pack is designed for the fridge, bag station, weekly reset or appointment folder. Read the guidance lightly, then use the worksheets heavily.

If you needStart withPrint
A routine that fits real lifeRoutine basics and routine builderRoutine builder worksheet
A simpler hard-day planThe 10% easier versionHard-day routine template
Age-based rhythmsAge rhythm map, newborn, baby, toddler and preschool pagesAge rhythm templates
Morning or bedtime helpMorning and bedtime sectionsMorning planner and bedtime chart
Bag and admin supportCare bag, appointments and weekly plannerBag checklist, health folder checklist, weekly planner
Food trackingMeals and first foodsMeal rhythm, first foods, allergen and texture trackers
Shared loadWho carries what?Shared load worksheet and parent rest planner
Child needs visual supportsVisual routine card bankVisual routine cards

Suggested section order

  • Cover and quick summary.
  • Routine basics, routine builder and troubleshooting.
  • Hard-day routine versions and age rhythm map.
  • Newborn, baby, toddler and preschool rhythms.
  • Morning, meals, bedtime, care bags and appointments.
  • First foods, weekly planner, shared load and visual cards.
  • Scripts, normal/help tables, FAQs, printable tools, resources and references.

Visual and printable tools

  • Routine charts.
  • Trackers.
  • Checklists.
  • Parent scripts.
  • Visual cards.
  • Weekly family planner.
  • Shared load worksheet.
  • Parent rest planner.
  • Health folder and appointment trackers.

Unlock the full PDF

The full guide includes 43 pages, printable tools including visual routine cards, morning pressure audit, care bag checklist, shared load worksheet, trusted resource links and safety guidance. It is part of the First Years first 2000 days library.

Also available in bundles

Bundle options keep related guides together and reduce the total price.