The routine queen
You know the type…
Never a minute goes by without Routine Queen checking her schedule – woe betide anything that gets in the way of her baby’s feeding, sleeping or eating time!
Most likely to say…
‘Sorry, I’ll have to pass on coffee after all – Charlie needs his nap at 11.01am and he’ll be all out of sync if he misses it.’
The problem?
Everyone has their own way of doing things, but mums that are in a really strict routine can sometimes find that their schedule has a knock-on effect on other friends and social commitments. ‘There are quite a few mums at the groups that I go to who are doing Gina Ford and sticking to a strict routine, but it’s not always that practical and it has its limits,’ says Sophia Carlton, mum to seven-month-old Florence. ‘For instance, they’re so strict with their time that they will only see you at certain times of the day!’
How to cope with her…
This kind of mum can make you feel like you’re just part of her schedule, or else that you’re doing things wrong because you’re more relaxed with feeding or nap times. But, says life coach Gladeana McMahon, it’s natural for friends to develop different beliefs. If Routine Queen’s schedule is driving you crazy and she regularly cancels play-dates or coffee mornings because they’re not suitable for her, then gently bring the issue up so she realises how you feel. Try arranging to meet on a regular morning that suits you both – that way, it will become part of her timetable.
