Ask Charlie shares her tips for keeping routine during lockdown

Charlie Gray has her own website where she shares tips on how to create the perfect home.

She has created a downloadable PDF to help parents plan their day.

Her tips include:

- Keep a routine as much as possible – having a structure to the day is settling for everyone in difficult times.

- Getting dressed and ready for the day shows you mean business and ensures you're more productive.

- Structure your day in advance so everyone knows what’s going on as much as possible.

- Plan your meals for the days ahead so you have what you need or you have time to think outside the box. Explain to your family that it's not a time to be selfish or wasteful e.g no fussy eaters and don’t waste food.

- I have put 'household' in my timetable and rota because then it's not a job or a chore it's helping the family run more smoothly.

- Even if you have young children get them involved where possible to dust and hoover etc.

- The children need to help with the household otherwise you will be frazzled so get them involved. It might take longer to begin with but they will get there so keep persevering.

She adds: “At difficult times it's about pulling together and working as a team.

“Get outside every day if you can. Exercise, run, walk, cycle, just try to keep as active as possible.

“Create and complete a gratitude list for each member of the family to write three things they are grateful for each day to keep up morale and mindfulness.”

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Ask Charlie: Going back to the basics of domestic choresA message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

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