Occupying young children
Megmarc commented on my yogurt post: I'm very impressed. I have to ask though, how do you do all of this w/Kathrynne? Does she play by herself the whole time or is she still asleep? My son is such a sweetie, but I would never be able to make all of those things w/out him requiring my attention every couple of minutes. Just looking for a tip or two. :) -Megmarc
First off, please don't think I have my act together! I'm learning right along with you. Also, remember that I worked as a mother's helper to families with three to ten children from the time I was 12 until I got pregnant with Kathrynne and I grew up with many younger siblings. With that sort of background, one should hope I would at least have a tiny headstart on childcare. Remember too that I only have one child - one very pleasantly-dispositioned child. I'm not pregant, I'm not nursing, and most nights I sleep at least six or more hours straight. In addition, my husband, of his own volition, does a lot to help me out - often running errands, taking care of Kathrynne, going to the grocery store, etc. All that to say, if it sometimes seems like I accomplish a lot, keep those things in mind. :)
Secondly, just because I got up and put the freshly-made yogurt into containers, baked cinnamon raisin biscuits for breakfast, made chicken tortilla soup for dinner, and cleaned the kitchen before eight o'clock a.m., that does not mean I am usually quite that efficient. In fact, truth be told, sometimes at that time in the morning, I haven't even gotten out of bed. I'm definitely no superwoman, that's for sure!
However, all that aside and to the real question at hand: How do I keep Kathrynne occupied in order to get things done? Here are some things which work for me:
- Get up before she gets up. If I can get up, take a shower, read my Bible, get some tea made, and some laundry going before she wakes up, the day goes much better. This doesn't always happen, but this is my goal.
- Utilize highchair time. I've found I'm definitely most productive in the mornings. Therefore, I try to accomplish most of the cleaning and at least some of the cooking as early in the morning as possible. When she gets up (and hopefully I'm dressed and ready for the day by this time), she usually almost immediately eats breakfast. I put her in her high chair with her breakfast and then stay close by working on cleaning and cooking. She's usually content in her highchair for 30 minutes - first eating her breakfast and then watching me. With her content and "strapped in," I'm able to do quite a lot in those 30 minutes - often making dinner, cleaning up the kitchen, and a few other daily cleaning jobs. Since our home is so small, I am able to watch her, talk to her, and interact with her the whole time. I often put her in her highchair in the afternoon for a snack and let her stay there for 15-20 minutes while I finish up dinner or the laundry or other cleaning jobs. We've pretty much always done this since the time she began sitting in her highchair and it works well for us.
- Use the ERGO. This is another great tool in my Mommy "arsenal" - If I'm doing cleaning, I can just strap her on my back for 30-45 minutes and she'll usually be very contented. Not only is she able to be right there with me, she's unable to make messes when on my back.
- Let her "help" me or play close beside me. Yes, this isn't quite as efficient or effective as the other items mentioned, but I've tried to train Kathrynne to stay close beside me when I am working. I often talk to her and explain what I am doing or we just play and giggle while I'm working. It takes some effort and discipline to teach her to play with her dollies on the kitchen floor while I'm cooking but it does pay off. As much as is possible, I try to have Kathrynne help me with what I'm doing. Right now, we're working on learning to follow directions. I'll give her one simple direction and have her see it through. ("Some to Mama" "Put this in the trash" "Go get me a washcloth" "Put this in your drawer" etc.).
- Lower my expectations. This might seem out of place here but it is an important lesson I've had to learn and relearn in my short mothering tenure. Don't expect to get a lot done when you have a young child around. During the day, Kathrynne is my priority. If that means other things wait, that's okay. If we have a simple dinner, that's okay. If I don't get all the laundry done, that's okay. I'd rather be spending my time enjoying my daughter while slowly accomplishing daily tasks than being frustrated with her because I didn't check everything off my to-do list.
I know this short list is completely unexhaustive. I'd love to hear from any and all other mothers on this subject. How do you keep your young children occupied so you can accomplish things? What works for you? What would your response be to Megmarc?
posted by Crystal Paine at 2:41 PM
12 Comments:
I'll admit, occasionally I allow my kids to watch tv so I can get caught up. I'll turn on one episode of Gerbert or VeggieTales and get as much done as I can before it is over. At the end of the show, I'm usually done and we discuss what moral lesson they learned from the show.
Sometimes they color or play with play-doh at the kitchen table while I cook.
We also have quite the collection of seasonal window clings. I let them put them up and move them around.
I think I do the same things as you, except using the ERGO. George is over 30lbs and over half my height. I think I would break my back. lol!
However, an ERGO might help with Harry. He is SO clingy. Much more than George ever was. He is starting to do that crying when I leave the room. George never did that. I just don't want Harry Bugg to get too attached that I have to always be carrying him, but I do like peace. When I put him down...there ain't peace.
Sarah: Don't worry, I do DVD's sometimes - we have the Baby Signing DVD's that Kathrynne loves or a violin concert one she also loves to watch. However, I have found that I really try to limit myself in using this and only as a "last resort" because it was easily becoming a "babysitter."
Window clings is a good idea. Kathrynne has started to really enjoy magnets on the refrigerator and I want to get some of the letter an number magnets for her to play with. It keeps her occupied for a long time!
Zan: I'd kill my back hauling around 30 pounds in an ERGO, too! Kathrynne only weighs about 20 pounds right now.
Dear Crystal, Riley is a few months older than Kathrynne. (Beautiful spelling by the way. I love it!) Anyway, my day sounds so much like yours. We've also trained Riley to wait/watch/work with us as we do different things. He helps put the dishes away, put laundry in the dryer, "sweep & mop" the floor, etc. It makes for a very peaceful day. I work at home (for a family insurance company). I typically get up before Riley and work before he's awake and again during his nap time.
Do you ever wonder if you could continue what you do and have a second child?
Has your husband found a law firm to work for yet?
My DD is 2.5 yo and she is just (within the past few weeks) starting to play independently for a good time span. For example, she will play with her Fisher Price house while I cook supper or clean the kitchen. It is wonderful, I must say. =) We talk or listen to a classical CD.
Sarah, the window cling idea is great! I betcha that would work on the refrigerator door.
Erin
Catherine (the Davis Chronicles): Sounds like me - I usually work early in the mornings and then during naptimes. I have, however, been cutting back on my working time since Kathrynne is getting older and Jesse is now working full-time (Yes, woohoo! He started working full-time this week at the law firm he was previously working part-time at. I'm so excited for him to have been offered this job - it really is a dream come true for him and we aren't quite sure how to handle having his pay more than quadrupled! The only downside is that he has to travel rather regularly.)
I know that when (Lord-willing!) we have another child, I'll definitely be cutting back more. Especially when he/she is first born. However, since I was juggling working as the marketing manager for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine and our business and I'm now just handling our business, things have calmed down so much. Right now, it is at a very manageable place, especially since the business pretty much works like clock-work. That's why I've been cooking, and knitting, and sewing, and cleaning, and reading so much! :)
Sorry for the long-winded answer. By the way, I took a peek at your blog and your family is precious. Riley is adorable! I'm so glad you can stay home and enjoy him.
Sorry Jesse has to travel so much. My husband is going to leave for a whole week pretty soon. I'm so bummed. But, congrats on the job! The extra income must take some stress away.
Crystal~I don't really have any better ideas than what you've been given, but I did want to say Congrats on Jesse's job! That is wonderful.
Blessings,
Sommer
Raising children (and being productive with them around) is definitely something I'm going to have to learn from scratch. There are only two children in my family (me and my sister), and we're close enough in age that I never really got to be a help. I also don't have much babysitting experience. The only 'real' childcare experience I have is with the Sunday School classes at church... I am *really* looking forward to any children God blesses us with, but honestly I do feel like I am starting too late learning all of this. All of these tips are invaluable to me!
We have five little ones, five and under so this is an area in which I am becoming more creative.
I usually devote their waking hours to being with them. That includes general cleaning and daily chores, school, cooking etc.
They love to play outside, so sometimes I can use that time (while I am watching them) to get a little something extra done.
I try to accomplish things that require a little more concentration (home management, meal planning, reading, working on our websites,sewing etc) during nap time or after they are all tucked into bed for the night.
I also squeeze some of these things in when I am sitting down with the baby (well, not sewing, though when he was younger I did sew with him laid across my lap!)
Once in awhile I will set them all up with little projects around the table (stringing Cheerios on a string, sticking pn into felt, cutting material, etc.) while I sit down to sew and they love that.
When I am baking or making dinner I will often have one or two of them helping me. (Sometimes they all help, and boy, oh boy is that ever a lesson in patience)
I do also resort to short videos or DVDs usually once or twice a day. We only have one Signing Time DVD, but it is great and the whole set is on my wish list. My children also enjoy watching the Moody Science DVDs, as well as a few other well worn videos.
I am also just plain old having to learn patience, how to discipline myself so I don't waste a speck of time (a goal which I have not yet reached), having to lower my expectations and simply put some things aside for now.
This is still an area which I am working on daily
Harmony, don't worry! You're not starting too late! I feel that because I've had the past experiences I've had, much more is required of me ("to whom much is given, much is required"). God will give you grace for whatever He calls you to!
Jennifer, thanks for the great encouragement thoughts. I highly value your wisdom!
I have 3 children ages 6,4,3 and 1 in the oven. I find it very challenging to keep my younger 2 busy while working 1 on 1 with my oldest. They love to watch vidoes which we limit to about an hour a day. They color on the marker board, play with the felts we use for school (which requires alot of patience because they get all out of order), they love to paint and they really like that crayola wonder paint.
While I am cleaning I get them to help if they don't want to play in their play room. They sort socks and pick their underpants out of the pile. They each put their own cloths away- although not always neatly. I try to use vinegar or baking soda for most of my cleaning so they can help with out the dangers. If I am cooking they help. One thing nice about three kids in such short time is they play pretty well together. That helps. One thing I have learned is that not all things work for everyone. It takes trial and error to figure out what is best for your family.
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