Ideas for enjoying your children
I'm a SAHM of a 1 and 2 year old, and I have a question for you. Even though I grew up in a large family, (I was the oldest of 8) I don't remember "playing" with my brothers and sisters when they were very young. Instead I "babysat" them. I have loads of ideas for when my daughters get older... but for now, I'm running out of ideas of things to do with them. I want to enjoy playing with them, instead of trying to find things to do to "pass the time." I was wondering if you had any ideas for activities to do with young girls? I'm trying to think of things that I can do with both of them at the same time. I just thought I'd see if you have any input. ~Christie
Great question, Christie, and how wonderful that you have a heart to enjoy and invest in your daughters instead of the mentality, "Let's see what we can do to keep them busy and preoccupied so they will stay quiet so I can get things done." I think young children should definitely know how to happily preoccupy themselves for short periods of time, but they also need a lot of Momma-time. It's hard when they are little and have very short attention spans, but here are a few ideas of things that work for us:
Reading - I know this is a no-brainer, but I think it is such a good thing to do with children of any age. I try to read books on different levels to Kathrynne - some which are very colorful and very simple to understand, which she can sit next to me and listen to, others which are above her level, which I read to her while she is doing something else. When Kathrynne was first born, I read these more difficult books to her while she nursed. As she got older, I have been reading these types of books to her either during lunch or during afternoon snack time. I only read a few pages or less at a time. We also read something short from the Bible everyday - breakfast time is when we do it right now. I read very simply and expressively to her and stop often to explain things in terms she can understand. I also keep it short.
Singing - Kathrynne loves singing together. At this point, we pretty much stick with songs that have a lot of hand motions and are short and simple. She loves it and will often ask to sing or just start up on a song and come over and motion for me to join her. Again, keep it simple and exciting. Make up some hand motions if a song doesn't have them.
Involve them in what you are doing - Kathrynne loves to "help" me clean and cook and sew and package orders. Although she can't really do a whole lot to actually help right now, I try to have her by my side for a good portion of my cleaning time so that she is learning and will soon be able to actually do things to help. Right now, I will give her a clean damp rag and ask her to wipe up something right next to me. I give her lots of praise and affirmation for her "work" and talk about how important it is to help mommy. I also try and explain to her what I am cleaning, how I clean it, and why we clean. Little by little, she's taking it all in and learning. I will have her help me rinse the dishes, or dump the flour into the bowl when I am baking, or help take the clothes out of the dryer and put them into the basket. If I'm knitting, I'll give her some yarn and her knitting needles and show her how to do it and let her have fun trying for a bit. Once again, keep it simple. Most little children love to help if you make it fun and exciting for them.
Have a plan - I think this is one of the most helpful things for me. After lots of trial and lots of error, I've found that a simple routine works best for us. I have it printed up and put in a plastic sleeve in a 3-ring binder. As the day goes by, I consult it often and use a dry erase marker to cross off things as we do them. It is not our rigid taskmaster, but just a guide for the day. It helps to keep me on track and helps me to remember to do the things with Kathrynne I want to do during the day and to make sure we get the main things done in the day that Jesse wants us to do. It also keeps me from feeling lost and out of ideas. I try to focus the morning time (between breakfast and lunch) on cleaning, making dinner, and spending time with Kathrynne. Afternoons are very relaxed and have much less scheduled. In fact, I don't plan anything specific during naptime. That way, if I want to take a nap myself, I can do so without neglecting something else!
If you don't have a routine or are running out of ideas of things to do, I recommend you consider something like this as maybe it might help you, too. Sit down and write down those things you need to accomplish in a day and the things you want to do with your daughters, and the things you'd like to do in a day. Start with the must-do things and assign them a place in the routine and then fill in any extra time with other non-essential things. Plan times and things to do with your girls, times when they can help you, etc. Have a singing time or a reading time or puzzle time or help momma time. Keep it simple, don't overdo, and don't plan too much, especially at first.
Those are just some very, very basic ideas of things which work for us. I could write a whole lot more, but I'll stop here for now. I also recommend you check out Raising Godly Tomatoes, if you are not familiar with that site. Lots of great ideas and encouragement from a mom of 11. Another good one is Preschoolers and Peace. I don't, obviously, implement all of the ideas on these websites, but I've gleaned a lot of helpful information.
I'd love to hear from others on this, as well. Please chime in and share your answers to Christie's question. If you've written something on the subject on your blog or know of another great website, leave the link in the comments section.
posted by Crystal Paine at 7:12 AM
13 Comments:
My two oldest are girls that are 22 months apart. When they were really little, I did everything you mentioned. I think what helped me most to enjoy them was just playing with them. Letting them take the lead. It was so tempting to get upset with their constant interruptions while I read a book. But when I would ALLOW them to interrupt, ask questions, point out something interesting in a picture, I learned fascinating things about their personalities and their thought processes. And we laughed so much more when I let them initiate a game. They can come up with unique ideas that an adult would never have the imagination to create themselves. Mostly, I think it just takes practice. The fact that you're DESIRING to enjoy your children more is a WONDERFUL first step!
I have three children five and younger. I am homeschooling my oldest while trying to maintain order with my 2 year old and 8 month old. My 2 year old girl loves to color. I will put all three children at the table and let her color while I am teaching the older one. The baby sits in his highchair and plays with blocks or cars. My children like to do crafts as well. They love to finger paint, and it is easy to make finger paint for them. You can even use dissolved jello for the paint! It's fun to watch them create things together.
I enjoyed this post - I recently started babysitting two girls just the ages mentioned, and find myself often in the same predicament. Being the oldest of 7, I've had lots of opportunites for involving younger siblings in work, but as far as just spending time playing with them, and that at 4-5 hours at a time has held it's challenges! Their attention span is very short, and not being a parent, there is only so much I can do to encourage longer projects that will stretch them. All of what you suggested that is possible for me as a babysitter to do, I have used, and I am hoping to see more comments from those in similar situations. There have been times I have resorted to sticking a movie in (something I would not want to practice as a parent) just out of sheer frustration and lack of ideas. This age group definitely has it's unique set of challenges!
I definitely second the idea to have your little one "work" alongside you! Throughout our years of childraising and homeschooling, I've seen so many experts and book authors extol the value this. Your child will enjoy any time spent directly with you, and at that age they don't see any difference between work and play. Matter of fact, when they play, they often play real things like "Mommy" and "house"... so why not let them do the real thing? And, if we show them that we have fun doing work... by whistling and singing and making a game of it, they won't develop the need to be constantly entertained by programmed activities.
It's also a good idea to just plain have fun with them... show them that Mom too can be silly, run and skip, and play with Playdough!
Kim :-)
I think as time goes on and the more you do it, the easier it gets. My kids are 6,4, and 3 now. We do all sorts of things together, from going to the grocery store to shop (they love to weigh the produce!)...to the library weekly for our book runs, to taking nature walks. I had these grandiose ideas that spending time with my kids had to be fancy, fun, exciting activities. If you try to do that all the time you will only come out frustrated and worn. Learn to enjoy the everyday life together...and you ALL will be the happier for it. Of course, a good old fun activity like putt putt or pizza is a fun diversion once in awhile, but teaching kids to enjoy the daily life activities is a huge lesson in contentment!
When they were littler, I was worried how I would fit time in for all of them. I tended to underestimate how much the little ones COULD do! :)
Just jump in there, head first, try it out and learn as you go. when in doubt, pray! :)
Crystal,
I also let my four-year-old help me w/chores. Isn't it funny when they do such a good job it looks like an adult did it?
I second all of the things you recommended, Crystal. Keep those little hands (and minds) busy!
I heartily amen the third idea(and have applied in our situation as well: Always have them by your side being a helper. Involve them in what you're doing. My 3 year old is GREAT at this, and because of daily training he can vacuum (really well!), can take his dishes to the dishwasher after meals, pick up after himself, and knows all the ingredients I need for chocolate chip cookies! LOL
If the Lord continues to bless our family with little ones, I know I'm training great helpers for future days! :o)
In His joy,
Mrs. Wilt
Hi! This is really off topic, but I have a question! Does anyone know the best way to clean silk plants? They get so dusty, and I have read how to clean them before, but I can't remember what the best way was!
Little ones sure do love to help! One day when I was helping out at my older sister's house after the birth of her 3rd child, I was cleaning the kitchen floor. Sara, my almost-3-year-old niece noticed what I was doing, and immediately began to help on her own accord. She found herself a rag, and begin rinsing and scrubbing right along with me. She found it such fun, we excitedly went on to clean the bathroom as well!
Whenever my niece and nephew visits, their favorite thing to do is to help me cook. I enjoy doing it with them, for not only does it keep them occupied, it also produces a wonderful result - delicious food!
I've also learned that they enjoy being on routine. When I visited for 10 days, we soon established our routine - read in the morning, rest time at a certain time, playing outside after rest time, a game in the afternoon and so on. They enjoyed knowing what came next!
Thank you for the great post! I agree with everything that Crystal said. I have a 20 month old and a 3 month old. Keeping little little ones occupied is a constant challenge. I try to always be mindful that I am loving my children when I play with them. Even taking time to lay down beside and talk to my 3 month old is a way of serving and nurturing him. Eph. 5:2 is a constant reminder to me that I need to walk in love as Christ loved us and GAVE HIMSELF... Getting down and just playing is a great place to start. You learn where they are at developmentally and you gradually get ideas in the process! Thanks again for the post!
Cleaning silk plants... I think I read you can stick 'em in the shower for a bit. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
Actually, using your little one as "helper" can work with younger ones, and boys too!
My son is 16 months (almost) and loves to help me "wash the windows" (he helps wipe the window with a squeegee), "fold the laundry" (I use the crib as a laudry basket, and put him in there. He loves to hand me clothes or .. throw them at me! We also practice naming clothes and family members.), and even mop the floors! (we have very slight Swiffer that he likes to push around). Lately he helps me brush lint off of clothing with a lint roller. All of this is fascinating and fun to him.
Of course he gets plenty of boy-time (roughhousing with daddy, playing with cars, etc.), but we do enjoy our housework together!
Best!
Wendy
This may not be what you're looking for but I just launched a small product with 2 online friends at
http://www.kidsactivitycalendar.com
It might help with ideas, songs and poems, etc.
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