Pure Parents

Question:

>>Ok, so now that I’ve vented–how do you all spend your days. I know this >will (should?) get easier as he gets older and his attention span gets >longer, but even so–my creativity seems limited! I’m trying to work up >to doing some singing, clapping stuff in the morning, but I have to find >time to memorize the songs first! I feel like I’m trying too hard, >but… >Any ideas?

My two are nearly 3 and not quite nearly 5 (both girls). Also we’re in UK, so obviously different environment and contacts.  Perhaps reading books with him, colouring, drawing, jigsaw puzzles, peep-bo games (hide and seek later on?) Sorry – you probably do all this already.  From my experience, any words you put to any tune will work … some I used at roughly 8 months onwards for a year or so are now being ’sung’ back to me! Don’t have to be ‘proper’ songs. Good luck. Susan Campbell

Response:

Hi, You can also borow cassette tapes from the library (Raffi, Barney, etc.) to see what ones you like before going out to purchase them. That way you can learn the songs and dance with your little one. Other ideas are blowing bubbles on a carpeted floor (too slippery on wood or linoleum), musical instruments out of kitchen utensils, and perhaps getting togehter a couple pieces of plastic foods, spoons and dishes and have picnics with stuffed animals on the livingroom floor. My 15 month old son loves to "feed" animals. Also, try washable markers and butcher paper in his high chair. My son loves to make a mess and he’s slowly learning not to eat them. <grin>. If he lasts 5 minutes at the activity, I consider it a hit! Good luck, Cathy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Hi– >I’m a part-time working, part-time staying-at-home mom with a 17-month >old son. He sleeps from 7:00 to 7:00 (I know–I’m LUCKY!), and goes to >daycare from about 10:30 to 3:30. Most of the time, I love the time I >have with him–he’s a very funny, charming little boy–and very easy as >toddlers go. BUT I’m running out of ideas! >Here’s my typical routine–breakfast around 7:30. Lambchop at >8:00–somewhere in there he poops and we do another diaper change, then >get dressed. Then, if not sooner, he’s ready to go! His favorite thing >to do is go outside–and we do, but I’m not a big outdoor person–we >live up in the mountains and don’t have a yard–he wants to go out in >the front, and that takes constant supervision. We have the back deck, >and that’s childproofed, but even that I feel I need to be out there >with him all the time, because he’s turning into such a great climber. >Anyway–even outside, his attention span, while good for his age, I >think, is not long–so WHAT DO WE DO? We typically end up going out >around 9:00 or 9:30 and either going into town for a snack, which he >likes because there are a lot of people to flirt with (I figure that I >get karma points for every smile he gets!). Or we run errands or go to >the library or the park. But some days I just don’t feel like going >out–remember the days when you never had to leave the house. I mean, >part of why we moved up here was so that we didn’t have to be in town >every day! >Ok, so now that I’ve vented–how do you all spend your days. I know this >will (should?) get easier as he gets older and his attention span gets >longer, but even so–my creativity seems limited! I’m trying to work up >to doing some singing, clapping stuff in the morning, but I have to find >time to memorize the songs first! I feel like I’m trying too hard, >but… >Any ideas? >Thanks, >Becky

Response:

HI there, I have a 20mnth son , who loooves to sit at his toddler picnic table and blow bubbles, its one of his very favorite things to do. He loves to go for walks in big fields and pick the dandy lions and whatever else he can get his hands on. For those days when I just dont feel like going anywhere or outside, I have a small toddler pool that i fill with 2 or 3 inches of water and put it in the kitchen on the floor. he loves to color with washable markers and pencil crayons in his high-chair. You can make edible finger paint with jello, or pudding, these dont need paper they can just create right on thier high-chair tray, and when they are done it makes for easy clean up although u mihgt have to dunk him in the tub!:-) When i make cookies i always sit him in his chair and give him the beaters to lick , this takes him about 20min to completely clean off. After the first time i gave him a beater he now jumps up and down with excitement everytime i pull them out now

Response:

This sounds kind of wierd, but try taking ice cubes out of the tray and letting your child put them back in. A big hit with mine at this age. Katharine Maus

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi– > I’m a part-time working, part-time staying-at-home mom with a 17-month > old son. He sleeps from 7:00 to 7:00 (I know–I’m LUCKY!), and goes to > daycare from about 10:30 to 3:30. Most of the time, I love the time I > have with him–he’s a very funny, charming little boy–and very easy as > toddlers go. BUT I’m running out of ideas! > Here’s my typical routine–breakfast around 7:30. Lambchop at > 8:00–somewhere in there he poops and we do another diaper change, then > get dressed. Then, if not sooner, he’s ready to go! His favorite thing > to do is go outside–and we do, but I’m not a big outdoor person–we > live up in the mountains and don’t have a yard–he wants to go out in > the front, and that takes constant supervision. We have the back deck, > and that’s childproofed, but even that I feel I need to be out there > with him all the time, because he’s turning into such a great climber. > Anyway–even outside, his attention span, while good for his age, I > think, is not long–so WHAT DO WE DO? We typically end up going out > around 9:00 or 9:30 and either going into town for a snack, which he > likes because there are a lot of people to flirt with (I figure that I > get karma points for every smile he gets!). Or we run errands or go to > the library or the park. But some days I just don’t feel like going > out–remember the days when you never had to leave the house. I mean, > part of why we moved up here was so that we didn’t have to be in town > every day!

Well, I have to say we differ on one big point – I *LOVE* being outdoors, and would be there all the time if I could.  I hate staying inside – so boring!  You said you live in the mountains – well, isn’t there places to take your son exploring?  It’s summertime now – is there anywhere to go swimming up there?  How about buying him a little blowup baby pool and putting it on the deck – I’m sure he’d love sloshing around in it.   And how big is he?  I couldn’t do this myself but can you get a baby carrier backpack, stick him in, and go hiking somewhere?  Or just go look at wildflowers or something.  But if I were you, I’d make use of this great weather while it lasts – you’ll be snowbound soon enough! risa

Response:

>This sounds kind of wierd, but try taking ice cubes out of the tray and >letting your child put them back in. >A big hit with mine at this age.

My own son’s favorite is a bowl of uncooked rice and a few cooking utensils.  He can literally spend an hour or more just pouring rice between cups, stirring it, measuring it, whatever else he can think of.  He’s also good about not spilling it out of the big bowl, but it’s easy to vacuum up when he’s done, and we just save the ‘play rice’ in a large plastic container from one session to the next. Kimberly Weiss Mommy to Kate (6/16/91) and Michael (10/7/94) aka Kiminy on IRC

Response:

(Big snip) >I’m trying to work up >to doing some singing, clapping stuff in the morning, but I have to find >time to memorize the songs first! I feel like I’m trying too hard, >but… >Any ideas? >Thanks, >Becky

Buy some videos with songs and dances. Your toddler will want to watch them all the time and the repetition will help you memorize the words and movements. We do many of the songs from "Get Up and Dance" by Sesame Street and "Dance Along" by Gullah Gullah Island. We also do stuff that sounds terrible as music, but is lots of fun, like banging on anything as drums, humming, "tap dancing" on surfaces (the deck would be great for that) and imitating each other’s silly sounds. Our daughter also loves to scream in bathrooms because of the acoustics. The mountains should be great for that, too! Elena, mom to Dana (18 mos.)

Response:

Hello, There are a number of activities and online fun for toddlers at: http://babyparenting.miningco.com/msubtdlr2.htm I’m sure you’ll find some really neat things you both will enjoy! Best regards – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Hi– >I’m a part-time working, part-time staying-at-home mom with a 17-month >old son. He sleeps from 7:00 to 7:00 (I know–I’m LUCKY!), and goes to >daycare from about 10:30 to 3:30. Most of the time, I love the time I >have with him–he’s a very funny, charming little boy–and very easy as >toddlers go. BUT I’m running out of ideas! >Here’s my typical routine–breakfast around 7:30. Lambchop at >8:00–somewhere in there he poops and we do another diaper change, then >get dressed. Then, if not sooner, he’s ready to go! His favorite thing >to do is go outside–and we do, but I’m not a big outdoor person–we >live up in the mountains and don’t have a yard–he wants to go out in >the front, and that takes constant supervision. We have the back deck, >and that’s childproofed, but even that I feel I need to be out there >with him all the time, because he’s turning into such a great climber. >Anyway–even outside, his attention span, while good for his age, I >think, is not long–so WHAT DO WE DO? We typically end up going out >around 9:00 or 9:30 and either going into town for a snack, which he >likes because there are a lot of people to flirt with (I figure that I >get karma points for every smile he gets!). Or we run errands or go to >the library or the park. But some days I just don’t feel like going >out–remember the days when you never had to leave the house. I mean, >part of why we moved up here was so that we didn’t have to be in town >every day! >Ok, so now that I’ve vented–how do you all spend your days. I know this >will (should?) get easier as he gets older and his attention span gets >longer, but even so–my creativity seems limited! I’m trying to work up >to doing some singing, clapping stuff in the morning, but I have to find >time to memorize the songs first! I feel like I’m trying too hard, >but… >Any ideas? >Thanks, >Becky

L. Johnson Parenting Babies and Toddlers http://babyparenting.miningco.com Free Newsletter – Photo Contest 8/8/97 Feature Literature and the Young Child

Response:

Becky, How about just letting him play.  Most toddlers love filling and dumping — blocks into a bucket, etc.  Big plastic beads that push together and apart, toddler sized building blocks, big cars and trucks he can push around.   Often they like to play with normal household things — nonbreakable kitchen items kept in a low drawer or cabinet.  Get him involved in things you are doing around the house.  You won’t get much done, but he will enjoy it.  Play music for him and let him dance (or dance with him).  You don’t need to know the words.  If he will keep them out of his mouth, you could introduce him to the big toddler size crayons and you’ll get some great artwork.  Toddlers are easy to entertain — you don’t have to have everything planned. Debi – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Hi– > I’m a part-time working, part-time staying-at-home mom with a 17-month > old son. He sleeps from 7:00 to 7:00 (I know–I’m LUCKY!), and goes to > daycare from about 10:30 to 3:30. Most of the time, I love the time I > have with him–he’s a very funny, charming little boy–and very easy as > toddlers go. BUT I’m running out of ideas! > Here’s my typical routine–breakfast around 7:30. Lambchop at > 8:00–somewhere in there he poops and we do another diaper change, then > get dressed. Then, if not sooner, he’s ready to go! His favorite thing > to do is go outside–and we do, but I’m not a big outdoor person–we > live up in the mountains and don’t have a yard–he wants to go out in > the front, and that takes constant supervision. We have the back deck, > and that’s childproofed, but even that I feel I need to be out there > with him all the time, because he’s turning into such a great climber. > Anyway–even outside, his attention span, while good for his age, I > think, is not long–so WHAT DO WE DO? We typically end up going out > around 9:00 or 9:30 and either going into town for a snack, which he > likes because there are a lot of people to flirt with (I figure that I > get karma points for every smile he gets!). Or we run errands or go to > the library or the park. But some days I just don’t feel like going > out–remember the days when you never had to leave the house. I mean, > part of why we moved up here was so that we didn’t have to be in town > every day! > Ok, so now that I’ve vented–how do you all spend your days. I know this > will (should?) get easier as he gets older and his attention span gets > longer, but even so–my creativity seems limited! I’m trying to work up > to doing some singing, clapping stuff in the morning, but I have to find > time to memorize the songs first! I feel like I’m trying too hard, > but… > Any ideas? > Thanks, > Becky

Response:

Hi– I’m a part-time working, part-time staying-at-home mom with a 17-month old son. He sleeps from 7:00 to 7:00 (I know–I’m LUCKY!), and goes to daycare from about 10:30 to 3:30. Most of the time, I love the time I have with him–he’s a very funny, charming little boy–and very easy as toddlers go. BUT I’m running out of ideas! Here’s my typical routine–breakfast around 7:30. Lambchop at 8:00–somewhere in there he poops and we do another diaper change, then get dressed. Then, if not sooner, he’s ready to go! His favorite thing to do is go outside–and we do, but I’m not a big outdoor person–we live up in the mountains and don’t have a yard–he wants to go out in the front, and that takes constant supervision. We have the back deck, and that’s childproofed, but even that I feel I need to be out there with him all the time, because he’s turning into such a great climber. Anyway–even outside, his attention span, while good for his age, I think, is not long–so WHAT DO WE DO? We typically end up going out around 9:00 or 9:30 and either going into town for a snack, which he likes because there are a lot of people to flirt with (I figure that I get karma points for every smile he gets!). Or we run errands or go to the library or the park. But some days I just don’t feel like going out–remember the days when you never had to leave the house. I mean, part of why we moved up here was so that we didn’t have to be in town every day! Ok, so now that I’ve vented–how do you all spend your days. I know this will (should?) get easier as he gets older and his attention span gets longer, but even so–my creativity seems limited! I’m trying to work up to doing some singing, clapping stuff in the morning, but I have to find time to memorize the songs first! I feel like I’m trying too hard, but… Any ideas? Thanks, Becky

Response: