It’s officially a fact … I’m going to lose my mind completely very soon if I don’t create a schedule for the daytime!
Now that the boys are all settled into their school routine, I suppose it’s also time that we settle into one at home. Getting used to the boys being gone all day feels like a little more of an adjustment than usual this year. Bugs and Monkey were used to being entertained and, let’s face it, I was pretty used to the help … but not the mess (I just won’t go there right now though).
So I’m a little stumped. I have some great resources to get us through a couple stretches of the day, and there’s always naptime right after lunchtime which is pretty much set in stone. So what do I do the rest of the day with 2 two year olds and a five year old?
Did I mention that the 2 two year olds REFUSE to play with toys???? They will play with toy telephones which I find a little funny since I’m almost never on the phone LOL.
So, I’m a little lost. I have some great activities (Wiggle,Giggle,Learn), but they don’t last long and frankly I’m always a little nervous to go on a Field Trip.
Arts and crafts typically end in chaos so I’ve put a brief moratorium on them. They like to color, but only for a few minutes (then the floors, walls, doors and anything else begin sporting lovely mixtures of crayon colors).
Watching tv all day isn’t exactly the answer either, so I need input (ooooh, sudden flashback to “Short Circuit“). Here’s what we have so far …
- An unfortunate wake up time of about 5:30 or 6am (something that is truly about to send this particular mommy over the proverbial edge).
- Whine at mom ’till breakfast is served (a given).
- Eat breakfast (by 6:30 usually unless by some blessed miracle they sleep in later).
- Watch a little tv so mom can serve the big boys breakfast, pack lunches and generally make sure that they get themselves going in the morning (big boys would actually RATHER be sleeping – go figure).
- Get big boys off to school.
- {Huge Gap Here}
- Lunchtime 11:00 or 11:30 am
- Naptime Noon ’till 2:30pm
- Cuddle time after nap
- Boys start coming home (though there is sometimes a little gap here too)
There you have it. The grim reality. May not look so bad, but that 4 hour span of time between when the last bus pick up and lunchtime can feel like an eternity sometimes as I look blankly at them.
So, if you have an idea or a website, please feel free to leave a comment and share with us all! I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one in this boat! So many other moms could benefit from even just a little idea! I’m not asking you to fill the entire gap …. Rome wasn’t built in a day …. just one idea at a time!
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September 18th, 2008 at 7:30 am 1
Ugh – I\’ve been having a similar issue with Becca since school started. I can\’t imagine having two 2-year-olds to deal with! In my case, I try to get us out of the house as much as possible, but it\’s easier with just Becca. I need some better options for while we\’re at home though – I\’ll be checking back to see what kind of ideas you get!
September 18th, 2008 at 8:16 am 2
My first recommendation would be to disallow the early wake up! LOL I’m guessing they can recognize something specific, so if you put a digital clock in their room with a “picture” next to it that has the acceptable wake up time on it, maybe they can learn to stay in bed until then (quietly!)? My mom used to have to do this with my little brother (he’s now 31). It worked like a charm for her!
September 18th, 2008 at 8:59 am 3
Rediscover the backyard! We have a back lanai that is a covered area, so sometimes I sit our there and read while the kids play with trucks and trains. There are no markers out there, no TV, and no slamming refrigerator. It’s amazing what they will find in the grass or in the planters and use to entertain themselves. Sometimes mine will use fallen leaves or rocks. They stare at birds or listen for barking dogs. Playing with the same toys outside makes them new for some reason. I take advantage of my screen door, though my toddler just knocked it in recently. They play right in front of the door, on the lanai, and they are not allowed to go around the corner of the house where I can’t see them. If you can invite a friend with kids a similar age over NO MORE than once a week, the kids will play outside endlessly. You can sit outside with them or NOT as long as you are watching them.
If I go on field trips, it’s somewhere that has a free program. Our libraries have an 18 month to 3 year old free puzzle time and story hour. I am not facilitating anything except their good behavior if they want to stay.
Then there is pushing the good old stroller. I walk the preschooler to school and push the toddler in the stroller for a walk afterward. No more complaining about how I cannot get exercise.
And sometimes…there is just no way around it. I have to plunk myself on the rug with the toddler every day, but I give myself a time limit.
September 18th, 2008 at 10:32 am 4
Playdates, library storytimes, and the park are some of the staples of our mornings. Mine girls will be 3 in a few months and we usually have 1-2 playdates each week for a few hours in the morning. It’s just easier when there’s another mom there. Even if it means 2+ more kids. Plus, a chance to talk to another grown up is a huge sanity saver for me.
I rotate my toys so they don’t get tired of them. It might not be that they don’t play with toys, it might just be they’re looking for something new. I also buy toys cheap at yard sales so that we have a lot to rotate without spending $$$. I used to do sidewalk chalk for arts&crafts when we went through that “everything’s too messy” stage. It brushes off their clothes and washes away in the rain.
Finally, if your local library does a story time they can be a lot of fun. Mine does a booktime/playtime thing where the kids can have a free for all with the toys afterwards. Good luck!
September 18th, 2008 at 1:17 pm 5
I have found something that has helped my gap in the morning. My little guy gets up a little later than yours (so sorry about that!) and I have found that after breakfast we start to get ready and I hit the gym for an hour. Our fitness center has a great childcare room and it has really become my son’s little play group each day. I never thought I’d say this, but I love the exercise and in turn I know it gets us out of the house and it get my son the interaction and playtime he can benefit from.
I never thought it would work for me…but it has and it has really paid off. Just an idea…
Good luck! I know the feeling! Sometimes my guy gets so bored of his own toys and will just start whining for no particular reason…UGH…I hate that!
September 19th, 2008 at 12:53 pm 6