real moms, real information, real life
I thought I was the only one. That every other mom out there somehow had it figured out but me. I … [Read More...]
The recipe I'm featuring today was such a GREAT find I am so excited! I have been wanting to do … [Read More...]
Around here lunch time can be monotonous. My poor kids pretty much eat mac and cheese, chicken … [Read More...]
As February enters most of us start thinking about the end of Winter and looking forward to Spring. … [Read More...]
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.
Welcome to A Frog In My Soup! My name is Shera and I am the mom behind the "Soup" or the "Frogs" whichever you happen to be reading about. My hubby and I have been married for 18 years. We have 6 sons that frequent these pages: CJ (16), Salesman (13), Tater (12), J-Man (8) & The TwinkyDinks (or Tweebs depending on their mood) - Bugs & Monkey (6 & 6). This blog is a little piece of my life, a large piece of my sanity and even a bit of my heart thrown in. There are days I laugh … Read more
RSS
Facebook
NetworkedBlogs
Twitter
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!
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!
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.
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!
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!