Attention SAHM's!!!>>>>>>>>>>

[pinkdiamonds1007]

Kind of off the Disney topic..but you all seem so nice..I thought I would post this ? here, What do all of you SAHM's do to keep your kids busy all day??? I have a 3 yo daughter..who I am trying to keep busy most days by myself as my hubby works 16 hour shifts most days....*temp.* and am finding myself in a lost tunnel of what to do next..any ideas would be great!! Thanks..
Nicole

 

[lovebuzz]

save up a bunch of toilet paper rolls and in the morning paint them and then in the afternoon when they are dry you can decorate them with stickers. Add a ball and you have a fun bowling game.

 

[DisneyTeasers]

Here's some of the things I do. We have one son, who's 5. I get him to help me with all the "chores" that have to be done in the mornings. Since he was about 2 he's been helping me sort laundry by colors, put it into the washer/dryer and fold and put it away. He "helps" me wash dishes and load the dishwasher, make beds, dust, vacuum, sweep. His favorite thing to do is help me cook, and although it takes me a lot longer when he's "helping" he's gaining skills that I hope one day his wife will appreciate!
We are also homeschooling, so we spend lots of time reading,both him to me and me to him, working on learning to write, counting etc. And everyday I give him some "free" time, completely unstructured so he can play outside, do puzzles, play video games, basically do what he wants.

I know what you mean though about frantically trying to fill the hours. When he first gave up his morning nap, I wasn't sure what I would do to occupy that time!

I guess what it comes down to is this. Involve your DD in whatever you are doing and she'll love it.

 

[Stephres]

I read the book, The Happiest Toddler on the Block, and it mentions three things you should do with your toddler every day: active play, art play and reading. I try to make sure that I hit all three with my three year old.

Do you have a YMCA close by? I like to take her there to play in their kids area, which has a huge structure so she gets her active play in and I can work out too. Ours also has swim lessons and sports and ballet classes for toddlers.

Art play doesn't have to be messy. I bought her a tub of foam shapes to stick on construction paper, let her play with play dough and color. I also found a kit at the craft store that has string to thread through foam shapes and beads to make necklaces. She loves this and will play quietly for 20 minutes at a time.

I also take her to the library once a week to look at books and read. She loves to pick out books (especially princess books!)

HTH!

 

[PoohBearLovinMama]

I belong to my local chapter of the MOMS Club (www. momsclub.org) and we do a lot of activities with them. Things like playgroups, park days, picnics, trips to local zoos and such. They also usually have a moms night out which is really fun!

We also go to the library for story time, a toy store to look at and play with some toys (we don't buy anything unless I need it and she doesn't seem to have a problem with that so far), in the cooler months we sign her up for a once a week "gym" class, stuff like that.

At home, we do the usual arts and crafts, cooking, playing, clean up time etc etc.

 

[twinmommyks]

I have 4-yr old b/g twins and a 9-yr old. Here's a list of some of our activities:

activities at the library (story hour, craft time, etc.)
children's movies (during the summer)
swimming (if I have another adult along to help me)
running through the sprinkler at home/water fun!!!
blowing bubbles
going on a nature walk around the block (collecting leaves, etc.
to make an art project)
riding our bikes/wagon ride/roller blading
reading time
computer game time (learning games, of course)
art projects (I have an entire cabinet of art supplies)
stamping/playdough/coloring/drawing/playing cards (go fish, etc.)
puzzles/waterpaints/fingerpainting
creating a campout in the living room using large blankets
picnic time/pizza party (decorate their own mini homemade pizzas)
making cookies/helping prepare supper (tasks depend on which child/skill level)
minimal t.v. time (2 (30 min shows))
sidewalk chalk
going to the park
simple play time in our playroom
board games
going to a local museum (have a year family membership)
Fridays are cleaning day and they get to dust, help vacuum, help sweep, help fold towels, put clothes away, etc.
Work on activity pages from books or ones I have printed from the computer
Playing catch, soccer, softball, (4-year old version)

It is a challenge keeping the kiddos busy, but having been at home for 8 years now, I have it figured out (most of the time). Now that my twins do not take naps, I do require one hour of "quiet" play per day. They can play/rest/read in their rooms for one hour. This is mostly a break for me to do things (like check the dis boards), return emails, etc.

Now that our oldest is 9, we also have things for him like swimming lessons, cub scout activities, basketball camp, golf lessons, movies, time with friends, and baseball to work into our schedule.

My dh works from 7:00 a.m til 6:00 p.m. so I too have a full day to keep our three children busy. Two of them are very active and get bored easy and one prefers to stay at home and play with toys/friends so that adds to the challenge.

Have a great day. Our next week will be filled with Disney fun - leaving in 2 days!!!

Bren

 

[rt2dz]

You've gotten a lot of great suggestions already, but I'll throw my $0.02 in too. I try and plan the week out in advance. I arrange playdates/have a playgroup meeting (depending on the child); we take advantage of our local movie theaters (amc & cinemark here) and do the $1 or free movie each week; we've been to the zoo; hit the local parks (& frequently picnic there); picked up an activity book for arts & craft projects; read; take walks/ride bikes; tour local places (firestation, ice cream factory) or other day trips; gone fishing; swimming & swim lessons; karate (or other sport) lessons; vacation bible school (some churches start here at 3); MOPS/mom's clubs (Support for yourself is EXTEREMLY important); playing outside (bubbles, sidewalk chalk, sidewalk paint, toys/scooters/balls, etc); bible studies with child care; museums, especially the Children's museum. And that's all I can think of right now.

 

[pinkdiamonds1007]

You've gotten a lot of great suggestions already, but I'll throw my $0.02 in too. I try and plan the week out in advance. I arrange playdates/have a playgroup meeting (depending on the child); we take advantage of our local movie theaters (amc & cinemark here) and do the $1 or free movie each week; we've been to the zoo; hit the local parks (& frequently picnic there); picked up an activity book for arts & craft projects; read; take walks/ride bikes; tour local places (firestation, ice cream factory) or other day trips; gone fishing; swimming & swim lessons; karate (or other sport) lessons; vacation bible school (some churches start here at 3); MOPS/mom's clubs (Support for yourself is EXTEREMLY important); playing outside (bubbles, sidewalk chalk, sidewalk paint, toys/scooters/balls, etc); bible studies with child care; museums, especially the Children's museum. And that's all I can think of right now.

Thank you to everyone for the good ideas...I bought this book today called The Busy Book for Toddlers..It seems to have alot of good ideas as well...so, i am using the previous posters idea, and planning the week out ahead of time. I did so a little pit previously..but nothing to the extent that I am planning on now. Don't worry nothing too dramatic!! lol... Thanks to everyones ideas..they really helped...

Have a great day.
Nicole

 

[SHADCT]

I'm a Stay AT Home Dad. I have two girls 3 and 7 and a third on the way. I have to give you my ideas. My oldest was in Daycare from three months till 5 when she entered Kindergarten. I've been home since my second was born. My oldest child needs to be constantly involved in something. She can do little on her own like just keeping herself amused.
My 3 plays on her own and is very socialable. I really think the "managed day" of a daycare does little good for our kids. They are structured to do this no,w then this, and then this. I've found my youngest to be able to do things on her own, have a high self awareness and is bright. I do little structured things with her. She paints, draws, plays and watches tv. Education TV only. She is very bright. I really think parents need to relax and let kids be kids. We don't need to structure their time from wake up till bed time in a manor that they don't have their own time to develop and explore on their time.
We have swimming, basketball, soccer and softball to keep them busy. But don't get too crazy. Go to parks, a store, a museum and from this they learn and ask questions. Don't over anaylize the day to think you have to this and that because the "book" says to do it.

 

[minkydog]

You've gotten a lot of great suggestions already, but I'll throw my $0.02 in too. I try and plan the week out in advance.

I cannot stress enough how important this can be. Some moms seem to just be natural "on the fly", but not me. Until i started planning my days I just always felt frantic.My kids are older now and theres less planning on my part, but i remember back then having a system--one major errand in the morning, and reading time, activity time, art & music time in the afternoon. Of course, i was flexible enough to allow my schedule to be changed as needed, but that was pretty much it, day in and day out. And it worked surprisingly well once I realized that I was trying to pack too many errands into the day and not enough playtime.

I really loved those toddler days--they were intense and passionate, but really fun(most of the time.) I'm in a different time warp now--teen years--where my kids don't necessarily like to go places with me. So enjoy it now! Best of luck to you.

Cathy--Mom to John,18(our Man in Black);Eleni, 12(the Queen-in-Training); and Christian,10 (Eats alot, Loves alot, Laughs hard)

 

[lclark0621]

I have an almost 2 year old DS. Here is our week:

Monday - Usually play at home day. We do a lot of swimming during the summer.

Tuesday - Usually a play date with one or two of his friends.

Wed - Gymboree

Thurs - Story hour at the library

Fri - Another playdate day

I have found a lot of crafts that DS loves to do & bought a whole bunch from Oriental Trading Company. We usually do one or more a week.

Coloring, Playdough, finger painting, sandbox & pool play are all hits.

A lot of times my DS prefers playing with his Little People & watching Playhouse Disney over anything else. On those days sometimes I feel like I am not doing enough. But then I remember he has his opinions of what he likes to do to...LOL!

 

[jeast]

SHADCT,

You are absolutely right. My kids, 5 and 2, have a semi-structured day. they always have quiet/nap time in the afternoon. I do the playdate thing, take them out for errands, play and read to them, let them watch some t.v., and give them a good bit of time to figure out by themselves.

Dealing with boredom and learning to self stimulate is an important skill. Let kids have some downtime. It's good for them. When my DS tells me he's bored, I tell him, "figure out something to do"...and he does. Often, he ends up creating a new game and teaching it to his little sister. they go crazy playing 'cannonball' off the bed onto a pile of pillows, wrestling, chasing each other around, playing trains, babies, whatever.

They always find a way to amuse themselves and I suspect it is more satisfying than what I could come up with! I second the notion, let kids be kids. Lying on the grass and deciding what the clouds look like is great!

 

[lmhall2000]

Oh...some great ideas here...gotta give my cents in as well...kudos to stay at home dad..my dh was a sahd for the first 4 years and what a GREAT job he did!!

First, I really commend you on staying at home...post college I was a nanny for a few years and saw the importance of having a parent at home...it is extremely undervalued in our society..but I think that is changing.

My children are now 10, 7 & 6 and we homeschool. When mine were under 4...well, we had 3 under four so you can imagine how we filled our time! Actually, we became frequent visitors at the library for story time...I found wonderful books to start reading to them at that age...my favorite authors for that age are Margaret Wise Brown, Cynthia Rylant, Diane Goode, Tomie dePaolo, Sid Hoff, oh there's just too many to name...but you'll start finding the good ones...one of my son's favorites was "Goodnight Moon"....make sure you look for the red balloon in each picture! We would keep collections of wood blocks around...built sooo many things with those! Nature walks...take some snacks and bottled water and just let them explore a beach or a rocky gravel pit...they can amuse themselves and LOVE being with nature. Check around your area for events with orchestras...several events were planned for preschoolers to introduce them to the sounds of the instruments..also fun puppet shows and the such through performing arts centers.

But, basically, letting them create creatures out of homemade flour dough, giving them a wooden spoon and pots while you start dinner, load them up with tons of good sturdy books, have fun with finger paints, playing with sand and a bucket...just let them be a kid and they'll be happy.

Tara

 

[Stephres]

This is off topic, but Imhal2000's post made me smile. My DH used to make fun of Goodnight Moon for being old fashioned, but it is one of my three year old's favorites! But she likes to find the mouse in each picture instead of the red balloon. She says, "Where's mouse? Oh, there he is!" and gives him a little pat on each page. What a wonderful book!

 

[Disney Hot Mama]

I belong to my local chapter of the MOMS Club (www. momsclub.org) and we do a lot of activities with them. Things like playgroups, park days, picnics, trips to local zoos and such. They also usually have a moms night out which is really fun!

The MOMS Club is a great way to meet other at-home-moms and kids. Email them at MOMSClub@aol.com and tell them where you live. I know there are several chapters in the general area where you live

My kids are now 7 & 9 and I had to stay busy to save my sanity. We did Gymboree, park and rec classes and lots of MOMS Club events. Saved me from going crazy. Some of my best friends I met 9 years ago in the MOMS Club!

 

[pinkdiamonds1007]

I'm a Stay AT Home Dad. I have two girls 3 and 7 and a third on the way. I have to give you my ideas. My oldest was in Daycare from three months till 5 when she entered Kindergarten. I've been home since my second was born. My oldest child needs to be constantly involved in something. She can do little on her own like just keeping herself amused.
My 3 plays on her own and is very socialable. I really think the "managed day" of a daycare does little good for our kids. They are structured to do this no,w then this, and then this. I've found my youngest to be able to do things on her own, have a high self awareness and is bright. I do little structured things with her. She paints, draws, plays and watches tv. Education TV only. She is very bright. I really think parents need to relax and let kids be kids. We don't need to structure their time from wake up till bed time in a manor that they don't have their own time to develop and explore on their time.
We have swimming, basketball, soccer and softball to keep them busy. But don't get too crazy. Go to parks, a store, a museum and from this they learn and ask questions. Don't over anaylize the day to think you have to this and that because the "book" says to do it.

very true..and sorry, i didn't acknoledge you stay at home dad's in my op..its great to see some of you out there. Before i got some idea's for t his post, we had been free going it all day...but as my little princess gets older, she is needing more and more direction and more challenging activities..so i guess thats what i was looking for in the post and the book i bought. All the ideas everyone has posted are great..i have found that with a little more pre planning..esp..as far as crafts, trips..ect. go I am able to feel less "lost" and more prepared for what is going on that day. We have even started a little school hour everyday..which she looks forward too. We do Science, Math, News, or History..its a simple version of something that she will learn in more detail someday, but its introducing her to new ideas. She is really smart and has all her letters down, all the sounds letters make and how to spell simple words, she has known this since she was 2 1/2. So i guess I fear sometimes I am boring her here and she could find greater stimulation outside like at preschool. Maybe its time to take that step. Hard one to take though, we have been attached at the hip since she was born..I think this step is going to be harder for me though than her..as I have the feeling she would be more than willing!

Anyway..Thank you for all your posts and ideas..i appreciate it.

Nicole

 

[rt2dz]

I am sure this isn't what anyone really meant, but just for clarity sakes, in case someone just lurking has this impression...

When I say we "plan" our days out a week in advance, we're hardly scheduling every moment. But a playdate requires meeting several people's schedule's and that can't be left to the last moment. Playing alone is great, and my kids do it quite a bit (or with each other), but time needs to be spent with other kids the same age also.

And our plans rarely take a full day, scheduling every moment. To say hey, we'll go to the zoo on Tuesday, doesn't mean will see animal x at such and such and then do this. The zoo, which only takes us a full morning, can be a very free day--jumping around from exhibit to exhibit and stopping to talk to employees & volunteers. Talk about educational--and much better than watching Animal Planet or Discovery Kids on TV (which my oldest also does).

Heck, the preschool (best thing I ever did for my son) even has built in free play during the day. If it didn't, I would choose a different school, that is very important to a child's development.

 

[alloyd1170]

I have to get my active 3.5 yr old son out of the house or we both go crazy! If Im cleaning in one room, hes trashing another! Some things we do: go to the YMCA to swim 2-3 x a week, head to the playground, visit our zoo and childrens museum (I got a membership for both), go to the movies (during the summer, one of our theaters shows 2nd run kid movies each week (Polar Express, Shrek, etc -$1 to get in, $1 popcorn, $1 drink adults are free), go shopping/run errands, play in our yard (have a swingset, little pool), take out our kayak (we live on a lake), etc.

He will thankfully be starting preschool at the end of the summer for 3 hrs/3 days a week, still giving us some together time to do things. It will also give me a break and some one on one time with our new little girl due in 2.5 weeks! Our son has been a big help in preparing her room, shopping for her, and so forth.

alison

 

[pooh4evr]

I have 2 girls ages 2 and 4, my older daughter was in daycare at a very very good place until I started staying home after daughter #2. She goes to preschool 3 days a week and absolutely loves it! (our school disrtict goes year round)! I think it is very good to have them in something to be with other kids - no just with me all day. We also go to the library a lot, they go to gymnastics class and we play at the park- my husband is a new Dr and works long hours on average 6 days a week. My biggest problem is playing with my girls and keeping the house looking decent! (mY mom stayed home with 5 kids and was a neat freak so I always feel like things are a mess!) How do you get it all done?

 

[jeast]

My house is a sty. But my kids are happy.

some people can do both, they have skills far beyond mine. I worship at their feet. I also don't care much if my house is neat. That might have something to do with it