You know they’re busy, right? In case you’ve forgotten let me tell you a bit about my Samuel and Elijah. They don’t sit still. Well, hardly ever — they’re known to sit still if you put a plate of gluten free chocolate chip cookies in front of them. They’ll stay at the table all day for those morsels — but other than that they are movers and getting into stuffers.
But what about during the day? Especially when I’m homeschooling? How in the world and what in the world do I do with those two very active and very curious toddlers that roam my home? Here are some of my tips:
my toddler tips
Start the day with them. Read with them when you wake up. Make sure that they know that they are important and that you value spending time with them. Now, if you’re like me and need at least 30 minutes of quiet time before the day goes crazy, you’ll need to get up before them. {If you are reading this and have a newborn please ignore all of what I just wrote — for you? You need to sleep. Alot. So do not get up before those toddlers, but rather put a stack of books besides your bed to read with the toddlers when they wake up while you all stay in bed so that you can rest.} For the rest of us? We just need to get up early. Get some coffee. And start your day with a smile.
Get your house ready the night before. Remember flylady? (I think she’s still around — click here) The one thing that really stuck with me from her was the importance of shining your sink at night. I truly try to get my house in order when I go to bed. That way, when I get up, I can have quiet time, and prayer time, and then some email/blogging/twitter time. If I woke to a mess every morning than I wouldn’t be able to justify sitting around in the early morning hours. So shine that sink. Lay out clothes for your little ones. And all that will prep you for those minutes when the toddlers wake full of energy. And always have your coffee. Or tea.
Rotate toys during school hours/days of the week. We’ve got different boxes of toys that I pull out during the day. When Hannah was young I used to be quite religious and have this little rotating schedule. Now, I’ve got a lock for my laundry room/storage room door and the power to go in there and grab a box of toys that they normally can’t play with. It’s amazing how content those little ones are when you bring them something new to do.
Involve them in whatever you’re doing. When I make lunch many times Elijah is my helper. He’ll get out the bread — and he always knows to go to the freezer to grab Samuel’s gluten free bread — and get me plates and help clear the table. I need them to be busy, and the best way is to involve them in your daily life. If we’re doing a project at the table I’ll try to make it so that they can do something artsy as well.
Go outside. Often. And let them run and explore. It’s amazing how 10-15 minutes of fresh air burns off some of the energy that they have. We’ll go for walks and look for things from nature. Elijah helps me put birdfood in the feeder and checks my garden to see if things are ready. Samuel just loves to run. Fresh air is so important.
Keep that nap and quiet time. Guard it carefully. Samuel still naps, but during the school year I institute a quiet/reading time right after lunch. I need it. I need the house quiet and little ones involved in something low-key. Many times this involves me reading to Elijah (and Caleb and Brennan and pretty soon almost everyone) but other times I will have my toddler rest and read. I’ll set the timer and when they’re done offer a snack.
Buddy system. If you’ve got older kids we rotate through the day who gets to play with the littler ones. This works awesome and builds in this level of friendship that is so blessed. Many times my older ones will “teach” the little ones — they’ll do crafts, and nature walks, and cook. During that time I’ll work with the others.
And laugh. They’ll get into stuff. It will get messy. Your house won’t look like it should be on the cover of Better Home and Gardens. But those toddlers will grow. There will come a day when the markers are put away, and the walls are clean, and there are no matchbox cars underfoot, and the swings don’t get swung, and you don’t have someone begging for cookies in the afternoon, and nap time shifts to you. So as hard as it is in the busy moments of life take a moment to breathe and remember how someday you’ll look back at these days of toddlerhood with fond remembrance.
Now, I’m off to start my day. There’s a toddler waking up.
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Please share your favorite what to do with the toddler tips.
14 comments
In the midst of it all I have to stop sometimes and remind myself that not only will those little kids not always be little but that none of us knows what tomorrow holds for our lives and I need to be ever so thankful for today and the blessings that day brought and even if it had to do with lots of tiny, sticky, finger prints.
Great post-finding the balance this year with my 13 and 3 year old both home and trying to school both while running my boys to school-kind of crazy, but God is good all the time.
Hugs
Jill
Those are excellent tips. I totally agree about getting everything ready the night before. Last night I had dishes to wash and I was tired, but I cleaned the kitchen and it felt SO nice not to have to worry about it today. I love the idea of a buddy system…your older ones are such a help to you. Sounds like you are going to have a great year!
I think we run our houses very similarly, Rachel!!!
“Alone time” has been a life saver at our house. From the time my kids are infants, they’re accustomed to being in their crib for 10-15 minutes – bright music, lots of toys. Learning to be content on your own for even just a few minutes is invaluable. Too many kids expect to be constantly entertained.
By the time they’re older, they look forward to that time alone (especially in a big family).
Obviously with homeschooling, those alone times are like gold. Not only does it give them the chance to happily play on their own (around age 2.5 I switch them to playing in their bedroom and not a crib/playpen), but it also gives us some undistracted, focused time to get a ton of schoolwork done. My 2yo and 4yo have about 30 min of alone time a day – obviously they’re checked on regularly, but it is such a help.
Yes, I think the reading time is important too and I always do that in the morning with them when the olders are starting schoolwork.
Great reminders, Rachel – and you always have such a beautiful way of putting it!!
Great tips… Sometimes it’s 10 am and I’m thinking, “what in the world am I going to do with them all day?!” I lack structure to our days… I mean we have a set schedule for eating and naps, but the rest is flex time. And now I’m potty training Hunter. And that took probably three hours up of our time yesterday. – he enjoys just sitting and trying for a lonnnnnnng time. At least he’s willing! : ) we also do a lot of fort making. I’m savoring these simple times in their lives! We love reading here too!!! I like your buddy system. Is it wrong to want a lot of kids just to implement the buddy system, I’m wondering? ; ) have a great day sweet mama!
I loved this post Rachel. Thank you so much for the reminder to embrace these fleeting years. Right now, I am with a two year-old and a 7 month-old. It’s trying at times…but rewarding. All at the same time. I really agree with you on getting the house ready the night before. I’ve even taken to make a week’s worth of breakfasts (muffins, mini-quiches, oatmeal, etc) just to ease the day even more. It has really helped!
Now for trying to get up earlier…
Wonderful tips! I try very hard to have our home clean and shiny before I head to bed – so that I can get up and have some alone time before my crew is up and ready to go. It really makes a difference in my day!
Great tips! Once the twins are toddlers, this will all be easier (easier hehe) to implement…until then…:)
thank you so much for this post! We started homeschooling my daughter for the first time this year. My other two children are ages 4 and 3, and I am pregnant with a little gal due in December. I need all the help I can get with my littles while I try to homeschool the oldest. They are busy little boys and can get into a LOT of stuff. 🙂 I am definitely going to implement a lot of these suggestions.
I love your list of tips!! And you had me almost in tears reading “There will come a day when the markers are put away, and the walls are clean, and there are no matchbox cars underfoot…” Thank-you!
Jessica
What great, refreshing tips! Thanks.
i enjoyed this post very much! with only one (very busy) 15-month old but another baby on the way, i am trying to soak up as much mama wisdom as i can in how to take care of a growing family! it is comforting to read your post and others’ comments and hear that there can be peace in the midst of a seemingly khaotic environment!
Those are really great tips! I have to say what helped me the most when mine were toddlers were to keep everything pretty structured. Making sure we kept to a schedule made a huge difference in the way our day went.
Oh I love this so much! I needed this today… My sink is definitely not polished, and my mornings have not been starting out quietly. Trying new things tomorrow! Thank you!!
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Romans 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
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