Following a thread on a Yahoo group, I decided to respond here for the benefit of others who are in the same predicament. For those of you who once had toddlers or have already got a grip on handling the squirmy ones during school, I hope you would leave a comment on any advice or words of encouragement you may have. If you have posted about the topic, leave the link here, too. Many of us had been in that state before, and yes, it looked grim, didn’t it? So please, share your stories, if you can!
What I’m writing here is an addendum to a post I wrote three weeks ago titled “Keeping Li’l Ones Occupied And Learning,” so if you haven’t read that, please do now. (Don’t be shy! I’ll be here when you get back:)
Notice that I did not include crafts or other activities that would require much supervision, since I am looking for quality one-on-one with the school-aged child. That means no glue, scissors, paint, etc, and for obvious reasons. The novelty of engaging in particular toys tools or activities ONLY ONCE a week has really worked wonders for us. I always bring out 2 sets in two different spots in the house. Some days, I would spread blankets on the floor as their “designated areas” of play. Most of the times, the little ones would rather pull books from the shelves and make forts or towers, or just make general mess throughout the house, but the “Tools of the Day” have really given me and my oldest some good one-on-one time on a daily basis.
When we only had two kids, it was a little tougher with a strong-willed toddler, but that was the time we slowed down a bit. My older daughter also learned to work more on her own. Except for Bible, we did read-alouds and other assigned work during nap time, or in the bathroom while the little one played in the tub. It was, and still is, critical for me to spend one-on-one time with the little ones before school, and that we pray and praise together in the morning. I think all that help with everybody’s attitude in the midst of chaos.
This is just a season in a mother’s life- a challenging one that would better equip us as we encourage the younger moms. This would also be the perfect time to just slow down, even with academics, and just let God work through. Most likely, the children would not treasure much of the assigned work, but would forever be impacted by the mom who seems to always stand wisely in the midst of turmoil in the day. In the end, it would be about the relationships, and the building of unity and cooperation in the home. Our four-year-old has certainly taught us a lot of that. And yes, we are still learning.
This is so helpful! Thank you!
Flo – what do you mean by “Tools of the Day”. I don’t have much space so basically they play in the boy’s bedroom which I put a toddler’s gate to keep them in there with the assigned toys of the day while I work with my 10yo or if I have some chores to do around the house. I feel safer if they are inside that gate, less screaming & frustrations for me. And the “Kuya” can concentrate a little bit better than when they (3 toddlers including the “apos”) are running around all over the place.
Melanie- “tools” are just the assigned activities for the day.
Aliyah was working with clay last week, and I got brave and got the little ones their own kiddie clay, too. Bad idea.
You mean, you could contain THREE boys inside the gate? Tough mama. Lyrica would heartily climb over it. Thanks for sharing.