So you have a toddler now! Exciting. They are so cute as they are learning to take their first steps. So uncertain but confident. Then you realize that stairs, couches, the dog (pretty much anything) are all fair game to climb as long as they can get to it. SUPER FUN! Okay, enough with the sarcasm. Having a child that walks is a huge blessing! But it also means you can no longer do things the way you could before. So what do you do?
In the past 8.5 years, I have dealt with a toddler alone, a toddler while pregnant, 2 toddlers together, a toddler and a preschooler, and currently a toddler and 2 school agers. All 3 of our kids learned to walk between 9 and 10 months, and they haven’t stopped since. It is exhausting and challenging because they no longer stay where you want them to stay. And now they have will power which makes the word “no” a fun little chant through out the day that is meaningless in most respects. So what do you do with them? Do they ever stop moving? No, not in my experience. Unless they are ridiculously sick and even that is 50/50. Trust me, them not moving is the worst when they are sick. That is how you know they really sick and it isn’t a relief. Will it end? I am sure they will at some point. Monkey is going on 9 and he seems to slow down enough to read or paint so once they get into activities and not just free play, you have a fighting chance. Maybe. I think.
Okay, so back to these littlest ankle biters bebes. What are some things you can do to keep them busy?
- Read! Short book, board book, picture books, cereal boxes, signs on the road, newspapers. It really doesn’t matter what you read, just read to them! I am a firm believer in reading and I honestly believe that reading to your children is the SINGLE most important thing you can do for and with them.
- Art. Sit and color with them. Show them how the crayons make marks or how the markers work. Let them finger paint in their diaper. Let them play with chalk. Is it going to be the next Picasso, probably not at 10 months, but instill the love of creativity and art early.
- Music. Tap on the floor, turn on a play list or the radio, bang on pans or boxes, make maracas from paper plates and beans and shake them. Dance! Trust me when I say music changes the day. Best part about it is that they don’t care if you can’t dance or sing. They just want to have fun and boogie!
- Sensory boxes. These do not have to be intricate or themed or expensive. They just need to introduce them to feelings, scents, sights, and sounds they can explore. I use food storage boxed from the dollar store. Currently Mermaid is 14 months old. I have 4 boxes for her that she grabs and plays with. Pom-poms with a spoon and bowls, clothes pins and a pouch, magnetic letters with a cookie sheet, miniature dogs (sometimes I add water or something fun for her to do with them).
- Blocks. Do not underestimate the destructive nature of children. Build a tower and they will destroy it. Over and over again for a while! It is simple and basic and they love it. Once they learn how to stack them on their own it is a game changer.
- Go for a walk. Let them work on this new skill they have acquired. They are bursting to practice. Let them practice. It doesn’t have to be far (especially if they are new to walking) because you will probably end up carrying them further than they walk. But getting outside and burning off energy is perfect outlet. Be prepared for a couple scraped knees or at least tumbles.
- Cleaning. As much as children love to destroy things, I am convinced they also love to clean. Make a big deal when they put something somewhere and pretty soon they will put things where ever you tell them to just to get the praise! (“YAY! You put the block in the bucket! *Clap clap*) Give them a washcloth with water on it and show them how to wipe cabinets off. Will they actually be clean? Probably not, but it will show them it is fun to help and when they are a little older you can use a safe cleaner (I have recommendations if you are interested) and let them actually do the job.
- Screen time. Yeah, I said it. No shame, there are just some times and days where you need a break. If you child will sit and watch an episode of something, do it. I don’t recommend sitting your 15 month old in front of the TV and going and taking a bath for an hour because that isn’t safe. However, for you to turn on the TV, put them in the play yard or other safe area, and relax within sight and sound, that is acceptable.
- Safe space playing. This could be a pack-n-play, play yard, crib, or a gated and baby-proofed room. It keeps them contained while you get stuff done without them under your feet. I have our pack-n-play set up in my office with toys in it. I put Mermaid in there and she keeps herself relatively entertained while I work so I don’t only have nap time and bedtime. I also have a play yard that I can take outside and keep her contained while I work in the yard, especially now that it is getting nice out.
This is not an exhaustive list by any means. There are so many things you can do with your little ones. Make sure you are talking with them while you do it. It helps build language skills and encourages early communication. Learning and teaching them a couple key signs is another way to help ease frustration for children at the age where they can’t verbally tell you what they want.
What are some of your favorite things to do with your little ones? Leave a comment below to let me know!
P.S. You guys. I am going to be real with you. This post was started 2 days ago and I wanted to finish it earlier but that just didn’t happen. Because no matter how many good ideas I have, or seamless it seems as I go about my Homeschooling, Business running, Mom-ing, Wife-ing, Stay-at-home life, some days just don’t go as planned. Mermaid was just not having it. She only wanted to play with someone, be held, cuddle, or fuss. So that left nap time to finish up school with Monkey and get orders out. Keep reading to find productive ways to entertain your toddler. But realize that some days, you just need to slow down, let the cleaning and structure and activities go, and get down on the floor and cuddle and breath in those moments. I just wanted to say that because if these don’t work one day or you are wondering why your child is the only one who can’t be entertained, it isn’t you, it isn’t them, it is just the day. Breathe and try again tomorrow.
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