Make your life easier
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...practical ideas for parenting under fives.
Keep Toys under control
You’ll probably have surplus toys after Christmas or birthdays.
- Give away anything that your child shows no interest in.
- Store the rest in boxes or baskets with lids, and limit how many you keep in your living room.
- Put remaining boxes in a coat cupboard or garage or attic. When your little one has utterly exhausted all the possibilities for the accessible toys, make their day by bringing out one of the stashed-away baskets. They’ll play with the toys like new, and appreciate them.
Guard the routine religiously
Unless you have a particularly laid back pre-schooler:
- Stick to your child’s routine as far as possible. They’ll be far happier and more manageable if meals, naps and bedtime are on time.
- Even if grandma tries to persuade you to keep little Lucy up later, smile nicely and don’t oblige! You are in charge! It’s unbelievable how your child can turn from amenable into manic monster in less than 3 minutes. It just isn’t worth it.
- If you’re delayed and can’t do this, then cheat occasionally by offering some sort of healthy hors d’oeuvre to keep them going – e.g carrot sticks (older kids) or mini rice cakes. If bedtime is delayed, plan for a longer naptime the following day.
Engage your child in conversation and tasks
Actively involve your child in everyday tasks and talk with them about it. Your child may be unable to respond, but they are watching and listening, and understanding more each day.
- Try involving your young child in things like pumping up bike tyres or sorting laundry.
- Limit your use of “no”, and use some other phrases instead. E.g: “that’s dangerous”, “that will hurt you” and “I don’t want that broken”. “No” becomes rather boring after a while.
- In the meantime, find more things that they can touch in the kitchen or garage or garden.
Let the fun begin…
Purposefully engage in something fun or silly everyday with your child. Forget about all the grime, mess and foiled toilet training episodes, and have some down-to-earth fun with your child.
- Try piggyback rides, balloon fights or hide and seek.
- You’ll both benefit from the serotonin surge, which can help banish the blues that come upon young parents now and again. So, let yourself go and have a blast!
Great Expectations
Regardless of what you’ve read in books and magazines, and what you’ve observed from being around children of your friends and family, it will be different for you.
- Each child comes genetically pre-programmed with its own set of quirks, characteristics and abilities; they won’t simply conform into all your ideals without some major struggle.
- Cut yourself (and your child) some slack, and allow them to develop at their own pace, remembering to enjoy your child as well as guide them along the way.
Finally: Always take food and drink with you!
Written by Annie Carter. Posted on 20th May.
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