Being an at home mom is a challenge on its own, but once your child hits the toddler years and are not old enough for school it gets tougher and tougher to keep them entertained. One of the best things I have learned to do was come up with a daily schedule that has helped to keep me and my child on track through out the day. It has also helped me to teach my child things to help him get ready for preschool. Here is a little sample of what our daily routine is like.
8:00-8:30- Wake up and have breakfast
I try to include my little one in making breakfast. If I’m making scrambled eggs I will let him beat them, If I’m making toast Ill let him attempt to spread the jelly. I think this gives him a sense of responsibility and makes him feel needed. It also keeps him occupied instead of watching TV.
8:30-9:30-Outside play (summer) or inside play (winter)
I like to let my child play outside very early in the morning during the summer time when it is cooler. It gives him the daily exercise he needs before it gets too hot. I have tons of outdoor toys that i was about to pick up at local yard sales for a fraction of the retail price. During the winter we might have outside play a little later in the day, so during this time we play inside with toys around the house.
9:30-10:00 Singing time
My child loves learning new songs especially songs where there are hand gestures involved. There are plenty of songs your child can learn (the itsy bitsy spider, I’m a little teapot, head, shoulders, knees and toes etc.) that will keep them entertain. I try a new song every week of so, so that my child can get the hang of the words and motions.
10-10:15 Snack time
I try to keep all my snacks as healthy as possible, which is not always easy. I try vanilla wafer cookies and grapes or a fruit salad of my child’s favorite fruits. Another way to get your child to eat healthy snacks is to make them fun. Try apple smiley faces (use 2 slices of apple for lips and spread peanut butter on the inside and put marshmallows in between the two apple slices) or ants on a log ( a piece of celery with peanut butter spread inside and raisins as ants).
10:15-11:30 Arts and Crafts
My child loves anything that is hands on. You can find plenty of things to make on line just by using things that are laying around your house. Try toilet paper roll binoculars (let your child color or paint on 2 toilet paper rolls then staple or hot glue them together and you have binoculars), once they are made you can go outside and show your child how they work. Arts and crafts don’t always have to be big projects either my son loves to paint or color pictures for people.
11:30-12:00 Free play while you prepare lunch
Its a bit harder to let my little one help me with lunch so I usually let him play alone or watch one of his favorite cartoons (educational TV, of course!). Eating the same thing for lunch day after day can get boring so try to switch things up. Luckily, my son isn’t picky and eats mostly anything I cook. A turkey tortilla roll up is something different and healthy (made just like a turkey sandwich but inside a whole wheat tortilla instead), or make your own version of a lunch able ( cheese, crackers and salami). All these are things my child loves and gives us a variety every once in a while.
12:00-12:30 Lunch time
Eat!!
12:30-1:00 Relax time/story time
I like to take the time after lunch to relax by watching a bit of educational TV. I have DVR’ed some of my child’s favorite cartoons and they are available for us anytime. We mostly watch Noggin, Sprout and PBS kids. If we aren’t watching a cartoon I like to read books. We have a huge variety and I let my son pick which one he wants to read. This helps get him in the mode for nap time.
1:00-2:30/3:00 Nap time or movie time
Depending on the child they may or may not still take naps. Lucky for me my child takes naps. He usually sleeps anywhere from an hour and a half to two hours. If your child doesn’t nap try putting a movie on for him/her. This will give you some of your own time to clean up around the house or relax yourself.
3:00-3:30 Snack time
When a child wakes up from a nap they are usually ready for a snack and dinner is still a couple of hours away. I like to make my own trail mix (peanuts, raisins, pretzels, cheerios and anything else healthy your child will eat) and give my child a bowl to snack on.
3:30-4:00 Dads home!!
By staying on a consistent schedule it helps me and my child to not drive each other crazy. It also prevents us from becoming bored through out the day. Hopefully this helps a few of you stay on track a little more with your little one.
