- Parks (bring frisbees, balls, bubbles, bikes, kites, a friend's dog if you don't have one, anything that keeps them moving!)
- Playgrounds (an obvious choice, but remember to mix it up, don't always go to the same place...kids get bored of the same equipment)
- Kids concerts (many townships have local shows at parks or recreations centers for free!)
- Indoor sports centers (ice skating, roller skating, indoor soccer centers, skate boarding, gymnastics places...many have "open or free play" days)
- Bounce Around places (inflatables...jumping, no BRAINER)
- Nature centers (take a hike, bird watch, do a scavenger hunt, throw rocks on the lake, go fishing, take photos)
- Indoor pool at the local school or YMCA (swimming burns off a ton of excess energy)
- Sporting events (hockey and soccer are great very fast moving games...baseball not so much)
- Horseback riding (high energy kids will use a lot of concentration to ride a horse and many love animals... it is a novelty activity as well)
- Races (car racing, horse racing, even 5K running activities...many have a 1 mile run run for the kids)
- Local animal shelters - do they need a kid to give the animals some extra love, or maybe some walks around the building, ask about volunteering with your child every other week
Showing posts with label tips for daily living. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tips for daily living. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Where to take those high energy kids
All right, now that I've mentioned a list of places that are not so cool for taking your energetic child, here... my friends is a list of places I'd definitely recommend taking them.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Places to go & Expectations
In addition to evaluating the enormous expectations you probably have of yourself to be a super parent to your super energetic child, evaluate your expectations of your child as well.
Don’t set your child up for the impossible, particularly in social situations. Many of us have experienced embarrassment and humiliation upon taking their child to an venue or event that is just not suitable for our high energy children... which in turn, often lends to penalizing the child and leading then to parental heartache and guilt over the whole circumstance. So, from my own humiliating and embarrassing experiences, here’s my take on places that are NO GO:
Restaurants – particularly those not specifically geared to kids! This is a big fat NO for children with excess energy. Sometimes we think, “oh maybe this time it will be different.” That mentality is just not fair to do to your child. That expectation that our child will sit still in a restaurant is completely unreasonable. I am not just referring to fancy restaurants with nice linens and candlelight…it could be any restaurant aside from one that is located in a Chuck E Cheese or one is totally geared to kids. Even going to a TGIF can be a nightmare if your child has excess energy.
Religious Services – Not recommended! For the most part, most places have a religious education program or daycare available. Take advantage of this. Asking a high-energy child to sit without squirming and making noise during a religious service is just not gonna happen. If there is a special family occasion where services are required, consider sitting in the back, on the end of a row and consider bringing etch a sketch or a draw and erase board, crayons, etc. to keep your child busy. Give them a short spiel before it starts, but don't go over lecturing... it will waste your time. Also, try to plan ahead that you will take you child out for a break so they can talk or move if the service is longer than 15 minutes.
Theatre/Shows – For the most part, no. The last thing you want to do is pay a lot of money for anything from Broadway show to a movie and walk out after 10 minutes because you child is jumping in the seat or lingering down the aisles. If the show is very animated, loud and completely kid appropriate, this may be an exception.
What happens when a family member is having a special dinner out? Again, don’t set you or your child up for failure. If your family insists your child be there and you know Joey will not sit for a 2-hour dinner at an Italian bistro for Uncle Carl’s birthday, speak up… suggest a kid-friendly alternative or possibly celebrating at someone’s house instead. If this is not an option, consider getting a babysitter for Joey and explain to the family that as much as he’d like to be there, you felt it was prudent to have him stay home.
This all doesn’t mean you will be banned from these types of activities FOREVER or that your child will be either. Just like when a child is sick and you have to re-introduce foods slowly…re-introduce activities as you feel you child is beginning to attain more self-control. Start out slow. See if they can keep their energy level at bay to suit the venue or occasion. Take each even as a step-by-step process. Have a back up plan and go in to it with the idea that you may only try to stay at the even for an hour or that you will have to take breaks or turns with your spouse letting the child go to another room or work on a different activity throughout the event.
Don’t set your child up for the impossible, particularly in social situations. Many of us have experienced embarrassment and humiliation upon taking their child to an venue or event that is just not suitable for our high energy children... which in turn, often lends to penalizing the child and leading then to parental heartache and guilt over the whole circumstance. So, from my own humiliating and embarrassing experiences, here’s my take on places that are NO GO:
Restaurants – particularly those not specifically geared to kids! This is a big fat NO for children with excess energy. Sometimes we think, “oh maybe this time it will be different.” That mentality is just not fair to do to your child. That expectation that our child will sit still in a restaurant is completely unreasonable. I am not just referring to fancy restaurants with nice linens and candlelight…it could be any restaurant aside from one that is located in a Chuck E Cheese or one is totally geared to kids. Even going to a TGIF can be a nightmare if your child has excess energy.
Religious Services – Not recommended! For the most part, most places have a religious education program or daycare available. Take advantage of this. Asking a high-energy child to sit without squirming and making noise during a religious service is just not gonna happen. If there is a special family occasion where services are required, consider sitting in the back, on the end of a row and consider bringing etch a sketch or a draw and erase board, crayons, etc. to keep your child busy. Give them a short spiel before it starts, but don't go over lecturing... it will waste your time. Also, try to plan ahead that you will take you child out for a break so they can talk or move if the service is longer than 15 minutes.
Theatre/Shows – For the most part, no. The last thing you want to do is pay a lot of money for anything from Broadway show to a movie and walk out after 10 minutes because you child is jumping in the seat or lingering down the aisles. If the show is very animated, loud and completely kid appropriate, this may be an exception.
What happens when a family member is having a special dinner out? Again, don’t set you or your child up for failure. If your family insists your child be there and you know Joey will not sit for a 2-hour dinner at an Italian bistro for Uncle Carl’s birthday, speak up… suggest a kid-friendly alternative or possibly celebrating at someone’s house instead. If this is not an option, consider getting a babysitter for Joey and explain to the family that as much as he’d like to be there, you felt it was prudent to have him stay home.
This all doesn’t mean you will be banned from these types of activities FOREVER or that your child will be either. Just like when a child is sick and you have to re-introduce foods slowly…re-introduce activities as you feel you child is beginning to attain more self-control. Start out slow. See if they can keep their energy level at bay to suit the venue or occasion. Take each even as a step-by-step process. Have a back up plan and go in to it with the idea that you may only try to stay at the even for an hour or that you will have to take breaks or turns with your spouse letting the child go to another room or work on a different activity throughout the event.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Cleaning with crazy kids...yes, you can!
People always tell me how amazed they are at how clean my house is...and yes, I have 3 kids...and yes, I clean it myself, meaning there is no magic fairy or Genie stopping by to wave her wand or wiggle her nose to help. It is just me, little old me.
Well, I have to admit, now that the kids are getting older, I do expect them to start helping out. I have learned to become very creative when it comes to setting up chores for them. When they were younger though, it was more about keeping them occupied while I clean. Goodness knows, having a 2 year old scrub something is not only completely unsafe, but likely a waste of time in having to redo it anyway.
Still, I have learned that kids can help out...even if it means handing them a spray bottle with plain water and a clean cloth. It's as basic as that. While a 2 year old needs occupying so that the parent can get something done, a 4 and 7 year old; however, can really help out. Here are some tips and tricks to how I get the job done.
1. Have multiple locations for your supplies. No kidding, while I am in the upstairs bathroom while they are bathing...I can at least clean and wash down the sinks, toilets and dust shelves. They are happily splashing in the tub while I am charging down the bacteria in the other areas. So at all times I leave a bottle of Windex, paper towels, clean rags and a basic bleach cleaner on the top shelf in the linen closet. It's just always there as a double set of supplies. Easy access, easy to put away.
2. If I do need to have a kid helping me in the bathroom...they get tub or shower duty. I let them take all the shampoo bottles and soaps out (which actually I always leave in a plastic basket with a handle anyway so it is easy to remove). I never ask them to move razors though. I give them a spray bottle with a little liquid soap (like hand soap) and a clean rag and they get started washing down basins. It at least keeps them busy while do the heavy duty stuff. Again, be cautious of the chemicals you use if your kids are in there, open windows if necessary.
3. Cleaning other rooms is pretty basic. Laundry baskets are king in my house. I have 3 extra laundry baskets...those simple plastic round ones. Plop these babies down in the middle of a crazy messed up room and let the kids help sort. One basket is for things that go back upstairs, one for things that get put away in other places and then one for the rest.
Once you get the sorting done, blast the music...tell the kids to start dancing and grab your duster and vacuum. Did you know you could dust while dancing? Yes, I have learned to dance my way around my family room dusting as fast as possible. The kids think I am dancing with them. It's fun...good workout too.
Next, I tell the kids it is time to play freeze vacuum. They are to dance around, but have to freeze as soon as the sounds of the vacuum stops. I change up the tempo of my stopping and starting so that they get confused. It is definitely one way to keep the kids focused and not running all over while you are vacuuming. Of course it takes longer, but so what, you are keeping them busy so they are not making another mess in the room you already cleaned. It is much easier to keep an eye on them when you can make it fun.
Well, I have to admit, now that the kids are getting older, I do expect them to start helping out. I have learned to become very creative when it comes to setting up chores for them. When they were younger though, it was more about keeping them occupied while I clean. Goodness knows, having a 2 year old scrub something is not only completely unsafe, but likely a waste of time in having to redo it anyway.
Still, I have learned that kids can help out...even if it means handing them a spray bottle with plain water and a clean cloth. It's as basic as that. While a 2 year old needs occupying so that the parent can get something done, a 4 and 7 year old; however, can really help out. Here are some tips and tricks to how I get the job done.
1. Have multiple locations for your supplies. No kidding, while I am in the upstairs bathroom while they are bathing...I can at least clean and wash down the sinks, toilets and dust shelves. They are happily splashing in the tub while I am charging down the bacteria in the other areas. So at all times I leave a bottle of Windex, paper towels, clean rags and a basic bleach cleaner on the top shelf in the linen closet. It's just always there as a double set of supplies. Easy access, easy to put away.
2. If I do need to have a kid helping me in the bathroom...they get tub or shower duty. I let them take all the shampoo bottles and soaps out (which actually I always leave in a plastic basket with a handle anyway so it is easy to remove). I never ask them to move razors though. I give them a spray bottle with a little liquid soap (like hand soap) and a clean rag and they get started washing down basins. It at least keeps them busy while do the heavy duty stuff. Again, be cautious of the chemicals you use if your kids are in there, open windows if necessary.
3. Cleaning other rooms is pretty basic. Laundry baskets are king in my house. I have 3 extra laundry baskets...those simple plastic round ones. Plop these babies down in the middle of a crazy messed up room and let the kids help sort. One basket is for things that go back upstairs, one for things that get put away in other places and then one for the rest.
Once you get the sorting done, blast the music...tell the kids to start dancing and grab your duster and vacuum. Did you know you could dust while dancing? Yes, I have learned to dance my way around my family room dusting as fast as possible. The kids think I am dancing with them. It's fun...good workout too.
Next, I tell the kids it is time to play freeze vacuum. They are to dance around, but have to freeze as soon as the sounds of the vacuum stops. I change up the tempo of my stopping and starting so that they get confused. It is definitely one way to keep the kids focused and not running all over while you are vacuuming. Of course it takes longer, but so what, you are keeping them busy so they are not making another mess in the room you already cleaned. It is much easier to keep an eye on them when you can make it fun.
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