Random parenting tips that I’ve gleaned or appreciated over the last month.
1. 5 minute pick up is one of my favorite housekeeping tools. The living room suffers greatly when we by-pass this rule. Most nights, after dinner and dishes are done we set the timer and my husband, myself and our 2 year old all race the clock to get as much tidied up as we can.
2. Bath time is the perfect time for reading. Put both kids in the tub and sit on the toilet and read as they splash away. No other time do they stay in place for that long unless asleep. Since I won’t leave them in the bath alone, I might as well read.
3. Libraries are a good form of entertainment, especially the ones with toys in the children’s area. My little girl never wants to leave. At least I can bribe her away with promises of new books to read and movies to watch at home.
4. 2 1/2 is a fun age for reading. My daughter still loves pop-up books with bold pictures but she’ll also sit through children’s books such as Frog and Toad with lots of words.
5. My daughter loves to help in the kitchen. She has to be the one to scoop the muffin batter into the tins. It takes her a ridiculously long time, but I decide that it’s just fine because it gives me time to get all the dishes done and the counters wiped down before she’s done.
6. Babies feel left out. Sometimes my little guy is fussy and whiny, but when you bring him to be a part of the action and let him look at people’s faces he turns into a smiley and talkative baby.
7. Sleep and Plays are amazing. Why? Not having to worry about socks disappearing off of kicking feet.
8. Children are parrots. They pick up on everything you say and do. I have a habit of doing an exasperated sigh when I’m frustrated, irritated, or whatever. The 2 1/2 year old has started doing the same thing. Wow. Talk about a great reminder to watch what I say and how I respond.
Linking up to Teaching Tuesdays, Mommy Brain Mixer, From House to Home, Fellowship Fridays, Essential Fridays, Babies and Beyond, Teach Me Tuesday, Titus 2 Tuesday, Tending the Home Tuesdays, Welcome Home Wednesday, Thriving Thursday, Mama Moments
Oh goodness. I agree with every single point!! I have to do #1 and I LOVE to do #2 🙂 Thanks for sharing with Teaching Tuesdays!
Yay for other people who do things similar. It’s amazing how much difference 5 minutes of cleaning up can make. I always feel much more relaxed afterwards. Sooo glad I’m not the only one that does the reading during bath time thing. I know a lot of people who puts their kids in the bath, scrub them down, and have them out in under 15 minutes. Honestly, bath time is one of the most relaxing kid awake times for me. 🙂
Bath time is about the only time I get any reading done. It’s about the only time I get the bathroom cleaned as well. There is always an internal battle about what I should do. Catch up on some leisurely reading and deal with the stinky boy bathroom or spend time scrubbing and not fear an unexpected guest stopping by. {sigh} the decisions of mommies. 🙂
I am a big fan of 5 minute cleanups, too. We always do a special one right before daddy gets home!
Oh, love the idea of doing a clean-up before daddy gets home! Might have to try that one.
Such great points here! I haven’t read during bath time for a while but used to a lot. Thanks for the reminder.
Thanks so much for sharing at Essential Fridays.
Blessings
Mel
Thank you for reading and for hosting Essential Fridays!
Great lessons. I love when my girls help in the kitchen. You’re right it takes much longer (and it’s messier) but it’s worth it. I have wonderful memories of working in the kitchen with my family and hope my girls have the same.
I totally agree about babies feeling left out. My youngest is same way. Thanks for stopping by the Mixer this week.
Yes, it is worth it! Little kids are so cute when they are helping in the kitchen and figuring out how to dump a measuring cup and stir without flour going everywhere. 🙂 Thanks for hosting!
I’d add #2 and #8 to my list too. In fact, we just bought a new toilet seat that was super cheap and I was almost afraid to sit on it while closed to watch my little girl splash in the tub while I read. Thankfully it does support the weight (go figure) and we’re both happy at bathtime. Thanks for sharing that Mommy Mixer this week!
How funny! It wouldn’t be fun to fall into the toilet as you were reading. Glad it worked well and bath times are enjoyable! Thanks for hosting!
My little guy loves Frog and Toad! 🙂 And he is a big helper in the kitchen as well… and yes it takes waaayyyy longer to let him help, lol.
Frog and Toad is fun! I love when she reads books I read when I was little. Way longer and way messier. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
I love them all!!! My favorite is trapping them in the tub to read 🙂 I have the same problem with my son repeating what I say and getting me into trouble. My husband said that he is picking up the way I say things and exaggerating what I do. It drives me crazy and I don’t like the mirror 🙂 Thanks for the great post!
Trapping them in the tub is awesome! In fact, we just finished an early afternoon bath and I got more reading in. 🙂 It is scary and enlightening. Glad that I’m not the only one that doesn’t like parts of themselves they see in a mimicking child.