I have a friend who until recently ran an at-home daycare. Two adults and something like 10 kids! I used to think I could do this as a source of income, I do not think I could! Another reason why finding daycare for children can be so overwhelming. I have a degree and have worked with children my whole life but to take on this task? Let’s just say I commend those who do it and do it well! With her husband achiving a promotion and a move further south she will now be a stay at home mom. The last time I saw her she asked, “OK so tell me. How do you fill your day?”
The million dollar question! How should I fill my day? I felt like responding!
I think this is a constant struggle for any stay-at-home-mom. Day after day, week after week, month after month… well I think you get the idea. To feel like a good, creative mom all the time? I wonder if that is even possible. I struggle with success, guilt, failure in a circle constantly.
I often wonder if I even put more pressure on myself as a former teacher I know just how much kids are capable of, how they crave structure and purposeful activities. But to live everyday with such intent is no small task. There are days where I think, man we had fun! There are days where I get a lot done everything except to feel like a really good mom and then there are days where I wonder what did we do?
When I was teaching somedays the students and I would write in poster paper everything we did that day. At the end of the day we would review it as a way of feeling accomplishment and recapping our focus. The days I did this I always felt better even though we did not do anything different from any other day. I have been thinking that this is what I should do once a week as a mom. Perhaps it will help me keep in perspective that I am giving her what she needs and what I want to be giving her as a parent. Some days of course would be more impressive than others but that is to be expected! This is something I constantly have to tell to myself! Maybe someday I will believe it!
I find myself even more worried with Ella arriving. How will I possibly give Ava everything she needs? I am thankful that preschool is around the corner at least there I know someone will give her the purpose and structure she craves. I still want home to provide this…. AH parenthood! Endless questions, guilt, success and challenges!
How do you fill your day? I would LOVE ideas!!!!
Here are some of our favorite activities that fill time of course some we do everyday while others are more rare!
**story time, dance party, tea party, pretend play cooking, baking real food, legos, baby doll play, puzzles, lacing beads, blocks/legos, play dough, painting (lots of choices on types and paper size or color), stickers/ stamps, showers or bath just to play, park time at least three days a week rain or shine with Lola, play dates, Gymboree class, errands, children’s museum, zoo, other outings, and yes TV! Some days I feel super successful on limiting TV to hardly any others…. well there are days where I am not as good about it! There are other 5 min. games, activities and toys throughout the day as a toddlers attention span is short! I was serious… if you have a game, toy, activity that you could not live without SHARE!!!!!
How I have Ava help with chores:
** sorting laundry and putting it in the machine/ pushing the buttons, pushing the buttons on the dishwasher, putting away silverware (nothing sharp!), dusting or washing with a cloth while I clean, feeding the pets, sweeping while I vacuum.
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