Are you in a parenting rut?
It’s easy as parents to do the same activities day in day out. For example arts and crafts is my forte, so naturally I tend to do a lot of these types of activities with Erin (see here).
It occured to me today that it was time for a change, for us both. So I got down on the floor and started playing silly games with balls, building blocks and chocolate buttons. Erin laughed lots and it made me realise how important it is to break from the norm. Regularly.
* If you are the arty parent, try ‘rolling about the floor’ play.
* If you’re usually the ‘rolling about the floor’ type try a nice quiet board game.
* If you prefer board games and puzzles, try something messy.
By shaking things up I discovered Erin loves playing catch with the ball pool balls:)
6 Responses to “Do Something Different”
That’s good advice, my problem is that I tend to forget to play with the kids entirely.
I’m usually so busy taking care of them, nuturing, whatever, that I forget to just play with them. Luckily that’s my husband’s talent and he makes up where I’m suffering. I do read though to them and take comfort in that.
I totally agree that you need to “mix it up” once in a while - need to keep the little ones on their toes!
When my son loses interest in a toy, I toss it into a large storage box (with lid) that sits in his play room. Every now and then, I open up the box and we go through its contents together. It’s one of the ways that I try to break the monotony - my son “rediscovers” his toys and finds different ways to play with the same old toy.
Before we know it, the old stacking cups are being used to set up an obstacle course for the Hot Wheels and the blocks from the shape sorter is being pressed into Playdoh to make neat shapes…and we are using the old toys to “do something different!”
good idea!
Variety is very important for kids. It does wonders for your mood, too!
Here from the Carnival of Family Life.
Sounds like you’re enjoying the change a much as Erin is. Mixing it up from time to time is a good way to keep little ones interested and curious, and makes for fun times all around.
Visiting from the Carnival of Family Life.
[...] We all like to focus on the things we are good at, but trying new things is important. Rotate the toys, visit a different park, take a different route, there are opportunites to learn in every new experience. [...]