The following are things I’ve felt have really enhanced my chosen role. Granted I am a bit of a type A, and doing many of these things could be deemed unnecessary , and doing all of them like I do is probably ridiculous. But pick one that really does cut a corner for you, and then maybe you’ll also think to try one that’ s new. I worry that some may be too obvious. I only know that no one told me, so there’s gotta be someone out there who doesn’t know. Of course there were no scientific trials, and I was only deciding their safety by my standards. Try at your own risk!
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September 15, 2009
Keeping Kids Entertained
For me, a hard age to get through with my kids was around the nine month mark. Even though we were really communicating, and they always love to laugh at something again and again and again and again…..their overriding theme seems to be FRUSTRATION. They want to be able to move and control their bodies on THEIR terms. Most of the time they themselves aren’t capable yet, or it might be that they are not allowed to due to place, timing, danger, etc. The result is wailing, yelling, etc. This stage inevitably occurred when we were going on a trip, or needed to spend more time than usual in the car, or Holiday shopping, etc. Oh, and any help that I am SO FORTUNATE to have is ill or on vacation. This incredible trick saved the day on so many occasions, and it made me laugh every time.
I was on the floor with my guy on his back next to me making my “Yearly Collage” (future tip/craft!), and had my supplies surrounding me (no dangerous ones). Interspersed with these supplies were various toys my son liked to manipulate and suck on. Our position allowed for two very important things: he could kick, flail, and ‘scoot’ as much as he needed, and when he became incensed over some minor detail of the object he was dealing with ( I CANNOT FIT TWELVE OF THESE PLASTIC RINGS IN MY MOUTH AT ONE TIME!!!!!!!), I could quickly pass him a new one and quell his screaming. I could get a solid 30 min. of stuff done. Then I realized he had been stress free, and in fact gurgling happily for an unusually long stretch. I looked over and saw his mood mellower was scotch tape! He had managed to pull a very long piece and was enjoying that the stickiness meant that it didn’t get lost in his mouth while he tasted it ( I CAN FIT IT IN AND PULL IT OUT AND DO THAT AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN….!!!) Or if he chose to, he could catch it AND throw it at the same time! It never dropped, it was always in site.
After that I always kept a dispenser in my bag, the lightest problem solver ever! There always seemed to be a situation that would awake the Frustration King or Queen. In the car and they’re ticked at the car seat that is restraining them. On a plane and they want to go up and down the aisle. Waiting in a line, or a reception office, screaming at their boredom. In the grocery store and not being allowed to pull everything off the shelves. Just rip ‘em off a long piece of tape. You and those around you get a break, and they’re fascinated. They have joy for their loyal friend. Fine motor manipulation skills are honed. Maybe tape even helps generate future surgeons!
