I've got this evening routine going with 4 yr old DS and he really seems to be enjoying it....
dinner followed by a bit of playtime. Possibly a snack, maybe not. (depending on what time the kids ate, how much, if they ask) 7 PM is pick up the living room and their bedroom, followed by pajamas and teeth. Followed by bedtime story and TV (DS loves watching DVR'ed Jon and Kate plus 8 with me, likes watching the kids, so I started DVR'ing anything that shows the kids a lot doing fun stuff) between 8 and 8:10ish (supposed to be 8 but if we're close to the end of a book or show, we'll finish it) is potty and tuck-in for DS.
The problem I've got is this: If I'm reading a book with DS, DD (age 2 next month) is there trying to turn pages and take the book. I have tried to get her involved ("oh look, what is he doing? where's the duck?" whatever) Nope. She's got to be trying to turn to another page three pages down or something.
She does not *want* a different book.
Weve only been doing this a couple days so she doesn't understand yet that she can have her turn to read the book in whatever way she wants when we are done.
DS and I might be sitting on the couch watching the show and DD has to try to plant herself between DS and me. I am in the middle of the couch. There's a whole side of the couch on the other side of me. DS won't switch because he *claims* he can't see the TV. (He can, the couch faces the TV directly across the room. He just for whatever reason he's got does not want to move.) DD won't sit over there happily even though she is still by me. And my lap is usually out because it's occupied by the newborn nursling.
we were frustrated tonight. especially because DS is trying to enjoy the activities and time with me. DD is totally free to join us or play in the room doing her own thing. Her entire intent seems to be to get the attention on her, which is understandable, she's probably jealous of the new baby and she's doing this when I seem to be 'focused' on older DS.
but the thing is, she COULD join right in and be just as included! there's two sides of me. I would more than happily read a book to each of them. She can sit on the other side of me with another book that she can flip around in the way she wants to, then have ours...any other ideas?!
dinner followed by a bit of playtime. Possibly a snack, maybe not. (depending on what time the kids ate, how much, if they ask) 7 PM is pick up the living room and their bedroom, followed by pajamas and teeth. Followed by bedtime story and TV (DS loves watching DVR'ed Jon and Kate plus 8 with me, likes watching the kids, so I started DVR'ing anything that shows the kids a lot doing fun stuff) between 8 and 8:10ish (supposed to be 8 but if we're close to the end of a book or show, we'll finish it) is potty and tuck-in for DS.
The problem I've got is this: If I'm reading a book with DS, DD (age 2 next month) is there trying to turn pages and take the book. I have tried to get her involved ("oh look, what is he doing? where's the duck?" whatever) Nope. She's got to be trying to turn to another page three pages down or something.
She does not *want* a different book.
Weve only been doing this a couple days so she doesn't understand yet that she can have her turn to read the book in whatever way she wants when we are done.
DS and I might be sitting on the couch watching the show and DD has to try to plant herself between DS and me. I am in the middle of the couch. There's a whole side of the couch on the other side of me. DS won't switch because he *claims* he can't see the TV. (He can, the couch faces the TV directly across the room. He just for whatever reason he's got does not want to move.) DD won't sit over there happily even though she is still by me. And my lap is usually out because it's occupied by the newborn nursling.
we were frustrated tonight. especially because DS is trying to enjoy the activities and time with me. DD is totally free to join us or play in the room doing her own thing. Her entire intent seems to be to get the attention on her, which is understandable, she's probably jealous of the new baby and she's doing this when I seem to be 'focused' on older DS.
but the thing is, she COULD join right in and be just as included! there's two sides of me. I would more than happily read a book to each of them. She can sit on the other side of me with another book that she can flip around in the way she wants to, then have ours...any other ideas?!
