[guest^]

A few weeks ago, we switched our hsing style-well,actually we didn't really have a style,and now we do!! LOL!!!<br><br>
Before, I let dd guide her way through the day,so everyday was different ,with a few routine components-like I read to them or showered while they had their breakfast.......we would walk our puppy......feed them lunch when it was around noon-1(ish!)-clean up the house before dh got home. When we yanked the tv awhile back,we went back to listening to music a good deal of the day. Ds would do whatever dd was doing or I was doing......<br><br>
Now, we have adopted a routine and a style that is mommy led-for the most part. The difference is that I now have dd at the kitchen table doing various academic subjects(we recently switched to TWTM)-she chooses what order she wants to do them, and jump-ropes inbetween every subject-or dances.<br><br>
Ds (surprisingly enough) is the one that is having a more difficult time adjusting to our new routine. He likes the jump-roping and dancing parts, but other than that,he is constantly trying to divert our attention, by doing things he knows he's not supposed to be doing,or just constantly asking to nurse,or whining,or trying to take away dd's work-or worse mark on it(she gets sooooo mad if he touches her work).<br><br>
I've nursed him on demand, read to him while dd doesn't need my help, set up trainset next to our table, brought out blocks,etc....he will not play by himself. We go to the park almost everyday.<br><br>
Last night, we decided to put some things in a little box, that resembles dd's box.....his own coloring books,paper,crayons,pencils,scissors,2 puzzles, and some stickers. I put it up on a high shelf, and will only bring it out for those"table" times every morning.<br><br>
Any other suggestions,or even things to add to his box,ANYTHING????<br><br>
mp

 

[Brenoi]

An extra Mommy <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/pinktongue.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="raz"> Just kidding. Sounds like a great idea. It just may take some time for him to adjust. Let us know if the box idea works.

 

[saintmom]

Maybe 2 or 3 boxes with different things you can rotate?Measuring cups and beans,dyed macaroi and glue,let em glue it to outlines of their name.Play dough,bread dough,cookie dough?Little dishes and a tub of water?Our library has alot of preschool books with ideas in the education section.you could try searching on the web for ideas too.Wish I new how to do links <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/eyesroll.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="roll"> Themailbox.com and ceativeteacher.com have freebies on their web site.Carson dellosa and evan-moore have age appropriate file folder games that you can make.Hope this helps some <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[anythingelse]

I think kids that age like transferring activities a lot and they are engrossing.<br><br>
Two bowls and a cut up sponge and a small pitcher of water on a tray<br>
A pair of sugar tongs and two bowls, fill one with beans<br>
A bag of different colored dry pasta and a ice cube tray to sort it out into<br>
Also a small chalkboard, a piece of chalk, and a wet sponge can be intriguing<br>
A bin of plastic animals and cars to sort by color into a couple smaller baskets<br><br><br>
HTH

 

[Mom4tot]

My ds always likes dry oatmeal in a shallow baking dish with a few hot wheels <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"><br><br>
Beans/ rice in a cupcake pan with scoops, etc.<br><br>
homemade dough used to keep dd busy for hours!

 

[lilyka]

Find some cheap work books and fat pencils. yes they will be wasted most likely but they will feel like they are a part of what is going on. thinks like dot to dots and fill in the blank, matching same and unsames (as dd says) are all big hits with my dd when she was 3. Also brighter vision offers some fun toddler packs for about $15.<br><br>
dry erase mats. they have them at grocery stores and walmart. these are fun and he will eventually grow nto them.<br><br>
sorting cups. when dd was little we got this set of I htink 100 little bears and 5 cups in colors to mathc the bears. you could count, put them into groups of 10, sort by color, play families :LOL<br><br>
go to any teachers store or the school isle at walmart and look at manipulatives. theyhave some cheap fun stuff there. Some other favorites of ours are pattern tiles, geo board (huge hit!!), chain links and cuisinare rods.<br><br>
a tape player with head phones (you can get these for $5 at wal-mart) and some educational tapes.<br><br>
two words - LEAP PAD (and head phones)<br><br>
stacks of old magazine, safty scissors and glue. you can say things like "make a picture with babies/blue things/cars/big, bigger, biggest"<br><br>
A good place to go for toddler stuff and ideas is <a href="http://www.lovetolearn.net" target="_blank">www.lovetolearn.net</a>

 

[guest^]

Brenoi-<br>
I got a kick out of your response! It totally sounded like something my bestfriend from college woul say!!! LOL!!!!<br>
I suppose somedays(those where our new puppy is barfing all over the place, and ds pulls his own poop out of his dipe-cause he doesn't want it there!!!)<br>
I DO feel like I need another mommy-or grandma,etc.....<br>
But,then I think about ALL of my friends who have AT LEAST 4 dc.......and I feel so guilty for not being able to instantly balance the two dc we have!<br>
Thanks for the laugh!<br><br>
mp

 

[guest^]

saintmom,Vanna's Mom,Mom4tot,and Lilyka<br>
After reading your responses, I realized that I have a todder on the verge of being a "preschooler".......I have been in total denial about his growing up,but this week alone,not only have I dealt with him wanting to be in the middle of "schooling" time,but HE has decided it's time to toilet learn......<br><br>
And I realized that when dd was this age, I WAS doing these kinds of crafty/educational activities with her.....it seems like I am so focused on her learning, I just want him to PLAY...not grow up into a preschooler!!!<br><br>
His cry for "more" is so obvious!!!!! But, this will be a challenge for me.... he is my last baby, and I am obviously trying to keep him there!!<br><br>
I have many wonderful preschool books.....with tears, I will take them off the shelf...following my sweet little ds.<br><br>
Thanks!<br><br>
Blessings,<br>
mp

 

[Brenoi]

mamapoppins,<br><br>
From the outside most of us look like we have it all together (most of the time). When we are home with the world exploding around us or in the car when they know we are too busy driving to really be able to do anything, the mask of the true family comes off. None of us really have it in balance, we just all fake it really well. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/wink1.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="wink1"><br><br>
Good luck with your new phase with the little one. They grow so fast.

 

[guest^]

Okay,I've had more time to really look at the answers you've given me....<br><br>
I think that perhaps I am underestimating ds...that maybe I could give him a shoebox full of dry beans/oatmeal....with some hotwheels....and he might avtually play with it-instead of throwing it across the room,or all over dd's school work!! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/orngbiggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="orange big grin"><br><br>
Vanna's mom-I have always wanted those trays-even in my Montessori days,I couldn't find them-of course I wasn't on the computer then either!! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/eyesroll.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="roll"><br><br>
Seriously,you ladies have given me some new ideas that I am willing to try.<br><br>
I did already give him different boxes with different activities in them.....he calls one of them his"preschool box"...it has hotwheel and various ball stickers,scissors,crayons,and easy to cut paper. Also some little coloring/activity books.<br>
His other box contains wooden toys.....lacing beads and board,wooden train thingy,and wooden puzzles.<br><br>
lilyka-we have the bears and sorting cups!!! Even "I" like to play with those!!! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/orngbiggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="orange big grin"><br><br>
everyday is different-we are potty learning-with success!-and that has,I'm sure, made us all a little crazy!!<br><br><br>
mp<br><br><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/thumb.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="thumbs up"><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/nut.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="nut"><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="thumbsup"><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/toddler.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="toddler">: <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/fly-by-nursing1.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Fly By Nursing1"><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/dishes.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="dishes"><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/dog2.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Dog">: <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/wash.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="wash"><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/learning.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Learning">: <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/idea.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="idea"><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/caffix.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="coffee">

 

[bunnybartlett]

I know but where did you ladies find the bears and sorting cups.My dd would love them....<br><br>
Linda

 

[lilyka]

Walmart - under $5<br><br>
I need to get more. Dh will kill me but they have gone astray (and been stepped on and pitched into the garbage with firociousness) and we must have more.

 

[bunnybartlett]

Linda

 

[fyrflymommy]

<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>lilyka</strong></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Walmart - under $5<br><br>
I need to get more. Dh will kill me but they have gone astray (and been stepped on and pitched into the garbage with firociousness) and we must have more.</div>
</td>
</tr></table></div>
what section?? i've never seen any <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/greensad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="greensad">

 

[lilyka]

They have a whole little school section with manipulatives, work books, flash cards, wipe off mats etc. . . At ours it is right between the art supplies and office supplies, near the school suplies etc. . .

 

[anythingelse]

your one dollar store has lots of coll cups, trays & tiny things to count and pour

 

[bunnybartlett]

found the bears and cups at Target!!! in the school supplies.They also have a set with just animals(100...20 each of 5 types<br>
) in the art supplies section.<br><br>
Linda