I want to start this post with one question: What brought you here, to this site? What are you looking for?
OK, that was two questions.
But really, what are you hoping to gain as you search for activities to do with your toddler? Why do you keep pinning activities and going back to find more?
When I first started trying to entertain my toddler, I was just hoping to get her to stop whining so I could have five minutes of peace and quiet.
That’s it.
Five freaking minutes.
I had a newborn. My toddler had just turned two.
I was exhausted.
And my mind was consumed by all the small tasks that come with taking care of little ones.
When they’re young, they need soooo many things all at the same time, right?!
When one kid is down for a nap, the other is up and ready to play. When one is dressed and freshly changed, there’s still the other one to get ready. This one needs a drink, the other wants more Cheerios… you get the picture.
It’s easy to get lost in having to complete all the tasks.
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The Problem
As a new(ish) mom, I felt so busy and tired, and was always craving a minute to myself. I rushed around trying to get stuff done just so I could sit for a moment and breathe.
To keep my toddler busy and out of the way, I kept her favorite show on.
It worked. For awhile, I could go about my day peacefully, nap a little, snack a little.
Until it stopped working. Netflix failed me. Little Baby Bum failed me.
My toddler was
- whiny,
- irritable, and
- terrifying.
She followed me around constantly, suffocating me with questions and a general attitude of crankiness and rebellion.
I decided it was time for a change.
I had no clue how to begin. I just knew we needed to do something different. I thought maybe she just needs a different kind of entertainment, like a kid’s activity.
So I set up a consultation with Pinterest.
*types easy toddler activities*
The ones that looked the most fun, required supplies I didn’t already have.
Others had broken links, and I couldn’t find the original source (not that I really tried too hard) to read about the activity.
A few frustrating days later, I gave up and decided it was better to stop searching and just start doing something.
At this point, I was spending more time on my phone looking for ways to keep my toddler entertained than actually keeping my toddler entertained.
The Activity
So we just started. I picked a simple activity from my childhood: making a cereal necklace.
I wish I could show you how much she lit up when I got all the supplies ready for the activity.
I wish you could feel the happiness radiating from that little two-year-old’s face that day.
I wish I could explain how incredibly proud I felt at how hard she worked to thread those Cheerios onto the craft lace and how thrilled we both were when she got her first one on.
If I had never stopped looking for the perfect activity, we never would have started trying them. We never would have made this connection over the most un-elaborate of activities.
We probably only spent about fifteen minutes doing the cereal necklace craft, but you guys, we really bonded.
I made my two-year-old feel loved and special.
I introduced her to a new experience and taught her something.
I cheered her on and encouraged her to work hard and persevere.
I helped her improve a skill (fine motor development, if you were wondering), and the whole experience was so rewarding.
Lessons Learned
The rest of the day, of course, was not perfect. We’re human, and one experience didn’t magically transform us into the perfect mom and daughter.
But, we grew closer. And the next day was a little easier.
I started to understand my two-year-old a little better. I began to really see her and love on her in a new way.
I’ve learned something from that very first toddler activity we did together.
When kids act out and exhibit disruptive behaviors, we need to look a little closer. They’re not looking for the negative attention, what they want is a connection. They need relationship.
We can meet our kids’ physical needs all day long. Heck, we can even pay someone to meet our kids’ physical needs. Daycares do it. Teenage babysitters can keep our kids alive.
But let’s not forget that our kids need to feel loved, too. They need to feel that they belong somewhere.
They need to feel secure in their connection with the people who matter most to them.
Hint, hint: That’s us.
So that’s why I do all these activities with my daughters.
To connect with them.
To spend quality time with them.
To make them feel loved and cherished.
(And also to keep them busy so I can get some stuff done! That’s definitely still a reason!)
Your Turn
Today, I want to encourage you to do a special activity with your child. It’s OK if you don’t think it’ll “Wow” them. It’s OK if it doesn’t turn out perfect, I just want you to try.
Shut down the pinning factory and do something.
All you need is fifteen minutes and the willingness to try something new together.
HOw do I start?
If you need somewhere to start, I’ve put together a 5-day activity plan. You’ll get a printable planner with the supplies for each activity listed.
Super easy, right? Half the battle is getting supplies and knowing what to do with them.
I’ll also send you the full activity “recipe” for each day, which will show you the exact steps to take to do the activity and give you ways to vary the activity so you can tailor it to your child’s abilities and interest level.
Tap the button below to learn more and sign up.