Being back at work 2 days a week was the best decision I could have made for myself and my family. I know lots of people probably think I am being selfish, and lots can't imagine going to work when there kids are so little, heck I even think I am being selfish, however I am so much happier and so excited for my days off with my kids. One of the best parts is I find it so much easier to fill our days. As I have written before I am not very creative and find it hard to think of things for us to do throughout the day, hence the reason I get out of my house a lot. From Fun Zone to Open Gymnastics, to parent and tot swim time. With only having three days now to think of activities it has been much easier and we have drastically cut back on how many shows we watch. As long as we get up and going and head somewhere in the morning, I only have the afternoons to fill the time, which is super easy when it is nice outside, we head outside or walk to the park, then come inside for some free play and then maybe some structured play. Then time to make super and wait for Daddy to come home. There has still been some rough days and some temper tantrums and meltdowns but life is definitely in a better place now. It also helps that Wade is so much more mobile, is amazing at playing with his toys, and though he still likes to be held it doesn't need to be 24/7. So the biggest reason for this post is because I wanted to ask all you moms and dads out there what has been your most creative easy activity that you do with your kids to fill the time throughout the day. I will share mine in hopes that you will all share yours so we can all benefit from this, as I am sure I am not the only mother who finds it hard to fill our days with fun, useful activities for our kids.
Mine has definitely been are play bins. I bought this bin from the dollar store for probably $4. I started by filling it with snow and then adding spoons and then those small tupperware snack holders. I fill the tupperware containers with water and then add food coloring. I put them directly in the bin and she loves using the spoons and taking the water from the containers and putting it on the snow and watching it change color. As the snow has started to harden and also melt I have done a couple more ideas. One is the pinwheel pasta with again spoons, bowls, containers and let her just play, kind of like a rice station only I find easier to clean up. A couple times I have also filled the bin with a small amount of water then again added spoons and bowls and soap and she will take her zoo animals and give them baths, I also give her a small tea towel here to dry them off with. Anytime we play with our bin it usually occupies a good 30 to 40 minutes of our time and lets me get some stuff done around the house. Alright so there she be, my best and most creative activity, oh and the best part wicked cheap, $4 for the bin and $2 for the pasta. Your turn to share now.
