This may be silly but how do you guys entertain your toddlers during the mornings on weekends?
DS1 typically gets up at 7am and before we had DS2, DH and I would take turns getting up with him. However now that I am up at night with DS2 and working during the week, DH gets up on both mornings with DS1 so that I can sleep in. I appreciate him doing so but he always puts on Bubble Guppies for DS1 to watch all morning long and I think it's too much TV for him. DS1 has toys in the living room (where the TV is) but he seems to prefer just watching TV.
Do you actively play with your kids or do they play independently? Do they play with toys or do you play other games with them? I will probably start switching off weekend morning duties again with DH so that DS1 gets at least one morning on the weekend without the TV constantly being on. I'm just trying to get ideas of activities we can do in the mornings especially since it's too cold right now to play outside or do anything active outside the house.
Thanks in advance!
Re: Entertaining Toddler on Weekend Mornings
Usually, I do the same thing we do on weekdays, only slower and more laid back. The kids get up and play and usually I get breakfast made. I make omlettes or waffles a lot on weekend mornings. Then I don't know, usually the baby needs fed, dishes need done, beds need made, a load of laundry needs thrown in. That's the time I try to teach the kids how to do that stuff, so it takes forever.
My DS loves playdoh, painting (brushes, fingerpaint, matchbox cars), books and playing on his train table or with his dinosaurs. I also got a few work books that have stickers that he loves to do.
Sometimes I'll lay one or two things out on his little table the night before to make it easy for us when we are still just trying to wake up ...
I'm a HUGE fan of the really big box of playdoh (I think it's like 32 colors for $20 on Amazon) and some generic "tools." If your DS loves trucks/cars, playdoh has a line of construction trucks. We now have a few of those and they keep him well occupied, just as often though he plays with the generic playdoh "tools" and his little toy dinosaurs - "making footprints."
The other thing that's been SUPER useful is a BIG role of brown paper... i just tear off a big sheet and let him paint/stamp/color. He really does love "making tracks" with his various matchbox cars.
I'm not "crafty" so I was kind of relieved to find he enjoys just creating things with simple supplies.
Workbooks are also awesome. DS LOVES to do a worksheet... little mazes, matching pictures, working on his letters etc... You can find them at Dollar Tree.
DS also loves puzzles so we do a lot of that. Sometimes we'd also take him for a walk to get Starbucks for the sleeping spouse. It's a nice treat to wake up to a fresh latte
DS has soccer and swim each wknd in the late mornings (indoor right now) and used to also do Gymboree.
After nap we hit a park or museum. We live "downtown" so we are close to children's, natural history and our state museums so we have annual passes to all and make much use of them.
We are also frequent fliers at the library. DS loves it - the books and puzzles alone. Plus they have story times and sing alongs, too. We pop in every weekend at some point. I highly recommend checking your local library - I'm shocked at how much ours offers
Well I'm not much help here because most mornings I turn on the TV and let DD watch Max and Ruby for 1-1.5 hours while I drink coffee and talk to my mom or sister on the phone. I need some downtime, especially in the morning when I'm wondering WTF just happened to my dreams of sleeping in.
While you got good ideas, the issue isn't things to do, it is breaking the habit for both your DS and DH. I used to be really good about 1 Disney jr. show a day but between the second kid and various other life things the kids are watching more tv then I would like. Simple solution is to turn it off. They will find something to do.
Obviously like everything else in life, much easier said than done. I would just have a talk with your DH and maybe agree to 1 show in the morning so he can have a few minutes to chill, then music is a great idea. I also think that a few months will make a big difference. At 4 and 2.5 I realized a few weeks ago that they play together/alone for long enough for me to make dinner and do my own things. It is glorious.
I would NOT give up sleeping in on the weekends so you can monitor or help rectify this situation. Based on your follow up post, I would say you and your DH can agree to disagree on how much tv is acceptable, and compromise on one show or one hour (whatever you agree to) of screen time. Then the tv goes off and it's time for an activity.
And so DH isn't stuck dealing with a screaming toddler who is POd that his show was turned off, have him make it something fun, like a toy that only comes out on Saturday mornings, or helping to make a special breakfast for Mommy, or a trip to pick up breakfast or to the playground or whatever. It can be as involved as your DH wants it to be.
Then everyone is happy and you still get your sleep.