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Eco-Friendly Family
Adding a 2yo into our lives :)
Starting April 5th, DH and I will have our 2yo Godson living with us M-F until the end of summer when we move. His mom is going back to school and has to work full time after it, so it is just a better option for most involved. I have taken care of him since he was 4mo, but never full time like this, and obviously not FT with my 8mo DS. I normally just get him on Tuesday nights for a few hours and then he goes home.
How do I do this? What kinds of things can 2yo's do/ are they interested in? Etc? We signed him up for the Y so we can do gym time with him during the day, and he isn't cooped up into our tiny 2 bedroom apartment all day every day. I looked into things our local library offers as well, and we can take him once a week to story time there, which should be fun. There's a park real close by where he can play on the playground and go for walks/runs. But other than this kind of stuff, I'm stuck.
I also need to figure out what kind of easy meals there are that he could eat as well. DH and I normally skip around meals and often eat out for dinner seeing as how he isn't home from Thurs nights-Mon mornings. So that's a real challenge for me. I don't really cook all that well, but I do have a crock pot that I enjoy. 
How can I keep us all happy and not go insane with the close quarters? It's already been a bit difficult trying to clear out DS's room to add in another bed, dresser space, etc. Ugh... I'm really starting to stress this, but I know deep down, that it will not be so bad. Any advice or suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated.
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Re: Adding a 2yo into our lives :)
My 2yo nephew LOVES wrestling figures, but that's mostly because his dad is a semipro. He also loves coloring with big chunky crayons and he loooooves books. I rec the Pigeon books by Mo Willems. Maybe some chunky duplo blocks?
FWIW, I think it's really awesome you guys are stepping up to help like this!!!
2011 Reading Challenge
DS isn't quite 2, but his loves:
bikes- anything and everything bikes.
books- we read at least 20 or so a day (and he's in daycare ft on top of that)
trains
toy cars
colouring
music/dancing/"singing"
building blocks- my uncle made him a bunch of really cool blocks, all different shapes and he just loves making towers and then destroying them
I would definitely head to the park daily if you can fit it into your routine. DS just lights right up whenever we go.
i have a girl so it may be a little different. but cars, train sets (tracks), building blocks, and lots of time outside would probably all be big hits (esp with a bucket/shovel combo to dig or pick up rocks/leaves).
as for food. DD is at an age (and enough teeth) that she pretty much eats what we eat. Fork and Spoon are all use-able but no knife (not even a toddler non-sharp one). So any kind of pizza, pancakes, raisins, carrot sticks, animal crackers, pasta, yogurt, pb&j, ravioli (the mini ones), corn off the cob, peas, green beans, beans (black or red), mini crackers w/ a dab of peanut butter (we buy the mini-saltines *new* since they are bite sized), cubes of cheese, mashed potatoes, oven potatoes, etc.
DD especially likes things she can eat on the run while she's playing (esp snacks). I try to give her at least 2 options at each meal (on her plate) and as long as she finishes one i'm happy.
our little one can brush her teeth (with a little help from us to get them squeaky clean after), feed herself, pick her clothes, wash her hands, pick up toys (with a lot of direction and patience), sort clothes and play alone for 15-20 mins at a time.
i'd say just try to keep his toys in his own space (since your house is not new but still not HIS house) and when your baby naps try to do some personal activity like painting or coloring that needs your full attention so he gets his own personal time. And try to get out of the house, since the weather is getting nicer (here anyway) try to take a walk or just play in the yard or park for an hour or so every other day. open spaces he can run and play work wonders with hyper little people.
good luck. you'll do fine. (sorry this turned so long)
my little guy is only 18 months old, but i wanted to add one suggestion for you. We enrolled in a Mom's Morning Out program through a local church. For us, it is 8:30-12, two mornings a week, for $45/mo. Snack is provided, we pack a lunch. It is a great time for my son to socialize, play with new toys, take part in different activities (they are very creative leaders), and for me it is a much needed break. Maybe there are similar programs near you which would give you some time either alone or with just your son. (it will be a huge adjustment for him too don't forget!) I would also look into any children's museums or playspaces for rainy days. Toddlers are a whirlwind of energy!
what you are doing is so admirable, and i hope the best for you!
Wow thank you all so much.
I got him some of those Mega blocks to play with, coloring books/crayons, but I think I will try and melt the crayons down so I can make him some big chunky ones instead of the small ones that break easily. He's got a basketball hoop/balls in our living room. I'm trying to find "big kid" toys on CL that he can play with. He's really good at playing with DS and his toys, but they are for small children, and I want him to have his own things too. He loves balls of any kind, so I'm willing to bet we will have a multitude of those soon.
I'm also trying to make sure whatever toys we have for him DS can be around so he doesn't choke or something.
Melsie- I think having his own toy box is a wonderful idea. Thank you for all the suggestions too! It's exactly what I needed. DH and I are going to have to go to the grocery store with him on Tuesday and have him pick out his own foods that he likes. It's what my mom does with him when she has him over for dinners. He will tell her if he wants hot dogs, chicken "kickin", brocolli "bocali", corn "cone" lol it's the cutest thing ever. I love his little language. I know most of his favorite foods, but breakfast is going to be an issue as he's allergic to eggs, and that's usually what we have most days. I'm sure I'll come up with something. But thanks for reminding me I need to get him silverware and a tooth brush.
We got him a little stool for in the bathroom, and a little seat that goes on the big potty seat. He's starting to PL so that will be challenging too, but I am not expecting anything from that, especially with a huge change in his life.
But I really appreciate all of you and your advice/experience! If you have anything else to add, please do!
I love this site for toddler specific crafts & projects. You can sort by age 2-3 on the side.
https://www.notimeforflashcards.com/At our local YMCA, they have little things like this so that he can go there and play with other kids and run around to his heart's content.
I was really excited when they told me about it, plus I've gotten to know the kid's activities director pretty well. I believe there are also mom's groups in my area as well, just have yet to check them out. A friend of mine also told me about a little place not too far from here that I could take him and he can play all day for really cheap too. It has an indoor play set with swings, slides, etc, there's also a stage with dress up things so he could do that, all sorts of different activities. I can't wait to go there!
Dobie- THANK YOU! for that site! I just looked real quick and saw so many really neat things for us to do. I love the sensory tubs she has on there. He's getting a pail and shovel and some gardening tools for Easter from us, so that would be perfect!
My two year old sons is obsessed with trains and planes and cars and trucks and helicopters - anything that goes. He'll play with them, watch movies about them (there is a real life helicopter video on as I type this), go for walks to look for them, anything. Anything Thomas related is a big hit. His best little friend is super into fire trucks and firemen so it really just depends. I'm sure your friend will let you know what he's big into at that point.
He also likes robots, playing basketball and any sport really (loves golf and soccer specifically), going on walks, going to the playground - he can do most of the stuff by himself now except swings and a rope ladder. We also go to the library for story time, the local family network for a pre pre-school type program, we're hoping to do a local touch-a-truck event this summer when they host it (a nearby town brings out all their emergency vehicles and city trucks like cleaners, etc). He also just likes to go outside and do bubbles or sidewalk chalk. Anything creative and artsy works - crayons, markers, playdoh, whatever. He also likes helping me to cook and bake - I let him have a whole carrot and a table knife (so incredibly dull) and his own cutting board and he stands up at the counter with me on a stool and helps me cook.