I think that one of the most challenging things about being a mother is what in the world do you do with your kids all day long. I really, really struggle with this, especially with Hayden.
He has found the joys of video and computer games and given his choice that is what he would do from the moment he opened his eyes in the morning to the moment he closed them at night.
When given a limit on how long he can play, he will ask continuously until he can have it again. I have even been known to back down on the limit that I set just to make him stop asking me.
Well the other day, I had had enough. I loaded everyone in the car and we went to the park. When we got there I discovered some wonderful things that kept him entertained and physically active.
Like climbing a tree.
Asking him to climb out of 'jail' as fast as he could.
And this fabulous playground toy that I am totally going to sneak back to the park in the middle of the night and take home.I can just see it now. He says he is board and wants to play his game and I say no. Then I send him outside to run on this toy until he passes out. It will be fabulous and not cruel and unusal punishment at all.
Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek
Thank you everyone for your kind comments on my previous post. It is so nice to know that I am not alone and understood. You all make my heart happy.
I am feeling better after a full night's rest and a nap or two.
Oh, the wonders of sleep.
Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek
Thank you everyone for your kind comments on my previous post. It is so nice to know that I am not alone and understood. You all make my heart happy.
I am feeling better after a full night's rest and a nap or two.
Oh, the wonders of sleep.
41 comments:
I'm glad you feel better today. I'm sure we've all felt that way at one point or another in our lives.
I think you're right on target for wanting to use the wheel-thingie as a punishment. Perhaps we can order them somewhere? :)
Dude, you must patent this right away. You will be a millionaire.
That is an AWESOME playground! I have the same difficulty with Jack...it's a hard age with little ones at home too.
So glad you are feeling better...a good night's sleep usually makes me feel better too!
LOL Mine hasn't figured out how to run on ours yet she just rolls on her tummy. I'm not good at the all day stuff either.
Great post! When I saw its title, I couldn't open the window fast enough! Thanks for the tips.
Very sneaky.
My mom used to make my little brother go out and run up and down the driveway to tire him out.
I feel the same way about keeping kids entertained and active. Either I feel like I am running myself ragged entertaining them or I am feeling guilty about the kids sitting around watching TV.
But I am DIGGING this stealing the playground in the middle of the night idea. Let me know when you're planning your caper and I'll come along to steal the jungle gym!
Wow! I've never seen anything like that! Very fun!
A friend of mine teases me. I get to be a "SAHM" over the summer when I'm not teaching...but she says I'm NOT a "SAHM" because we don't Stay Home! LOL! We are always off to the park, play dates and visits with friends...we all have fun getting out and about. It is what keeps us all sane and we all have lots of fun - plus it wears them out faster! :-)
Tomorrow we're off to a bounce house place with fellow Moms of Multiples. :-)
I could have written this post .. my kid ALWAYS wants to play video games and he doesnt realize thet games on my iphone and the DS are the same as the PS3 or Wii........ silly boy
Graham would sit in front of the TV or computer all his waking hours too... and he happens to hate the playground.. so I'm screwed..
glad you're feeling better..
I agree with you about the nap & a good night's sleep (and a shower for me).
I have the same problem with Moose. I just don't exactly know what to do with him during the day. A lot of it he'll self-entertain: colors, cars. But then...that's about when I turn the tv on. I try to take him outside but even with that, unless he can take a "bath" (play in his water toys), he only wants to be outside 15 minutes. ugh.
I would love if Moose were old enough to be trusted not to kill himself on playground equipment. :S I just don't trust him.
wow that park is way cool!! i have the same issue with mason...i try my hardest to make sure he gets outdoor play time, but some days are easier than others!
I love it! The park I took B to when he was little had one of those spinners. It does get better. My kids complain of boredom but they play so much more independently as 9,8, and 6 year olds.
We love wearing the kids out at the park!! Great pictures :)
Oh how I love the park...the park and I, we're like this XXOO.
I have a routine down now...park in the AM, pool in the PM. I wear them out to the point where they're practically begging to go to bed. Too bad they just don't STAY in bed all night. It's like they get an initial 2-3 hours of sleep and they're up ready to party, as if it was a nap or something. I really think I'm gonna have to start locking my bedroom door at night and hanging a note on the door that reads "Fend for yourself....Mommy's sleeping".
Your boy is so cute! There is nothing better than spending as much as possible outside in the summertime! I can't keep my boys inside at all, which is great, because it makes for a nice 9 p.m. bedtime for both of them! It is hard keeping them busy all day long, though, isn't it? Amazing we do it every.single.day!
Playgrounds are a godsend, aren't they?
My nanny-friend and I also like to take our kids to the club both families belong to. We play with them in the pool some, and they spend aaaaages running from the beach to the pool to the playground. It's brilliant.
I recommend getting a giant hamster wheel. I so want to try one. I wish I had half my kids' energy!
He is so cute.
We're a big fan of playgrounds here.
Oh, I so need one of those in my backyard for the boys. If only!
Yeah, you totally have to mass produce that. You'd make a killing.
I've never had children but I have lots of young people in my life (I knew them all from when they were babies). Growing up my cousins and friends procreated early.
All of this to say that I have years and years of babysitting: vomit, diapers, tickles laughs and tears. But mostly love and joy. Through these experiences I've found that keeping kids busy is a challenge but it can be done. It's been a while now that all of my little people are married and in college however I recall going out doors, playing and running so long and intensely, they asked me when we were going home. I made up games: mostly hiding games. Hide and seek is a great energy stealer. Try that with little Hayden and see if that works. I hope this helps.
another thing that works is a trampoline, a sprinkler and a little bit of dish soap :) Keeps 'em occupied for hours!
Oh you slept girl! How did that happen? So glad you are feeling better! And that is a great toy. My kids are all "outside" lovers - even our own yard with just a sandbox, small jungle gym and their ride-ons provide hours of outside fun. My problem start on days like today (and this weekend) where it is really too cold to play outside. I would so not be able to live somewhere like Canada.
Do you think it will work on a four-year-old girl?! It seems like the more tired I get the more energy my daughter gets! I may come steal that from your park too!
That is a great park. I wish it was close to my house. Better yet next time you go come by and pick up my boys to go with you. ;)
lol OR you could just get one of those lifesize hamster balls. rofl
I miss the park but it's been too hot here. And if we go early in the morning no one is there yet and the slides are wet. Boo hoo...
Something about little boys... nothing seems to wear them out!
There are days when I think I should put my 2 year old on a leash and run him around the block like a dog...
Jen:
I have been following for awhile. I have three children (one special needs so it feels like more). Maybe we are twins separated at birth b/c your voice sounds like mine! And I have been in a sad funk for several days now. Hang in there. Idea; give your kids buckets of water and old paintbrushes and have them 'paint' the driveway or sidewalk. Worse: give them old toothbrushes and tell them they have to cover the entire driveway. Don't tell them that this is an old frat pledging task.
Our is only 2 but I would LOVE to have one of these available the day he turns 4. LOL.
I totally know where you're coming from..having my own 4-year-old who is obsessed with tv and the computer. It's amazing to me though that she loves the park, but it's like pulling teeth to get her to play on her own backyard jungle gym.
great idea on how to tire him out.
love the pictures
Love the playground and all the wonderful (torture) playing devices they have. My son could run for HOURS on the playsets they have there. If I could just find it in me to have the energy to take him!
Love those days! When we are going and going, it's so nice to come home and the kiddos crash. lol! Love the photos and the whole "break out of jail" game. So fun!
Remember when we were kids and we entertained ourselves? I don't remember my mom ever doing anything with us kids......well, not like I did with my girls.
When the girls were little I used to go down to the park or beach with friends and hang there until the kids fell down from too much fun!
We try to be active as well, otherwise my kids would all drive me crazy with the same requests.
MOM! TV?
MOM! Wii?
MOM! I'm hungry. Snack?
MOM! Internet?
UGH! Insanity!
Glad you found something to work for him (and you!)
I have the opposite! Mine will never touch video games and want to be entertained all the time. Is there ever a balance?!?!?!
had to do the exact same thing today except my son is 12! took awhile to get him into it, but he had a good time...
I'm sure this post title is catnip to moms of 4-year-old boys everywhere ... like me!
Mine just keeps going and going and going and going and going...
Love it! I send mine outside to race around the outside of the house every so often.
I hope your funk from the last post has totally gone - not much fun. Maybe you need new curtains?
Ya gotta love a good park. I think most of us struggle with the the "what do I do" and "no more games" issues.....
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