Activities: How many and how to have the time and energy to do them.

Reader question: How many activities do you do? How do you find the time and energy to set them up?

1) At home I aim for 2 times a day when I go out of my way to set specific things up for my child/ren. That’s it. Sometimes it ends up many! Other times just one. Either way, keeping two in mind makes it feel achievable. To start with, aim for one that is super easy to set up. There is no need to over do it, become super stressed and then not want to do anything at all. 

2) The old saying, give them 10 minutes and they’ll give you an hour, can be true. Focused attention for a short time usually leads to time playing independently. I say CAN be true, because I have one never-enough-attention child. You know if you have one.  Don’t try to explain this to someone else, because other children can function super easily without all the attention, so others may not understand. My advice? Be FIRM and clear with boundaries around parent play time, otherwise you will find it difficult to allocate time to do anything else (unless of course you have no problem playing 24/7- it’s really all about what you are comfortable with). A visual timer can be great when they are young (google ‘time timer’ or use an iPad visual timer). 'Bedroom rest time’ after lunch for a short time can be helpful for parents who like a little personal space and quiet. I love children who love to talk! But yes, it’s important they learn to work in with the rest of the family, and the personal boundaries of others.

3) Set up an activity at a time that fits with the rhythm of your household. No one should be too tired or hungry. For us that is usually after the girls play outside as I hang the washing on the clothes line. We continue outdoors if appropriate for the activity, or come inside, wash hands and start straight away. We are all usually calm and happy after being out in the fresh air. 

4) Prepare an activity while the kettle boils. It will surprise you how fast it can be pulled together! Then make your cuppa and sit nearby as the child/ren play (just keep the boiling water well out of reach). You can chat with them as they play or fold the washing, or do something else. Just stay close but not too controlling of what’s going on. A good example would be to get out a box with play dough and other supplies, placing them in bowls on the table, with play dough on a board. It takes 2 minutes.

5) Once finished clean up with them, or if it’s a messy activity wash hands, and let them play with toys as you quickly clean up. Look at my last post for help here.

6) Know that some children will be happy to completely direct their own play or prefer play with siblings. I had one child like this. No desire to play with adults (or play set up by adults) as a toddler, wanting only to play with other children. We are all different- even babies and children. I would set up an activity or invitation to play after school pick up while they all ate a snack. This child was more than happy to then play with play dough or paint alongside siblings (to encourage the development of fine motor skills). If the child was an only child, inviting friends over to encourage them to try new areas of play may help.

7) Create a Pinterest board or Instagram saved section called “Easy to set up activities.” When you see something that can be set up and packed away in 2 minutes or less, save it. That way you can quickly choose one activity each morning.