I have been working FT for about past year and as of mon will be staying home due to it costing more than we make! I have very active children ages 2 and 3 and am a bit freaked out about what to do with them! I am hoping to keep my son at his present preschool at Kindercare like 2 or 3 days just half days. That will help him still learn and be around other kids. But I am not sure if we can even swing that at the moment! I am just not really sure what to do with them! As of now they stay very active doing things. any suggestion?
Hi A.,
There is a preschool group that a friend of mine attends once a week on Tues. It's out in the Rio Rancho/ Westside Alb. area. Let me know if you're interested and I'll email more information to you. They have story time, crafts, songs, etc.
I stay at home with my three little girls 5,3, and 7 months. During the day I let them color or we do crafts togther, sometimes we will watch a movie or two (Disney, barbie or simalar.)It's important to let them get outdoors for at least an hour a day. My girls love to play with sidewalk chalk or go to the park. I know it can be a hard transsition from working FT to staying at home full time, but just enjoy your kids and have fun. I hope this helps.
Hello, I am M. and I have a wonderful but a very energetic 2 year old son. I have just recently started staying home too, but the catch is that I am working from home 7am to 3pm Monday thru Friday. Anyway I have found some things that are free of cost to parents. I am not sure where you live but Superstition Springs mall has a little story time and puppet show every Thursday Morning at 10 I believe. Also every Thursday and Saturday the Borders at the Mall have toddler story time. I have also been taking my son to the Library for story time. They also have some other activities, so just check the library out and see if anything is there that you are interested in. There is also a place on Warner and McQueen called Rollie Pollies and they have classes that are dancing, music, tumbling and other energetic activites for kids. Their classes require the parent to interact also.
Hopefully, I have been of some help.
-M.
A.- I am not sure if you live in Gilbert, but there is an Active Moms magazine posted every month with day by day activities in there. They list a lot of free activities like story hours and such, and they also list a lot of 2 for 1 specials, meal specials... it is full of valuable info.
How about the library for story-times and for checking out movies and books for free, play-dates with other moms/kids (look online for moms groups in your area), the park, going to the mall playgrounds or indoor ones at restaurtants? Also, places like Michaels have craft-times and Parks and Rec have programs. If you are low-income, you can qualify for free/discounted activities - even the preschool may have financial aid or consider enrolling in a church preschool. The Parent Connection is a wonderful resource as well! Sometimes, it helps to pick up a parenting magazine, an online site, or get an activity book from the library to get some creative/inexpensive ideas - but making a calender of what to do each day can help keep you motivated and the kids excited about looking forward to a new activity each day ;)
Best of luck!
Daily trips to your local park really burn a lot of energy. There are several stores in the valley that sell learning books and activities that help give you great idea's. It really is a leaning process for you and your kids. It maybe frustrating in the begining, but hang in there it does get better. Believe me I know, I have been thru it as well.
Good luck!
Cynthia
A.,
I am a member of a moms club and could not live without it. I recommend that you go to momsclub.org and click on chapters to find the one in your area. Give them a call. Our groups meets 2 to 3 times a week at various locations. This is a great way for you and your kids to make new friends and keep a fairly busy schedule. Usually the cost of membership is $30 or less per year. Good luck!
S.
Hi A.,
Have you thought about joining a play group? We have a play group that meets once a week if you are interested. Playgroups have been a life saver for me in keeping my VERY active 3 year old daughter busy. Also, we try and do at least one craft project a week, and she loves activities like flash cards, and cooking with me. Also, if you set up simple short activities that they can get to easily, such as books they can look at, pretend toys (food, clothes, dishes, etc.) that is helpful too. Finally, I try and take my daughter for a "treasure walk" every day. She takes her basket and we go for a short walk where she can look for and pick up "treasures" (rocks, sticks, etc.). If you are interested int he play group, let me know and I can send you more info. It is free.
Hi! Have you looked into Parks and Rec? They offer SO many classes, especially for your 3 year old. And their prices are SO reasonable. Also, if you check into it, you might be able to qualify for the discount program since you are now a one income household...there are 25%, 50%, 75%, or 90% discount programs. I have an almost three year old and we do an activity everyday through Parks and Rec. We love it! Also, there are some playgroups around town at some local gymnastics centers (Springs Gymnastics or Gymnastics World) where they open up the gym and for a small fee the kids get to just play! I hope that helps! Enjoy your time at home!
The park is always a great option in good weather. I was also reading an article in WonderTime that mentioned when the kids go to be set up something for them to play with when they wake up. For example set up all the animals from the farm and other things in a line like a parade. When the kids wake up they will be surprised and really play
Welcome back to the SAHM world. I'm not sure what part of town you are in, some of this stuff is in the east valley, but some works anywhere. First off, I know for me that physical activity everday is key to my boys not driving me nuts ( I have a 3yr old and an almost-1 yr old), so the park or tot lot near my house are almost daily events. Also, about every mall has an enclosed play area for small kids that works great when it gets hot. Consider joining a couple playgroups, you can check out craigslist.org and meetup.com to find some in your area. For special activities check out gocitykids.com, there are also places like toytown, Jeepers, Amazing Jakes, Pump it up, kids town, makutu's island, the kids museum, the zoo and the train park (you can google those to find the specifics). If you want to check out some inexpensive classes go to your local recreation center for preschool classes. There's also a magazine out called "The Parents Resource Guide" for about $5- I got mine at walmart- that has a lot of things listed like storytimes and kids plays listed. Hope this helps.
