Daily Routine of a Toddler

We don't have a set schedule, except for lunch, nap, and dinner. They wake up, get dressed, and have breakfast usually between 7:30 and 8:30. We do random activities (color, read books, play outside, go to the store, mama's errands, sometimes watch a movie, go to a park, sing songs) in the morning. We have a gymnastics place near us that has an "open gym" two days a week, so sometimes we go there for $5 and then they run around. Lunch is usually about 11:30, and then nap at 12:30-1. When they wake from nap, they eat a snack and free-play by themselves. (Sometimes I have to prep them - blow up a balloon, get out the crayons, etc., but I use this time to prep dinner.) Dinner is between 5 and 6, then calm-down time with reading books or watching a show, before the bedtime routine begins.

For meals, my almost 3-yr-old is becoming pickier, but her favorites are PBJ sandwich, grilled cheese, quesodillas (with healthy stuff hidden inside), turkey sausage, beef hot dogs, and pasta with parmesean cheese sprinkled. We sometimes do the Tyson chicken breast strips or the Fisherboy fish sticks, but we try to stay away from too many of the processed frozen foods. She also likes beans, cheese, and any fruit. Sometimes for dinner, I slice up potatoes and toss them in olive oil with a little salt and pepper and bake them. The girls love them. I tried doing it with zucchini and squash too, but I can't get them quite as crispy, so they aren't as keen on those.

For snacks, they love the all-natural Cheetos, goldfish crackers, any fruit, saltine crackers, yogurt, applesauce, fruit strips (Target has organic, all natural fruit strips).

I've found that my toddler may reject a new food three or four times, but then the next time, she'll eat it. Keep offering "rejected" foods even if he appears to ignore them.

I like to take my daughter out of the house just about every day but it's for both our sanity!! We go to the park (early now because it's so hot out), the library for story time (they also do a craft after story time), Barnes & Nobles (usually on Tuesdays when they have story time too) to play with Thomas the Train, or just to take a walk around the neighborhood (again early because of the heat). We are going to check out the Children's Science Museum too but haven't done that yet. Hope this helps!

Our days are pretty busy but predictable. My kiddos (ages 2, 4, and 6) tend to behave better when there's a schedule, which we started when they were babies.

7:30 Breakfast (cereal, eggs, toast, nutrigrain bar w/ orange juice)
8:30 Brush teeth, get dressed
10ish Playgroup; Story time at Library; Music Class; Errands
11:30ish Lunch
1:30 Quiet Time for Older Kiddos (read books together/write in journal)/Nap time for 2 year old (read 2 stories chosen by her and sing)
3:30 Snack Time (fruit/goldfish/yogurt)
Play time;/Craft time (indoors or outdoors in our shaded courtyard)
6:00 Dinner Time
More Play time (usually board game that everyone can play)
7:00 Bath/Begin Bedtime Routine with youngest

**We usually go "out" of the house at least once a day....keeps everyone sane :) Whether it's running an errand, going to story time at local library or Barnes and Noble, play time at the mall (play, ride train, eat lunch), bubbles outside, playdoh, water fun in the blow up kiddie pools or with water guns.

Hope this helps!

My kids are older now and I can only remember what we did during the day. I had a strict schedule. After we ate breakfast we did SOMETHING out. Sometimes it was groceries, sometimes the library, sometimes Mommy and me classes, or errands. Home by 10:30 for rest or a nap, woke up for lunch then coloring, sidewalk chalk, exploring outside collecting leaves, acorns, played ball, another snack. Bath before dinner dinner, reading and bed. It kept me sane because my younger one CRAVED a schedule. Good luck! Those were some of my favorite days, enjoy them.

Dear 1st Time Mommy,

I too am a SAHM and I have a three and a half year old and a one and a half year old. I used to think that I would be better off if I got my 'stuff' done first, then take the girls out to burn off their energy. I always got stressed because they would bug me to go out to do something, and laundry, etc took longer with them being fussy.

So, now, we wake up, eat breakfast, shower and go out - maybe the park, errands, story time at Barnes and Noble, or the library, to the inside play area in the mall, anything - it doesn't have to be the outing of all outings. It just needs to be something that they enjoy. Most of the time, they would fall asleep on the way home, take a nap, then we would eat a late lunch when they woke up.

I nursed my daughters, so I am still in the feed on demand mode - we do not have a set lunch time. When they get hungry, I feed them..lol. PB&J on crackers (he may enjoy those since they are crunchy). My daughters love those new Wheat Thin crisps..not too bad for them either. My daughters snack more often then really sit down for a meal during the day, so I just keep lots of healthy snacks around, apples, raisins, yogurt - stuff your son is already eating. If it is good for them, and they like it, no worries...

As far as 'schooling', we just do the everyday life teaching - every thing is a learning experience at this age. If the weather permits, we go on walks and we call them treasure hunts - we search for pine cones, leaves, evidence of animals, rocks, whatever nature has to provide in your area. It is amazing how long a walk can become, time wise, and before you know it, it is time for lunch.

This doesn't happen everyday - some days are just 'lounge around and watch Disney channel' days.

There is no correct schedule to follow - do what works for you and your son and enjoy your time together!!
L.

We really don't go out too much. Its extremely hot here and playground equipment is too hot by 9 am and we don’t have the money to be going on all kinds of outings. I keep my neice now so its even harder now. Sometimes they go out back in the little blowup pool but not too often. I guess im a boring mom! When it cools down around october we will go out! As for lunch, I don't usually really cook per se. Its sandwiches (pnut butter& jelly or ham and cheese) mac& cheese, corndogs just easy stuff. They drink apple juice and have as much fruit as they want!