Every day when my 2 year old is napping, I don't know what to do with my 4 year old. She's really tired, but refuses to nap or rest. She used to stay in her room listening to books on tape. I try and read books with her, color with her, and do other quite activities (never mind trying to do the stuff I NEED to do, like paying bills, making dinner, etc), but she's not very interested.
I try and spend about a 1/2 hour playing with her and the other time doing stuff I need to do.
I just feel like she is bored. And that makes me feel guilty. And then I feel angry because I never get anything done!
What do you do with your older kid while the little one naps?
i have a 3 1/4 yo girl that is EXACTLY the same way-- i am going to have to see what other ideas that everyone sends you cuz i'm looking for answers too. i feel completely lost as to how to keep her quiet during that time! Good luck!
Have you ever thought of asking her what she would like to do during that down time? I find that asking my children what they'd like to do makes them feel as if they are involved in their own activities. My daughter loves activity books so that is easy to do with her. So many things can be done during this down time. Try drawing! You say you're an artist so maybe teach your 4 year old somethign that you think she'd like to know about what mom does. Kids are sponges. They love everything that their parents do.
I have a little girl who is turning 4. She stopped taking naps when she turned 3. Not by my choice. She does have a brother to play with but he is outside all day mostly, so it's her an me and the little one. She likes to watch me cook, so that's a plus. She tries to help with laundry. I give her coloring books and movies and anything else I can think of. My daughter loves board games even if she doesn't know what to do. She makes it up. You can give her simple activities, like tell her to draw a story, things like that. DOn't know how much this helps, but I know what your going through.
Hi K.
My daughter loves to help us cook. Have her help you do what needs to be done. fold laundry, wash dishes, put stamps on the mail, lick the envelope.
