SELF-LOVE:
As Mother’s Day approaches, start to think about and talk to your partner about what you really want this year. Maybe it’s three hours of alone time in your home? Maybe it's to not cook or clean all day or have anything to do with bed time? Maybe it's to go to the park by yourself and read a book or talk to a friend? Maybe a family bike ride? Whatever it is, I can guarantee you'll be less disappointed at the end of the day if you take a few moments to identify what you really want and communicate these desires to your partner.
PARENTING TIP:
Leaving The House Take 3: Teacher Alexis suggests creating a little jar of ideas about where to go, modes of transportation, what you'll look for on your walk, etc. Each day have your child choose a paper from the jar. They'll feel more interested and involved in the decision making and therefore less resistant to the transition!
INDOOR ACTIVITY:
Curriculum Area (Social/Emotional): Here are some little service projects you and your child can do for neighborhood pets. Make homemade dog treats, or for older kids, sewing cat toys. Search dog treat recipes and cat toy DIY videos and hand deliver to someone's doorstep. Guaranteed to bring smiles and wagging tails!
OUTDOOR ACTIVITY: FISHING!
This has been entertaining Patrick for the past few days! Put some plastic fish or sea creatures in a bin of water. If you don't have any on hand, kids will be happy fishing for any small plastic toys. Add some paint to make the water murky. (This makes it more challenging but kids under 3 will probably enjoy without this step.) Give your child a strainer or slotted spoon and let the fun begin! This also turned into an exercise in grit as it is much harder than you would think! Encourage your child by saying, "Wow we are trying so hard and we haven't caught any fish yet...let's keep trying! It will be so fun when we finally catch one!" It gets a lot easier as they get the hang of it!