Friday, March 29, 2013

How to Have an AMAZING Day With an on the GO Toddler!


1) Start the day with lots of cuddles and kisses followed by coffee. Always coffee. The stronger the better.


2) Blow Bubbles. Forget that your kitchen floor will be spotted and speckled for the rest of day. Just enjoy the moment. Also, don't stress if your toddler dips the wand into the bubbles and then proceeds to lick it. He/She will live. I promise.



3) Head outside! Vitamin D is an amazing thing! It's been really cold here this Winter, so Liam and I have been doing the next best thing. We play in the spacious hallways of our apartment building. So, if you can't head outside break out the outdoor toys anyways and open the blinds to let in the Vitamin D! Just be careful golfing in the house.




4) Breathe! This is very important! So, maybe you found a tub of hummus on the toilet or your toddler just ripped pages from a book. Breathe! Sniff the hummus. If it's still smells okay and is cool to the touch then place it back in the refrigerator (on a higher shelf this time). As for the book, bring out the tape! If it can't be saved with tape then bring out the crayons. You now have a new coloring book.


5) Let your toddler get behind the lens! He/She always lets you take the pictures, so why not pose instead! You may get some VERY unflattering pictures, but you'll be laughing right along with your kiddo. You can always delete the shots of the inside of your nose!


6) Make a mess and then take a bath! Paint, eat with your hands or dig in the dirt. Just get messy and then enjoy a nice bubble bath afterwards. Both getting messy and cleaning up are so much fun! 



7) Let your little nugget help with the chores. I admit sometimes this can make an even bigger mess, but they LOVE to help. So, why not teach them how to do it the right way! I've found less toys in the trash now that I've shown Liam what DOES go in the trash. I may have also rewashed a few clean dishes, just because he stuck them in they dishwasher. It didn't hurt them and he was occupied while I did the dishes. I call that a Win-Win. 


8) Enjoy the quiet. When they sleep try to enjoy it! I'm not going to give you the old "Sleep when they sleep" advice. We all know that NEVER happens. I have way too much to do to sleep when Liam sleeps, but I do try and have at least a moment of peace. I try and just sit on the couch and enjoy the silence for a minute or two before it's on to something else. This is usually when I enjoy my second (or third) cup of coffee. Peace.


9) Find beauty in the small things. Whether it's your little ones laughter or the scribbles on the wall. Hey, it's ART, Mama! Maybe your kiddo brought you a flower at the park (or in my case rocks). Or maybe you found some crushed crayons in the parking lot (see below).  All of these can bring a smile to your face. Your entire day may not be sunshine and roses. It may be full of poo and tantrums, but there can be that one moment that makes the entire day worth it. Find that beautiful moment and at the end of the day hold on to it. You may reflect at the end of the day and realize that the whole day was full of lots of little moments. These little moments make up a beautiful life. Your life. 



10) Sleep.  The laundry can wait and so can that episode of Modern Family. You need to rest, because tomorrow you get to do it all over again! Sweet Dreams!



 





22 comments :

  1. Your day is full of positive energy and love! Happy to see your little one active and healthy! :-)

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    1. Thank you! I try my best to look at the positive! And he is most certainly active! :D

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  2. That is a great perspective and it's tough to stay positive sometimes. I like the idea of reflecting on some of the moments of the day b/c you're right - these are the days we'll want back when we wake-up one morning and our babies are in college! Thanks for this post. I'll try to keep it in mind as I tackle yet another day with 4-year-old twin boys!!

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    1. Twins! You must stay busy! You are very right...before we know it we'll wish they were still tugging at our shirts! Thank you for stopping by! :)

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  3. Some great advice here Momma! I love that you talked about letting them help with chores. I just did an entire post about that very topic. Oh....and my youngest is named Liam so I'm totally loving the name!!! Happy SITS Day!

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    1. Yay! Another Liam! Thank you! I honestly found that it was easier to do the chores (and other things), if I let him help! It may take a little longer, but it gets done. lol! I'll have to check out your post! I'm all about getting more advice. :)

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  4. Nice post. Toddlers are tiring and inspiring. I always tried to sleep when my toddler slept until there were two. Two never sleep at the same time. Of course when there are three, it follows that they also don't sleep at the same time. Enjoy your SITS Day.

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    1. That is an awesome way to put it...tiring and inspiring! When Liam was under one I slept when he did, but now I just have too much to do with my husband being gone. There are days that are just too draining and I have to sleep. lol Thank you for stopping by! :)

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  5. At least the hummus was on top of and not IN the toliet. My 13 m/o loves to drop toys in the potty. The other day my 3 y/o sat down to go potty. Good thing we looked before we flushed because her little sister had dropped a little doll in. My oldest still talks and giggles about 'peeing on the little girl!'

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    1. Haha! That's too funny! Liam must have picked up some of my personality, because he insists on putting the toilet lid down anytime it is left up. I will not complain about that. lol

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  6. The picture of him in the golf attire is TOO CUTE.

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    1. Thank you!!! He is a hat kid and he leaves them on too! :)

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  7. Great post! I remember those days. They will be over before you know it.

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    1. Thanks! I already feel like the days are fleeting! lol! Thanks for dropping by!

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  8. HAppy SITS Day!
    I love this post...
    I currently have a toddler and I can relate to everything you've posted here and then some.
    When he sleeps, I relax and watch my favorite shows or just read....
    I stop every single thing I'm doing and just chill..

    Keep it Touched,
    Khloe
    www.kgstyleblogs.com

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    1. Naptime is the best! I still feel compelled to do something while Liam sleeps, but I try and relax too! Thank you and thanks so much for commenting!

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  9. Those little moments are so special! You're right - the are part of what makes life beautiful!

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    1. They truly are! Thank you for stopping by! :)

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  10. It's so important to enjoy the little things and not stress about it all. I need to breathe a little bit more before I react. My downfall

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    1. I think we're all guilty of that! The best thing to do is just focus on the positive even when you do overreact! That's the biggest thing I've learned. :)

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  11. You are absolutely right! It's all about staying positive and enjoying every moment along the way. He is absolutely adorable! :)

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    1. Thank you! That is the best attitude to have! :)

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