When I was pregnant last year, I signed up online with Parents.com. I figured I could get great information about babies, maybe a freebie along the way for something I didn’t know I needed, and it would be a good resource in general. Well, that’s exactly what it has been – a wonderful resource full of how-to’s, what to do when, and more. I especially have enjoyed it because it sends me information that is pertinent to the age of my child, so I always know what’s coming. Teething, baby proofing, weaning, separation anxiety, to just name a few. I can “somewhat” prepare myself for these little stages, or at least read about them and feel half-way prepared.
In my most recent online newsletter that I received, there was a great article entitled “100 Ways to Keep Little Kids Happy.” I would highly recommend taking 5 minutes to look at it here. There are so many ideas to keep a kid busy and happy, which ultimately keeps Mom happy, right? One of my favorite ideas I read in this article was to keep a dry erase marker in your diaper bag or purse. Mom can give this to little ones to draw on the mirror in the dressing room, and Mom can actually try on clothes while the kids are occupied with their beautiful artwork. I thought it was a genius idea! Now, of course, make sure your kids don’t mark on the walls or the clothes or anything else that would be off-limits to markers. Or, in the car, bring along a cookie sheet and magnetic letters, and let your child make words, designs, play with the letters, really anything! Keeps the kids occupied while you try to get everyone from point A to point B.
If you read this article and it spurs some new ideas, feel free to make a post and share with the rest of us!