Tuesday Toddler Tales

Ever since Madisen was a toddler she has loved clothes. Before kindergarten she would sneak clothes into a back pack where ever she went. She was always changing clothes, all day everyday. I tried hanging all of her clothes up high in the closet to keep her from getting them. Still that didn't work, I would still catch her trying to climb on something to reach them. Before you knew it here she would be wearing something different or just layers upon layers of clothes. I remember, one time I was in a rush to get her to a Dr.'s appointment. Late after driving across town I jump out of the car to get her out. Little did I imagine what I would find in the car seat. There she sat in a pajama top and a pair of shorts, hair all a mess. I just panicked in disbelief trying to get her descent enough to go in.
Well, most kids go through a stage and then it's done with. Well not Mady now at age 7 she is still doing this! Every day after school she raids her pantie drawer and heads for the closet. After cleaning all day it drives me crazy to peak in her room and see the drawers hanging out with clothes spewing out of them. Hangers and clothes all over the floor. While she's running around in outfit after outfit. By evening there's toys and clothes all over and you can't even see the floor. The next morning I can't even distinguish what's clean and what isn't. That is if she doesn't clean up the night before. If for some blessing she does then clean clothes are tossed in the laundry, while others are crammed in the closet hanging on to dear life on hangers. I can just see she is going to be the teenager girl I dread. She'll be one of those who leave the house and change while their at school. I don't know what I'm going to do with her? All I can say is Thank Goodness Jacob was a boy!

10 Ways the kids can help take some of the load off, giving you more time to relax.

Having your children help you will give them a sense of responsibility & maturity. It will teach them how to clean and show them the importance of keeping it clean. I know first hand how frustrating it can be when you want things done a certain way, and those little hands just don’t give you that result. That’s why I think you should limit their duties to very simple yet time consuming tasks.

1.Let them empty the dryer for you, putting all the clothes in a basket for you to fold. My girls pretend they are dump trucks and take little bits in the basket and dump them on the couch for me.
2.Give them easy things to put away after folding Ex; socks, underwear ect..
3.Leave them a pile of hangers and have them put the clothes on them. Then you’re only left to hang them in the proper place.
4.Dusting is very simple for young ones. Rag with spray and their good to go. Those little fingers can get in places you never knew dust even existed.
5.Have them help you carry in groceries.
6.After grocery shopping leave everything that goes in the fridge for them to do.
7.Make their beds but leave the pillows and stuffed animals .
8.When empting the dishwasher leave all the silverware for them.
9.After supper let them scrape off dishes and put back all fridge items.
10.Have them pick up all their dirty clothes and put in the basket.
Letting them do these little things from time to time will better their lives and yours. Yes, they are small but five minutes here and there adds up fast. If you’re like me by the time you sit down in the evening it’s 9 pm and you can barely keep your eyes open from exhaustion. I don’t know about you but I think it’s worth paying a quarter here and there for some free time.

Attention;

When using these concepts do expect your child to experience these phases at any given time:
Excitement Phase- The first time they are getting to do grownup stuff with Mommy. They’ll grin form ear to ear and can’t wait to hear the next step.
Complaining Phase- The whining begins as to “why do they have to”,”Do I have to?”, “How long” “why? Why? Why?
Toughing it out Phase- They’ll pout and walking around. Maybe crying for sympathy, mumble stuff behind your back...
Eager to please Phase- “Did I do a good job?”, “what else can I do?”, “Come look!”
Trained Phase- They do it regardless of anything.

In the end you’ll be surprised when they begin to do things without you asking.

With all the extra time this will save you can then use it to pamper yourself.

Homemade Bubble Bath Recipe

5 drops of fragrance
4 cups distilled water
1 cup Castille soap (or unscented shampoo)
1 ½ oz liquid glycerin (skin moisturizer) found in health food stores