SAHM of 2 year old twins wondering what other mums do

[Bengal]

At this stage, I'm lucky enough to be able to stay home with our twins.

We go to kinder gym, one day a week, and twin play group the other .

We used to fill in one morning with grocery shopping, which they enjoy, however little tanties are making that quite difficult.

I feel quite a pressure (brought on by myself) that I'm the primary early educator for our cherubs, so I'm always mindful of that when I plan the days learning activities.

All is going well (touch wood) I wonder however how many hours you spend with your toddlers in structured play ? Mine will happily have independent play with each other, for ages !

I think particularly Messy play is one I think my toddlers are missing out on, as it takes me forever to change the linen, let alone a painting easel !

How much 'actual' time do you sit and play with your toddlers ?

[PumpkinZulu]

Mine are of the age now where they need pretty strict supervision; otherwise they get into fights with each other, or mischief together. I'd say maybe, 7 hours out of a 10 hour day (at home, no errands or shopping etc) is spent actively playing with them, overseeing activities like drawing, playdough, painting, dancing. The rest is cooking meals, preparing everyone for the day etc. I don't really have down time until the kids are asleep, by which time I'm buggered. At least mobile facebook is easily accessible lol!

[TeniBear]

I struggle to come up with new activities. Or even old ones - Miss A goes through paint like nobody's business, for example. I have the tv on way too much for my own liking, but can never seem to come up with ideas :-/ I used to imagine I'd be the type to spend hours upon hours playing with my kids, but it just doesn't happen. I need to get on that...

[emmjayt]

I still can't believe they are 2. It's just flown. Messy play is very unstructured here - DD chases DH around the garden while he's watering and waters whatever takes her fancy. Today it was the cat. Can you get a pair of puddle suits for them and let them loose with shaving cream? That has been a real hit at our playgroup and any kind of water play. When I'm on the laptop I'll PM you a link to some toddler busy bags you can make up - I'll be doing some for Miss L this week for some more structured independent play

[emmjayt]

Oh, and Woolworths have big things of chalk at the moment - a massive hit here

[wysiwyg]

Very little in what I would call 'structured play' - maybe an hour if that on days I am not working. That doesn't include reading to them. I like to let them do what they want within reason. DS 2.5 is much better at amusing himself on his own than DD 4.5 is - she is ok when he is about as has someone to play her role plays with but if she is on her own she tends to want to do be 'creating' some sort of craft activity that generally involves me trying to help by following her instructions and failing. 2 year olds I don't really think need structured play, they just need to play, and for you to be involved if they need you to, maybe to suggest activities by leaving out blocks or whatever - but actual full on you playing with them I don't think they need very much. If they want me to be the patient while they play doctors, or to play cafes etc I will but I don't think there is such a thing as too much independent play. I look at what they do at daycare, and even for the two year olds, they have certain toys out and might have a theme, but for the majority of the day the children choose what they want to do and play how they like with some supervision and guidance. I also think back to when I was a child, and so many children were at home with their parents (usually mums) the mums weren't all thinking in terms of education - the children were just learning through normal living.

To me if yours are playing happily together independently for lots of time - that sounds like you are doing a good job.

(This is a bit in the future for you, but something I have recently heard from a few people who have been to school readiness presentations, is that one of the key things for children to be able to do before they start school is to be able to entertain themselves and not rely on grownups for providing things to do etc.)

[Bengal]

Thank you for relying . I feel all is well after reading your posts. I worry too much! these
Monkeys are getting just what they need.
I bring out different activity tubs each day, and a play at the park and in our yard , they love library time and visiting
Friends, so when they need me for structured play I'm all theirs , otherwise just let them play together

[Santosha]

Exactly what Wysiwyg said. Sounds like you're doing a brilliant job.

[trishalishous]

When I was at home, our weeks went
M - swimming lessons/toddler gym, reading in the arvo
T - Play in the park, outdoors/messy play at home
W - Playgroup, reading in the arvo
T - rhyme time, playing outdoors/messy play/colouring
F - Mainly music/rhyme time, shopping, lunch in town, play at park
S - Swimming, family lunch, hyper play in the arvo
S - Rest
IF we did lots of exercise in the morning, the arvos were quiet.

[Baby Dreamtime]

Hi Hun, my girls are 4 now and with DS in the mix it is pretty hectic. I have deliberated a lot about this topic. I too think of it as I am very very fortunate to be able to stay at home. When I say that it still means I work 3 days in our business and kids are in day care 3 days from about 9 to 3:30. On the other days we have swimming and playgroup and shopping. I'm struggling with the fact that sometimes the days I have them I'm doing bits in the computer and studying this year too. I have to keep reminding myself that they and I are so fortunate that at least we are together even if at times I have to be distracted. I think day care is awesome and has really broadened their out look but I know they prefer to be with me. Maybe rambling now. Just wanted to say you are doing an awesome job. Xx

[caz18b]

I try to aim for one outside activity and one structured indoor activity a day. Www.MyBoredToddler.com has some good activity ideas.