Tag Archives: toddlers
Four Common Parenting Mistakes
The Go-To Mom discusses the four most common parenting mistakes you don’t want to make on an appearance of ABC’s “View From the Bay.”
For more great parenting tips, check out Kimberley’s book at www.TheGoToMomsGuide.com.
Fun Physical Indoor Games for Kids
When it’s so dang hot outdoors I have to come up with innovative ways to get my kids moving and grooving so that they get the appropriate exercise their little bodies need. First off, we go outside in the heat for only a little while and play with ice cube in a big bucket. Then we come in and set up safe obstacle course made of pillows, soft balls and toys. Luckily we have long hallways for which they can run up and down without knocking things down.
Fun Games to Play Indoors
1. Sharks and Alligators: Place mats or pillows all over the house and have kids jump from pillow to pillow to keep from getting snapped up by the sharks or allegators!
2. Hall-Way Toss: Have kids sit at each end of the hallway with a stash of soft balls. They can toss one at a time to eachother or throw all of the balls at once. Fun, crazy and wild!
3. Duck, duck, goose: Do I really need to explain this?
4. Pillow Relay Race: Have children stack pillows up to chest (so they can see) and have them race to see how many pillows drop on the way to the finish line. Or see how many times they can run back and forth without dropping the pillows.
5. Balloon Volleyball: Bat a balloon around and try to keep it off the floor, this is a great cardio exercise for kids and parents!
For more great parenting tips, check out Kimberley’s book, www.TheGoToMomsGuide.com.
The Runaway Toddler
Your little child could take off and run in the street at any given moment. Toddlers’ spur of the moment behavior could be quite dangerous. Now that you know that, it’s time to instill a safety plan when you’re out and about. Let your toddler know the rules. Tell him he needs to stay with you at all times and hold your hand until you get to your destination. If he lets go, let him know you will hold him until you’re there. Give him a choice – Mama can hold you or you can hold my hand. Giving choices empowers children. Let your toddler know that if she runs off too far, you’ll have to leave your play date. Most parents stay very close to their toddlers, but it’s so common that a toddler could take off in a split second without even the most diligent mom knowing. If this happens, gather your toddler, sit with her and talk to her at eye level. Let her know that you know it’s so fun to run around, but she can’t run away. If she runs away again, the natural consequence is you need to leave the park and go to a more contained area. Letting your children know you understand their desires is key. They’ll be less resistant. However, setting limits early is always a good precedent.
For more great parenting tips, check out Kimberley’s book, www.TheGoToMomsGuide.com.
