6 Tips for Getting Things Done with a Toddler

Toddler (n.)

Emotionally unstable pint-sized dictator with the uncanny ability to know exactly how far to push you towards utter insanity before reverting to a lovable cuddle monster.

I wish I knew who came up with this definition, but it is pretty spot-on. Despite its challenges, this age is definitely my favorite by far. My 3 year old, Emily, is one of the most caring, helpful, compassionate people I know! She is so concerned about others’ well being, she actually will tear up if you are hurt. With that being said, I think she is such a blessing of a toddler to help raise – she does have some toddler-like attributes, though!

Someone recently asked me if I could share some tips on getting things done with a 3 year old in tow, so I thought I would share what I have found to work with Emily. Now, don’t get me wrong, a solid child care setup is in place for days when I just know she would much rather play with her cousin than help me build or renovate something, but when she does choose to stay home with me, we definitely make progress!

So, what do I do to keep her entertained while I am working?

Set Up Play Stations

I have set up so many different play stations for her – not the video game console! I try to set up stations of play where she can exercise her creativity through pretending, where she can improve her motor skills by tricycling or running, etc. The key here is that you do not break them all out at once! Then, the new play station is not new and exciting, it’s been out all day long and is boring.

Some things that have worked for me:

• Tricycle obstacle course
• Chalk letter/number challenges or just letting her free style
• Finger painting on a cardboard box
• Kiddie pool with her baby dolls – their own “beach day”
• Play house with a sink full of dishes – she “cooks” for me and then she cleans up the kitchen (her own play one).

Create a Scavenger Hunt

This one takes a bit of planning out beforehand – I take a variety of things and hide them throughout the yard. Some things I bury and mark it with an “X”. Other things I hide in places that are not that difficult to find, but make her look a little outside of her normal line of vision – like up on top of something or inside of her play house. Then, I tell her I have hidden a certain number of things and she has to go find them – I give her a few hints that she has to come run back for and then she brings them and lines them up, counting them out as she finds them. She loves this one.

Give Her a Job

She likes to feel like she is a big girl these days and with that comes responsibilities, right? She is very proud when she can handle “big girl” responsibilities on her own, so I give her little jobs to do throughout the day. In the morning, I ask her to feed the dogs. She is absolutely in love with our dogs, so any job related to taking care of them is so exciting for her. She’s brushed them, walked them around the yard, tried to teach them tricks, and more. Other jobs I have given her to do are simple things like cleaning up her room in exchange for a reward (typically food related), helping to water the plants (another job she loves), and picking up her toys in the yard so Lola (the Golden Retriever puppy) doesn’t eat them up.

Let Her Help Me

She is a helper by nature, and she wants in on the action! Of course, building or renovating things involves many dangerous tools that she is NOT allowed to touch until she is much, much older. However, I do let her help me with some small aspects of my projects. She can bring me small boards, help me with the measuring tape, helps me choose which boards will go where, helps me to paint, and once I helped her to drill a pocket hole or two (under strict supervision). She typically gets bored with this much quicker than the other tricks I deploy, but it is still in my rotation!

Take Plenty of Snack Breaks

This is so important – the term “HANGRY” exists for a reason. Toddlers get that big time! I make sure we have plenty of water and the occasional juice box, but take regular snack and lunch breaks. We have our breakfast, then a morning snack break with a cucumber or some fruit. Next up, lunch break – we head inside and I heat up our leftovers or make her a sandwich and we both eat together. A few hours later is the afternoon snack #1 – this time I usually spring for a more filling snack like cheese/crackers, etc. Snack #2 comes around 4:30 pm, and it’s light because dinner is coming up around 6:30 pm. Usually it’s that last snack break where we call it a day, sometimes before – see the next very important tip.

Respect Her Limits

Some days, she is good to go all day long with this type of entertainment. Other days, she needs more interaction, love, cuddles, attention, etc. There comes a time during the day where I can tell she is not having it anymore and that is when I decide to stop. I always make sure I tell her how proud I am of her patience and help and then ask her what she wants to do. Usually, it is swinging or playing inside with me. So, I wrap it up and focus on her the rest of the day. I don’t push past that limit of hers because I know, from experience, it does not end well. I can tell when I am approaching that limit by her level of whining and grumpiness. When she starts being pretty defiant, I know it’s time to stop!

Having a toddler in tow doesn’t mean you can’t get anything at all done – it just means you have to get creative and remember who you are dealing with. Share this with your friends if it at all seemed interesting! 🙂

What are some of your go-to strategies for getting things done with your kids?