All kids are active but do you ever find yourself completely exhausted by 3:00 pm while your kids are climbing all over the house?
This is after you have taken them to the playground, gone the children’s museum, had a playdate, read 12 books, dug a hole in the sandbox, baked some cookies and ran errands…
Sometimes when we get together with friends, I hear repeatedly, “Wow! Your kids are energetic.”
Here are some strategies we have found helpful when we feel like the our kid’s activity levels exceed our own.
Channel the energy
Find ways to allow your child to get that energy out!
My son wanted to use a paintbrush to poke holes in the wall (yes, really…). I quickly suggested the wall did not like being poked and pulled out clay to let him poke his heart out. My little guy likes mashing food all over his high chair tray. I squirt some washable (edible) paint on the tray, put a large bib on him and let him mash out his little sensory needs until he is disgusted with the paint on his hands and has it all through his hair. The best “channeling” we have done is productive around the house: put the laundry in the basket and take it to your room, toss these toys into that basket, “wash” your cars and trucks in this bucket of water. They enjoy taking on active roles in the household and we enjoy getting some of the work “done”…
Go Outside
It can be drizzling, overcast, chilly, windy…whatever. When my older son repeatedly jumps from the couch to the chair in our living room and my younger son climbs onto the dining room table, it is clear we need fresh air.
We love to walk to the park, scooter, climb, dig holes in the backyard, toss a ball around, do jumping jacks, jump on a trampoline, etc! Activities that allow for pushing, pulling, throwing, and lifting are the best for getting out my kids’ energy. Find productive ways to use this energy: weeding a garden, digging holes to plant seeds, sweeping, moving outdoor furniture, pulling a wagon. If outdoor play just isn’t possible, try to find an indoor space your kid can get out those gross motor needs: climbing stairs at the mall, a gym class, or a restaurant with an indoor play area to name a few.
Organization
I am not talking about “everything in its place” type organizing, but here me out…
Finding ways to minimize the amount of time you have to spend on activities that take you away from tending to your child’s energy, is worth the investment. Some very helpful ideas I have heard: make meals the night before, keep larger meals simpler (crock pots are gifts from the busy parent gods), prep the coffee the night before, pack snacks and bags for outings the night before…
Exercise
This one can be tough as it is a personal choice, but the endorphins and energy you get from a workout can be most helpful when you reach that 3:00 let down.
Keep it simple and doable: a walk after dinner each night, an at-home DVD program, a jog with kids in tow, a favorite local class (if you have a partner or friend willing to take on childcare), a child-friendly class. Even if you fall asleep with the kids dragging toilet paper all over the living room and dinner burning in the oven, at least you will be doing something positive for your mind and body.
A Break
Whether it is twenty minutes reading, a meal without children, an evening out with your partner and/or friends, you need breaks. Breaks are important for you to process the day and focusing on a little me time. Find a way to get one. You are a superhero, but you need a chance to rest so you can keep up with those mini-superhero activity levels.
Coffee
Ok, I am not going to come right out and recommend any sort of drug use, but a good mid-day cup of joe is a habit I have picked up since I became a parent.
It is usually lukewarm and I often forget where I put it down when I have to pull my little one down from the bookcase he climbs, but it makes me smile and keeps me going. Whether your pick-me-up is caffeine or something else, enjoy your little treat.
At the end of the day, all kids and parents have their challenging moments. You can usually tell the parents with the extra active kids when they are passed out on the couch by 8:30.
How do you get through the day with your active child?
Tove Maren says
I wholeheartedly agree – COFFEE… and breaks. They are all necessary. Last weekend I really wanted to get away to get a pedicure – but it just wasn’t happening. So I grabbed my supplies and sat on the back porch ALONE for 10 minutes and soaked my feet… it was heaven. (now I am day dreaming of doing that again)
Katie Joiner says
I hope you got the chance to do it again, Tove! 🙂