How to Occupy an Almost 3-Year Old

I had a similar problem with my daughter at that age. I actually had her come along and start helping me more with laundry, dishes, etc. It was my husbands idea and because she wanted to be close and learn how to do "big girl" stuff, she loved it. It takes more time to complete some tasks with her helping me, but she is learning also. She would usually get bored half way through and would be content finding something to do on her own.

Just a thought...:) I hope it helps.

That sounds exactly like my daughter!! Only difference is that she is now 4. If you come up with anything, let me know. I sometimes think maybe we've done so much that they can't sit still and just want to keep going. I take my daughter to story time at the library, go to the park (sometimes for up to 3 hours because she doesn't want to go just yet), I used to take her to craft time at Michaels. We sometimes go to McDonalds for a fun lunch and she plays for a long time too. Zoo, Desert Museum etc. It's nice that they just don't sit and watch TV but boy it is super hard to get things done. (I used to be a manager for 2 physicians and a physician's assistant and this sure is harder!! I do enjoy it more though and wouldn't trade it-what job can we have more challenging yet more fun and with great perks:). Some of her friends maybe get frazzled with her as she can go from playing in her room, to maybe wathing a movie, to going outside to ride bikes, to coloring. She is a busy bee and it's all day. She gets tired but she seems to not want to miss anything. Lots of times I give up and play, other times I really try to make her understand that there is a time for play and time to do housework. She does help with laundry, sweeping, she tries to scrub the bathroom. It is short lived but they are little and really, who loves housework. I tell her that if she just lets me clean I be done that much faster and that I can then play with her. (It's harder for you as you have two). Sometimes too, I'll ask a friend to take her (and vise versa) and try to get all my cleaning done. Or do some when my husband gets home from work or try to maybe do it on weekends. Sounds easier on this email but really it is a challenge. I'm lucky enough that my husband is understanding to this and prefers that I have time with my daughter. Plus in a year she'll be going to kinder. Good luck to you.
M.

My daughter was the same way. She saw me doing some scrapbooking and was very interested. I thought it would end up being a huge mess if I let her do this but I was wrong. I set her little table up in my scraproom, cut out shapes with my hole punches and give her glue stick with paper. I fold the paper in half to resemble a card and ask who she wants to make a card for. She glues those pieces down all over the paper and when there is no space left I give her another one. She loves this! If I can be right next to her I will give her crayons and washable markers that she can draw with but she usually prefers the glueing part. :-)

I also will give her the duster and let her dust the living room. I tell her things that need to be dusted and she wipes them down. I always watch her for a minute and totally praise the work she is doing and she gets so excited. That will keep her busy for a little while. I have found that nothing will capture her attention longer than if I or someone else is with her. So, I just make sure I have lots of different things she can work on.

If there is nothing I will ask her to play or watch a show real good (while I clean a bathroom or something-I check on her too and remind her to be good to get her reward) and when mommy comes to get her she can do a project, play outside, dust or whatever else she is into (pick one). That usually gets her to be really good and I always give her what she earned. This does cause breaks between cleaning/etc. but she is usually much happier and goes down for her nap/bedtime like a champ. :-)

Good luck!

Hi A.,
After my son began walking, I started having him, "help" with chores. He got attention, and I got things done.

Today he's 3 and will vaccuum (real vaccuming, not pretend any more) for 10 minutes; put dishes in the dishwasher; pick up toys in his room; help me water the tomatoes in the garden; and pull laundry out of the dryer, and help me sort and put it away.
T

I am also a SAHM of a 2-1/2 year old . I think at this age they go through a VERY needy/clingy stage as they begin to be expected to do more on their own. I think my normally outgoing and vivacious daughter gets a little scared of all of the big changes and wants more mommy time so when I'm in the kitchen I will set her up at the table with a project. Either play-doh and accessories or her easel and paint. Or sometimes I just give her a big roasting pan with a small bowl of water and a small bowl of flour in it and a few safe kitchen tools and let her create her own concoctions. It usually keeps her occupied for at least an hour (more with play-doh). Good luck!

My daughter is bored at home and she is only 18 months old. She loves to be on the go. Maybe the events you are doing outside the house are not stimulating her enough.

I host on meetup.com, it is twist to the normal playgroup. Check it out... http://playgroup.meetup.com/1101/

Hi A.,

My four year old quit taking naps around 3 and I told her that she could either take a nap or play in her room or outside. I do not play with her at all during this time. My 1 year old naps during that time also, and it gives me some time to myself. She knows that if she comes out of her room or inside, she will then have to go take a nap which she does NOT want to do! I have to remind her at the beginning of that time but after I do remind her she plays by herself. I think it is critical for her to learn to entertain herself for periods of time. If for nothing else but to give you a break. Good luck and I'm sure you'll get plenty of good ideas on here.

K.

My oldest son got hooked on puzzles- first we did the 12 piece ones,then increased to 50-100 pieces.(Try different kinds)He got SO excited about them that he could do 100 piece puzzles at age 3- okay, he wasn't potty trained, but he could do 100 piece puzzles! Crazy, huh?!
Anyway, he entertained himself for hours this way, and of course I occasionally helped him find a piece or two, but it was such a blessing with a one yr old and another baby on the way!
Good luck.
Toni

Wow, you sound just like me! I have an almost 2.5 year old that sounds just like your older one and an 11 month old who is the calmest, happiest baby on the planet!
I also have trouble entertaining our older one. She is very needy and everything you mentioned about your daughter is just like mine. In fact, she's clinging to me right now!
One thing that I found that she enjoys, and keeps her entertained for more than 2 minutes, is pretend cooking. I pull up a chair at the counter and give her a bowl, spoon, and "ingredients" like flour, salt, marshmallows, anything cheap really. Then she makes me stuff.
But...that lasts 15 minutes at the MOST and it's back to having to entertain her.
Our daughter is very advanced in age and I "quiz" her a lot as a means of something to do. Like I'll count to 4 and ask her what number is next. Same with the alphabet.
Have you bought her any board games yet? She's probably old enough to play a modified game of candy land or something like that.
Since she has trouble staying occupied for long periods of time, just don't stress yourself out about it. Just have LOTS for her to do. Make a list when you have a spare minute (ha ha) of ALL the things you can do. Make playdough (the making the playdough part is one thing to do and the playing with it is another thing to do), read books, watch 5 minutes of TV, color, etc. Come up with LOTS of stuff. Then, when she is bored, you have a handy list right there to reference instead of having to think.
Now that I thought of the idea about the list, maybe I should do it for myself!
Good luck and hang in there!

A little more...now that I thought of it. Not to worry you, but we have had help from a psychologist for our daughter. I'm not sure what realm of not being able to be occupied she is in, but our daughter's psychologist told us just to keep an eye on her due to the possibility of family history, of AD/HD and/or Bipolar Disorder. So I don't want to scare you or have you run to a professional, but if you feel your daughter's attention span and clingy-ness is out of the "normal" range for kids her age, you might want to look into it.

Hi A., believe me most moms share your frustration!!! What has saved me is the computer. I have 2 set up with fun games, stories and/or activities. At about 2 1/2yrs I start helping them with the mouse and by 3 they have the ability to maneuver it. TV doesn't work with some because they get bored with the commercials. I would try short 15 - 25 min entertaining videos/DVD's. That's worked for mine. I involve them in a lot of crafts and let them make a mess. I plan in the morning early and have activities throughout the day. Coloring, painting, playdoh, blocks etc. Almost 3 yr. olds love to learn how to cut. I give them safe scissors and a magazine. If they can complete an activity alone they are rewarded with another fun activity. Some kids need to be patiently taught to be independent. It takes some time but the rewards are priceless. I have 4 children and one on the way. I'm 4 months pregnant and mostly a SAHM. We have a family business so I'm pretty much on my own schedule. My youngest @ the present are twins, 4 yrs old.

My daughter is two and is the same way. She does not play independently well. She follows me around the house constantly. I put her in her room one or two times a day for 1/2 hour at a time. She has access to toys, so she is forced to stay in her room and entertain herself. I have childproof handles on the inside of the door so she is not able to let herself out. It helps her learn to play on her own and gives her and her brother a break from eachother. Other than that, I have no idea. Good luck. I am looking forward to reading the rest of your comments, because I could sure you the help myself.

When my boy was a lot younger, I set up safe areas in the kitchen (plastics cupboard with a few saucepan lids) especially for him to have whilst I was in the kitchen.

Also, if you make some home made toys or musical instruments, they too will go down a treat!

Enjoy

J.