Hi Moms! I have 2 sons, 3 years and 9 months. They sometimes nap at the same time in the afternoon which is great, but in the AM my 9 mth old naps for about one hr and of course my 3 year old is awake. I am torn as to what to do during that time. I have so many things I could/should do, such as laundry, cleaning up around the house, prepping for lunch, etc. My 9 mth old is starting to become more mobile so I cannot leave him alone while doing these things. At the same time, I could use that one hour for one-on-one time with my 3 year old. What do you ladies do?? Ideally I split the time, first playing with my son and then doing what I need to. My 3 year old will play on his own when I am not home (but his dad is) but when I am home he always wants to be with me. I try to have him help me (putting clothes in the laundry basket, prepping ingredients for a meal...) but sometimes it's easier without him. Let me know how you deal. Thanks!
It may be easier to do laundry without your son, but then you can have one on one time with him as well as getting chores done. It is hitting two birds with one stone. They both need to get done so why not do it together. Besides this will get him ready when he is older to do gis laundry on his own.
I like your idea of having your 3 year old "help" with the chores, even though it would be easier without him. It's helping him learn, and he gets to be with Mommy, which is what he wants. You could also just set him up with a puzzle, craft, or a quiet toy near you while you are doing the stuff you need to do. My friend recently set up an area next to her kitchen where the kids can play, because she needs to get stuff done in there and also keep an eye on the kids. Do you have a small space that you could set up as his play area?
Just nap, too.
Or do nothing.
Both my kids still nap. In the afternoon. When my daughter is not in school or on break, they BOTH nap.... at the SAME time.
I then nap too... or do nothing. That is MY time.
Try to get your kids... to both nap in the afternoon at the SAME time. This would be your baby's 2nd or 3rd nap. Your 3 year olds, nap. Too.
That is what I did with both my kids, once I had 2 kids. My son as a baby would nap at least 3 times a day as an infant.
In the morning when your baby is napping... spend some time doing something with your son... and then what 'chores' you have. Incorporate him into that... it is also good for him to learn, about "Teamwork" and "helping" Mommy. But that is what you are already doing.... which is what many Moms do. And what I do too.
Spend it playing games and reading with your 3 year old, at least a hour of it. Next year he will probably go to pre school, the year after, Kindergarten. Spend what time one on one with him now because it is time you will never get back. Housework will always be there but the boys won't.
I used that time to work out with my older one (he was closer to 2 1/2 when my little one was 9 months). He loved to try to follow workout DVDs with me and it was just the half hour I needed to get all sweaty and stay in shape. The rest of the time I probably ended up doing stuff with him around, just playing off his mood and needs day to day. My time with the kids is usually at the end of my work day while my husband works evenings, so I end up saving more chores for the weekend when I'm home all day.
Since your little guy is going to go down to one nap a day very soon I would spend the time with the older boy while you have a chance to give him that one on one time. He can paint, color, read with you, do some puzzles, anything that would not require lots of noise. Play dough, toys that the baby can't be around like hot wheels, legos, and other smallish things could come out at this time too.
For us when J went down for his nap it was Barbies and Polly Pockets. All those choke hazard toys that had to be kept up unless the little guy was out of reach.
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hmmm... sometimes I take a nap too.
But what I usually do, is rotate on a schedule. On say, Tues and Thursdays you can do a little preschool and one on one time with your 3 year old, then the other days you catch up on laundry/meal prepping, your 3 year old can help you out, it will be a bonding experience.
