My son is 2.5 years old. I am looking for things to do this winter with him , I plan on crafts and activities with him at home but my procrastination habits kick in and he usually ends up watching cartoons on TV :( Do you have any suggestion for some classes that he could go to maybe twice a week for a couple hours? I don't want to send him to daycare/preschool yet because I am worried he will constantly fall sick(like he did at daycare last winter).We had an amazing summer, but winter is getting difficult. I do take him to mall etc but I have to accept I do not have lot of patience for toddler activities. As much as I love him, I would rather spend time on mamapedia instead ;) I feel very guilty about feeling this way as well :( So I am thinking a class would be better option for us. Any suggestions? Thanks :)
We did preschool at 24 months and my kids almost never, ever get sick. I just...can't imagine not having that option! :) It provided a break and was quality time for the child, too.
I did a TON of classes with my first. It was great. But now with so many little ones, it's too difficult. Hence, they do stuff without M.. But mama time is important, too!
Little gym or Gymboree play gym class
If you are indeed in Chicago-- WiggleWorms at Old Town School of Folks Music, I liked MyGym but also look into Little Gym and Gymboree. Don't forget to schedule outings, you have the best array of museums! Science and Industry, Field, Shedd, Children's at Navy Pier, DuPage children's museum in Naperville, WonderWorks in Oak Park, and Kohl's on the north shore (the suburb name escapes M. at the moment). Both zoos have indoor stuff too and be great visits in the winter. Enjoy, I miss that city!
There are lots of great ideas already. When my kids were that age I took them to stay-and-play, Y-Neighbours, library story time, and sign language class. I dropped them in the babysitting room at the YMCA so I could work out or go for a swim or sometimes just sit and read a book. I also figured out what time the local daycare took the kids to the playground to play, and went at the same time so my kids had lots of kids to play with. They took weekly swim lessons at the Y. We had memberships for the childrens museum and the zoo and went often. When they turned three they started pre-school three afternoons a week. It's pretty normal to not want to spend the entire day alone in the company of a toddler. You need to interact with other people and so does your child.
These were activities I did with my kids:
Gymboree-45 minute class with gross motor activity, social time with kids of the same age, singing, stories.
Kindermusic/Baby Maestro- 45 minute music class. Kids dance, learn fun songs and play with instruments.
Zoo membership
PE 101- kids can play on a zip line, rock wall, trampoline, foam pit, balance beam and assorted other gym equipment.
Children's museum membership- great place to go on hot days of summer or cold days of winter. Usually lots of fun activities related to science,art and free play.
MOPS- (mothers of preschoolers)-usually held at local churches. This is for moms to get together with other moms while the kids are cared for by other staff or volunteer moms.
Library story hour- most libraries will have other fun activities to go along with story time that involve crafts or educational opportunities. Check your library website for details.
Swimming classes- you can do a mom and M. class or sign your child up for lessons that go every day for a few weeks or once a week for an extended period of time.
Art museums usually have activities and workshops for kids.
Whole Foods grocery has cooking classes for kids
Parks and Recreation website should have some fun things to do year round.
Just google children activities in your area. You should be able to find lots of fun things to do in Chicago!
I also forgot to mention Mom's Day Out. It is like preschool but is only for a few hours in the morning or afternoon. My son started at 18 months and went until about age 3. He loved it. My daughter started at 12 months and transitioned well too. It was a great break in my week to have some time to myself. My daughter had more trouble with separation anxiety, so it was good for both of us to learn to be away from each other. She learned that I would always come back and it helped M. to tear myself away. It was hard, but now that she is older, she doesn't have trouble acclimating to new environments.
Good luck!
A.
I'd get a membership to the Chicago Children's Museum, which will also give you access to the Kohl's Children's Museum in Glenview, the DuPage C.M. in Naperville, and the Discovery Center in Rockford. That gives you several different options so that the same places don't get tired.
I'd also check to see if there are any Musikgarten classes in your area--most likely, yes.
We just started doing swimming lessons at the YMCA--I take my 19 month old to a parent-child swim class where he is learning how to be comfortable in the water; how to climb out of the pool; the importance of holding onto the sides; how to blow bubbles & be comfortable getting his face in there. If you're a member (family memberships are about $75/mo), an 8 week swim class is about $50. I have 3 kids, but hadn't done the classes with my older kids, and really wish that I had. My baby is going to be an independent and confident swimmer--my older kids need a lot of work at this point.
What does the Chicago Park District offer? There are usually great classes offered through the park districts.
I don't have a class idea, as I never took my son to any of those. Some fun things we do/did at 2.5:
- Library story time!
- make doggie treats (peanutbutter, oatmeal, flour, water: use rolling pin and cookie cutters. It's like playing with play-doh but you get to bake the treat and feed it to your dog or a friend's dog, which is fun for the kiddos too. PM M. for the recipe.
- playground! - let him play. you may meet a friend, or get some exercise playing with him!
Go to a Mother's Day out program. Many churches run them and they are for 1 or 2 days a week usually 9-2 or so. It is great for moms because you get some free time to run errands, take care of yourself, etc and it is great for the children because they start socializing, making friends, etc.
I uunderstand you don't want him in a daycare because you don't want him sick but at some point, he needs to be with other children to learn socialization skills, etc.
Other options are a music class like Kindermusic
Activity class involving gymnastics, etc
Our community Parks and Rec dept has great things for little ones to do with and without parents.
Remember that you need time as well to recharge so you can be the best mom you can be.
Have fun... they grow up WAY too fast.
Check with your local community center, and parks & recs department.
I cannot recommend Music Together enough. I did a lot of classes with the kids and this was by far the best. My Gym was also good. Also check out library story times.
I took my child to library reading time.
I found a toy store that held classes for that age. They are very loosely
called classes.
Google your rec or community center in your idea for free classes in your area. They will be the type you attend w/him but it's more fun than work and it's def more fun thn being home.
Look for free circulars by your grocery store that offer classes for kids.
Story time at the library
M. and M. swimming lessons
parent and tot class at local gymnastics gymnasium
drop in at play time at local community center
community centers usually have arts & crafts classes, sports classes etc for preschoolers
As for lack of patience...everyone needs a break. Why not schedule "quiet time" into your day? My preschooler has transitioned out of naps, but we have quiet time everyday after lunch, where we read books together for about 1/2 hr, then he looks through them on his own for another 15-20 minutes. I take that time to go online or play word games on my phone. I also get a "break" when his brother comes home from school. The boys watch a t.v. show together and have a snack, before they are ready to go again.
Don't feel guilty, I don't care what anyone says it is not healthy or "normal" to be completely fulfilled by spending every day, all day, alone with a toddler!!!
Try to find things that involve other moms, so YOU can make some friends too!
We did M. and M. stuff, like:
Kindergym, at the community center, similar to Gymboree but way cheaper.
Swim lessons (some cities have indoor pools for this during the winter.)
Story time once a week at the library, it was free and got us out of the house.
I took some classes at the community college and my son went to the childcare/preschool center there. It was only about 9 hours a week but we both loved it and I ended up making friends with some of the other moms which was awesome!
And of course we went to the park, the zoo and the beach, a LOT. With other moms and kids whenever possible.
Try to find out what's available through your local community center, rec program, YMCA, etc. and also look at local gymnastics places, pools, and other exercise type places.
You can also see if there are any MOPS or other mom's groups in your area.
Good luck! I know it's hard at first, but I'm sure soon you'll start meeting some people and that will help tremendously :-)
Look into Music Together (www.musictogether.com) for a great music program that I've done with both of my kids. The songs are great and you get two copies of the CD for each session, so you can listen to the songs at home or in the car.
You should also look into a gymnastics class or something to help him get the energy out. Look into local gymnastics centers or the community center for something to keep him moving and active. Some places even offer toddler basketball.
