Daily Activities/ Routine for a Three Year Old

Can you possible enroll her in Preschool, even part-time?
That is what we did, when I was expecting my 2nd child.
My daughter, LOVED it very much, and she was "ready" for it... and mentally active/bright as well. It was good for her and it was her OWN thing.

Kids do not "have to" be "active" all day. In fact, having a time to do just nothing, and look up at the sky, is equally rewarding, and helps them mentally.

Sorry this is quick, but I have to get going....
All the best,
Susan

You usually do not need to KEEP a three yr. aol engaged and active all day. I've been around young children for years and if we don't disturb them they will stay busy, engaged and interested in what they find interesting! I'd take a look at bevbos.com for wonderful inspiration and insight into what young children need to learn and grow.

I find it sad how everyone thinks they need (or the child needs) to go to preschool. I have 3 kids: 5, 3, and 14 months. My oldest JUST started Kindergarten.
Go to Flylady.net for routines.
Someday, the kids won't be around anymore and you'll wonder where all the time went. NOW is the time to be with your kids.
I had nausea with every pregnancy and we all survived, together. My husband works 7 days a week, at least 6-12 hours a day.

Start routines and get rid of clutter and most importantly, BE with your kids!

Do you have the means for a preschool? If you can find one that is "enrichment based" instead of "college prep" I say that is the way to go!! Lots of field trips, messy art stuff (stuff that you would NEVER allow to happen in your own home) and songs, interaction with peers, etc. It is all good. Be sure to visit WITH the child, to see how they do with the vibe of the place. Kids are pretty intuitive, and what WE think is just great might not be perfect for what your child needs at that moment. Even if you just send her 2 or three days a week, it is worth it, and you can have a few hours with just the little ones. Your big one will come home tired (or else they can nap her at school, thereby giving you a couple more hours). Good luck and enjoy this time!

Have you considered preschool for your 3 year old? It is good for them socially and you are going to have your hands full when you have the new baby. Better to transition to school before the new one arrives.

Have you heard of the Pretend City Museum in Irvine?

I took my kids last week and ended up getting a year membership after I saw how busy they were for 4 hours straight! I also saw lots of other moms with newborns, breastfeeding, pregnant, etc... It is a great way to wear your 3 year old out too. Bring snacks!

Hope you like it as much as we did.

K.

I would also suggest enrolling her in preschool 2-3 mornings a week. My son started at age 2 because he is so active and his brain and body need to be engaged all the time. We were also expecting his little sister and I had SEVERE nausea and vomiting through my 7 month of pregnancy. So at 4 months of my pregnancy he started preschool. He thrived there and still loves it!

Is there anyone closeby that can babysit her for you for a couple of hours a day? Someone who can take her to the park or maybe to a parent and child type class during the time that you other child naps? That could be special Grandma or Grandpa time for her. Or maybe if you hubby can rearrange his work schedule, he can take her out for some special Daddy-Daughter time twice a week during that naptime? Sometimes my hubby would pick up my son from school at take him out for lunch or even to run an errand.

What we did when my son started phasing out his nap at age 3.5 years was to still have quiet time for him. My 2 yo daughter still naps from 1-3pm. I make my son have quiet time in his room from 1-2pm. Then he can come out and play quietly in the living room, watch some tv, play video games, go outside and play with me, or do some sort of indoor activity with me and I know that my daughter is well into her nap so a little noise won't bother her.

One thing that we did when he was a little younger was what we called the "Fun Jar". If he did his quiet time nicely, when he came out he could pick out something from the Fun Jar to do. I cut up strips of paper and wrote activities like:
play xbox games
paint outside
play with sidewalk chalk
Mommy reads a book
Pillow pile where we bring out all the pillows and jump and roll around on them
Set up a table fort with blankets and towels
have a special snack (candy, fruit snacks...stuff that he doesn't normally get)

Have you checked out the local Mommy & Me classes? They are a combo of parenting classes & preschool...you & your younger children are there also...but your 3 yr old will get to interact with other 3 year olds in a controlled setting. The ones in my area are $20.00 a SEMESTER!! If they meet Tuesday & Thursday mornings..there's your structure. When she is 4, it's 3x a week. It's pretty easy to build a schedule around the classes & it helps prepare you all for the days of "real" school around the corner. She will sing, do crafts, play games..you get the fun & stimulus of preschool with the fact that you are with them. Check with your local adult school for info..you are the student.

My oldest was also reading by 3, so I really wanted her to be in preschool, but I wasn't into dropping her off. I just wanted her to be able to do fun crafts & learn to relate to her peers, but I wanted to be there too. I also would't leave my younger girls with anyone else & the Mommy & Me lets you bring your younger kids & lets them participate if they are able. I don't know what area you live in, but if the local Adult School doesn't have Parenting Classes, some churches have something similar.