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-First, you have a newborn and you don't go anywhere because you are afraid they'll get sick.
-Then you realize just how easy it is to cart a baby everywhere so you start venturing out of the house again.
-But when your precious baby hits 5 months old and they are too big for their portable car seat, but too young to sit in a high chair or grocery cart, so you have to stop going places for a while.
-Finally, it gets better until they hit 20 months and refuse to sit anywhere for any length of time without screaming or dropping food so you once again are unable to eat in public for a few months.
Throw 1 or 2 more kids and their growth cycles in the mix and it's enough to make any mother never want to leave the house. But then you spend a few days cooped up with your kids in your house and realize that staying home might actually be worse than taking them out in public. (Or is all that just me?)
I love my kids and the opportunity I have to be a stay-at-home mom, but it hasn't always been easy to find that balance between staying home and getting out of the house. I've discovered that we can't stay home every day or we all go crazy. And we can't go and do something every day or we are simply exhausted. We need both quality home time and time out of the house every week. I try to look at our calendar every week and find one day to have fun with the boys.
We usually do something that does not involve running errands, but is just for them. We use our zoo membership, play at the park, go the library, go to the consignment store to buy a toy or play at a fast food playground. Most of those things are free or only cost us a few dollars. The library is probably my favorite because the boys and I love books. We have so many, but there are countless authors who we've never read that I love introducing the boys to. We actually don't do well at storytime. I've found that going one morning when the library isn't crowded and there aren't a lot of distractions is the best plan for two little boys. I also try to go early so that it isn't too close to lunch or naptime when they are more prone to meltdowns and loud fits. We also love to check out movies there. Our local library has a great children's collection of DVD's that are 100% free (if you return them on time.)
It's not always easy to take your kids places. We've had to walk out of the library empty-handed when we were throwing fits and not acting appropriately, but if you never go anywhere, you can never expect your kids to learn what behavior is acceptable. And who wants to be stuck inside all day everyday? Not me!
Where do you go for fun that's free or close to free?
What tips do you have for moms trying to teach their young kids how to behave in public places?
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4 comments:
Last week we went to the Dallas Museum of Art on the first Tuesday because it was free and they have a children's program that day. It was a lot of fun, but there were a ton of kids. Check local museums for free days!
We do the library, grocery store (very important lessons there!), produce market--it's outside, parks, swimming pools, beach,---just about everywhere! I have never subscribed to the staying inside philosophy--it would drive me mad!!
I agree! It's hard to find that balance sometimes. Thanks for the tip!
It IS really hard for me to find this balance, especially right now with a toddler and being in the 3rd trimester and that it is so darn hot outside. I like your goal of just one weekly fun excursion that is for them. When we do go out, it is usually on long walks, to the park, museums or thrift stores.
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