Sorry for the dual comments yesterday which might lead one to believe I am anti-Christian. I’m totally not; I do have issues with some streaks of fundamentalism though. Montessori fundamentalism among them.
As a round up here on the last day of work before the holidays are some things I have learned about toddlers, and about parenting and working ft out of the home:
- change your clothes the minute you walk in the door.
- one of the best parenting tools for 2 year olds is the “one finger touch”
- if you make it out of the house without “washable” (okay, they really are, except you can’t wipe them out of fabric easily in the car) marker on you, it’s a banner day
- scrambled eggs with veggies, toast, and a glass of milk really is a well-rounded dinner now and then.
- regardless of what you do not have, with the possible exception of toilet paper, DO NOT stop at a store after daycare. Just don’t.
- If it’s toilet paper, stop on the way TO daycare.
- 15 minutes of play, before starting dinner, before checking the phone messages, before anything else EXCEPT, see above, changing clothes, pays back in hours at bedtime
- toddler chat is the best at bedtime. “My ATE my dinner.” (pause) “My put food in my MOUTH” (pause) “My food in my TUMMY” (pause, during which sensible adult will not laugh in anticipation) “My POO!” Ah, the scientific education of the young child.
- Never leave without a kiss goodbye
