Keeping the kiddos entertained while you work | Bliss Goodloe

Business Mommy Monday by Bliss Goodloe

I dunno about anyone else, but I struggle with finding new ways that keep my two kiddos entertained while I try to get work done during the day. Before I started looking into new activities, I would go the easy route and pick up a new disney movie for them to watch or a new toy, but everyone with a small business knows that money adds up quickly! So, for the past few months I’ve been trying to come up with new and inventive ways to get my three year old to sit still and have fun while I’m busy editing, networking or answering emails.

Some of these are a little hands on, but if you’re like me, you like to take some breaks during the day and interact with your kiddos. You don’t want to just sit them down and leave them be for too long, because lets face it, that’s not possible with kids younger than five years old. And if you’re like me, you kind of start to feel guilty if you’re glued to your computer screen for too long.

1. If you have a laptop, which most of us do, spend a couple hours taking the kiddos to the park! You can still spend time editing while watching them play. The park is a good way for them to get exercise and it will wear them out for nap or bed time later!

2. Make some homemade sidewalk chalk and let them play outside! Here’s an easy way to DIY your own chalk without having to spend more than a few bucks on ingredients: http:// www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/815073/how-to-make-sidewalk-chalk-1

3. Take an afternoon twice a week to make crafts! Not only will they have fun making something like a sock puppet or paper butterflies, but they’ll also spend another couple hours playing with them! Here’s a neat website I found with craft ideas for kids: http:// familyfun.go.com/summer/summer-crafts/summer-craft-ideas-gallery-857867/

4. If you like to plan ahead, especially if you are having to run errands with your kiddos, having a Kid Kit is a really good idea! It’s their very own go-bag with neat activities inside, so when you leave the house they have their bag in tow! Here’s an Etsy seller that offers them, but you can also create your own: http://www.etsy.com/listing/78211294/special-offer-extra-activity- booklet-w?ref=sr_gallery_20&ga_search_query=kid +activity&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_min=0&ga_max=0&ga_search_type= handmade

5. If Daddy has some free time, encourage him to build a fort with things lying in the garage or around the house with the kids! A good fort is the perfect hideaway for kids and gives them hours of play time! When I was growing up I spent more time outside than I did inside, so take a couple hours out of your day and put together a great fort in the back yard for the kiddos! Here’s a little how-to guide I found online that might help: http://familyfun.go.com/ summer/backyard-activities/backyard-forts-structures/the-perfect-fort-709042/

6. For one lunch time per week, do I picnic lunch for the kiddos! Let them help make the sandwiches and put chips, carrots and celery into baggies and help pack up a basket in the morning when they get up. Then by lunch time the anticipation has built up and they’ll be super excited to head out into the back yard, spread out a colorful quilt and grab a bite to eat with you during your own lunch break! You can always surprise them with the basket as well, not letting them know it’s coming is half the fun!