S.a.h.m.

[Melbelle]

Aww I am looking for some fun activities to do with my 4yo that doesn't cost money, and I can do from home, cus my husband has the car in the day time.

 

[faithmom]

Son is in 1st grade now, but here are some of our B4 1st grade stuff, and summer stuff we do....there is more, but I'll stick to the "free" stuff (if it requires supplies, it isn't very free...right?)

Computer games on sites I agree to - the computer and web access are already paid for.

Ton's of art stuff....I always have paper, paints, crayons, pencils, etc on hand. Probably too much, both of my parents were art majors, so you can guess what a lot of Christmas and birthday gifts have included over the years for the kids.

Turn on the radio or put in a CD and DANCE!!!!!!! (keeps moms in shape too). And when he was tired, I would hold him and slow dance in circles to Brother IZ (Hawiian musician, passed away a while ago, he did that modern rendition of "Somewhere over the Rainbow" that you often hear on commercials now. His voice is beyond words.)

Savenger hunt nature stuff at parks and outside of the house. Glue them to paper to make your own "nature" collages later. I know...more art, but then you only pay for the paper and the glue (This is a great thing to do with pressing flower in books).

Hit anything baseball in the back yard....crumpled tin foil, paper, whatever you can find, and a stick. Make bases out of things like pot holders and plastic container tops.

Reading before naps....we did a lot of it! All 3 kids!

All of my kids also had to be a part of the chores as soon as they understood words well. Setting the table, making their beds, helping with shopping and putting away items....and that consumed plenty of time. I was and am still the TASK MISTRESS of this home! That takes up some of the days time on it's own.

On sick days, I admit we'd turn on the TV and vedge out together after I was done getting the rest of the work around the house done. I'd use the TV as insentive to get pedialite, Yogurt, diluted juice, apple sauce, rice, etc down.

Oh! And when my son begins being wild and running around the house, breakingthings, hurting himself, getting BOY CRAZY, it's time to take it outside, I've even told him to go run aroun the house 5 times...he usually comes up with something creative to play by the 2nd loop.

If you can't get outside, go back to the dancing thing.

I even had kids exercise videos on hand for when I needed to wear them out.

 

[-~Truth_N_Trust~-]

what about memory games? Like place 10 items on a tray, cover them up and see how many he can remember?
reading is awesome, stretch it out by asking him to draw his fav character/scene. Or if it's a picture book, ask him to read it to you from the pics!
Also, getting them to 'help' around the house, like they can pass you pegs for hanging out clothes, put some dishes away, push a vacuum/broom around, even helping me cook, like asking them to name/count vegetables, stir things (can make a great faster/slower game)...

 

[CoolMom6]

Yes, my 4 y.o. loves to help...lol. Usually makes the chore double for me, but hey...she'll make a good mom and wife one day!!!

 

[-~Truth_N_Trust~-]

Yeah, helping usually involves me standing over her and saying each step many times, then re-doing it later anyway! lol! though she is quite good with putting dishes away! But with cooking she always eats the carrot while I'm trying to cut it, how can I complain that she's filling up on carrot before dinner?!

 

[faithmom]

Amen

 

[CoolMom6]

Yeah, helping usually involves me standing over her and saying each step many times, then re-doing it later anyway! lol! though she is quite good with putting dishes away! But with cooking she always eats the carrot while I'm trying to cut it, how can I complain that she's filling up on carrot before dinner?!

Very true!!

 

[marezee]

you gals have great ideas for your children!

We do all of that as well. They will also ask me to play with them with their super heros, or playdough. Board games are also a good "time filler" but teach them good lessons like turn-taking and winning isn't everything.
In the winter, we do play outside...I bundle them all up and we go play in the snow...making snow angels and snowmen, and playing with their dump trucks and such.
Then when we get cold, we come in and drink hot cocoa and eat cookies!

 

[marezee]

Mare....hope you're having a good day! Haven't seen you, so I'm just leaving this here for when you get back.

Hugs!

thanks faithmom!

 

[faithmom]

You're welcome. My to do list is huge today, so I'll be back as soon as I can!

 

[Melbelle]

I think Seth is finaly learning He picked up the living room for me like I asked and then he brought 1 toy in here, and when he got done, he put it up and got 1 more... Its about time

 

[marezee]

I think Seth is finaly learning He picked up the living room for me like I asked and then he brought 1 toy in here, and when he got done, he put it up and got 1 more... Its about time

yay!! good for Seth (and mommy!)

 

[Melbelle]

I tell you my son is something else well first off, last night I went to brush my teeth for bed time, and it looked as though someone was playing in the bathroom he had placed my toothbrush and the whole tube of toothpaste in the tolit and decided to flush a few times, yeah it stoped my tolit up and over flowed so I am off to walmart in a bit to get me a new toothbrush and a tube of tooth paste, not to mention the tube and toothbrush were both pretty new .

Well its kinda funny now, but not so much, as I am sitting here, not wanting to open my mouth cus I fear my breath is horriable lol.

after all this, I was talking to seth, and he said "I like pink" well thats ok, he can like whatever color he wants to like, well I then said "I like pink too, I want to put pink streaks in my hair" he looked at me like then he proceeded "Why?" I said "Because I think it will be cool" he then looked at me with a relaxed look and said "Oh, I want to be cool too" I found this really funny and cute

 

[.chrys.]

Love that story!!

Ladies, I'd like to join this thread if you'll have me!

I'm a SAHM and have been so for the past 16+ years. I have a 16 year old daughter and a 12 year old son. I homeschool my son and twice a week I provide care for my 3 year old niece.

Anyway. I'd like to join, if you'll have me!!

 

[marezee]

constant witness! you can come on in anytime! you are definitely welcome!

Stephen, he's my 4yr old, he said to me today "mommy, people go to hospitals to get babies." i said "yes, some people go to the hospital to have a baby. but they also go when they are sick." Stephen said, "you went to the hospital three times." ( i have three children!) I said "you are right. i had three babies." Stephen said " and grandma went three times too." (my MIL had 3 sons) I said "that's right." then he said, "mommy, i saw grandma when i was in your belly. I looked out your belly button and saw her in the room!"
He cracks me up!

 

[-~Truth_N_Trust~-]

lol, wow! Thats a very creative boy you have there marezee!

 

[-~Truth_N_Trust~-]

my lil 2.5y/o is sitting behind me, playing a memory game, singing 'jesus loves me', is there anything sweeter?

 

[marezee]

my lil 2.5y/o is sitting behind me, playing a memory game, singing 'jesus loves me', is there anything sweeter?

that is sweet!

When my 2yr old Jake gets disciplined, he calls me a "poopy," and "the incredible hulk!"

 

[faithmom]

Hey mare... where'd you CF character go?

On "titles", my older daughter, who loves to read heavy historically based fiction (yes, at 10...LOL), and I have agreed that the appropriate title for me is


HEAD TASK-MISTRESS OF THE MANSION!

This comes from the fact that I delegate out duties and chores accordingly. It's my latest title, and I'm sticking to it!

 

[CoolMom6]

Hi everyone; hadn't read on this thread for a while, thanks to Faithmom for posting so I can come catch up (and laugh!!!)