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Anonymous
Anonymous asked in Pregnancy & ParentingToddler & Preschooler · 2 weeks ago

Parents, what do u do to keep ur only child occupied?

Single mom with a 7yr old. She gets bored soooo easily and I try to not have her watch too much TV. She can't always find children to play with. I do as much one on one play time as I can. How else do u guys keep ur kids occupy?

1 Answer

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  • 2 weeks ago

    I have a now 11-year old boy and I've done things like:

    1. Having toys and books on rotation so everything is not out at once, it's like discovering something new every few weeks. 

    2. When putting things on rotation, I always had something to build with and art/craft supplies available and accessible. 

    3. "Invitations" for exploration: put out the items to make something and let her experiment--- flour, salt, and water for play dough or glue, baking soda, and lens solution for slime... add mixing bowls, cups, and spoons. Food coloring is fun, glitter, etc. 

    4. Water play is something that kids of all ages tend to like, use a plastic storage bin or a shallow baking dish. Add things like ice, salt, bubbles, food coloring, small toys, water beads, etc. 

    5. You can find tons of ideas for projects that kids her age can do on their own, print out a few and let her choose something each day. I've seen a Lego challenge that gives a prompt each day for a month of something to build, you could create prompts for whatever she's interested in: drawing, painting, sculpting, building, writing, etc.

    6. Write out simple household chores on popsicle sticks and have her choose one everytime she says she's bored. 

    7. It's okay for her to be a little bored, that's how we learn how to become self-directed so also don't feel like you have to rescue her from having to figure out what to do on her own. I know there's heavy mom guilt when you've got an only child and sometimes they wind up alone. It's okay. Listen to her interests and encourage her to do things she's interested in... yes, sometimes that means you could wind up with craft paints spattered all over the garage (spin art using a power drill!) but it's okay. 

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