Saturday, June 30, 2012

Long Days

Having a child who needs line of sight, within hearing range, and sometimes within reach, 24/7 is tiring. It is not only tiring for me, it is tiring for her. The activity in the house moves from place to place with The Dad, with MK and she is stuck behind with me. She is always bored, crying and pouting that there is nothing to do. Her attention span is four or five minutes at best, unless she is in the pool, where she can last twenty to twenty-five minutes. We are working on a boredom jar, which is just a decorated container filled with things to do that take approximately fifteen to thirty minutes each. Some are fun, like painting, some are ok, like building with one of the five types of blocks we have, some are physical, like jumping on the trampoline for ten minutes and some are work, such as emptying the dishwasher or doing a sheet of math. When we have it finished, I will have the answer to the statement "There is nothing to do".

5 comments:

Giulia said...

Hello,
As Hope loves to swing, do you think that Hope would appreciate to listen to music ? It can be an activity she can have in her boredom jar.

Do you think she can get some books at her reading level (kindergarten if my memory does not fail to remember) ?


How is GB doing ?

Take care

Dawn said...

What a great idea. I know just what you are talking about.
Blessings, Dawn

Seven From Heaven said...

I like the boredom jar idea. Might have to give it a try.

Loosey said...

Maybe get some of those tacky slippers at Walmart that have the floor-cleaning bottoms? Have "skate-cleaning" as a boredom buster?
Duct tape and Swiffer cloths on cheap flipflops if you want to go full redneck.
Swiffer dusters without the stick and assignment to dust the baseboards would engage her core and the duster is fluffy and fun.
Lavender linen spray is harmless and the scent is soothing, you could have her wipe the counters or the bathroom tile with it; aromatherapy and boredom buster together.
"Keep a feather in the air without using your hands" is a good boredom buster and engages the core with deep breathing.
Can she follow a Pilates for Kids DVD?
It's probably too hot for "hug" underwear but does she have a weighted vest? If she has to do a lot of sitting, the weighted vest or blanket could help her center.
Life in the Grateful House's Brain Gyms sound like a good boredom buster too.
Stroking a minky blanket for an assigned time can be amazingly soothing. The assignment would be, stroke the blanket with your hands, then your arms, then your face, etc, until the whole body has gotten involved. I will make you one if you don't have one, you can use it for a tantrum wrap (time-in hug blanket) for sensory feedback...or line the papoose with it if you have help during a rage!

Loosey said...

Maybe get some of those tacky slippers at Walmart that have the floor-cleaning bottoms? Have "skate-cleaning" as a boredom buster?
Duct tape and Swiffer cloths on cheap flipflops if you want to go full redneck.
Swiffer dusters without the stick and assignment to dust the baseboards would engage her core and the duster is fluffy and fun.
Lavender linen spray is harmless and the scent is soothing, you could have her wipe the counters or the bathroom tile with it; aromatherapy and boredom buster together.
"Keep a feather in the air without using your hands" is a good boredom buster and engages the core with deep breathing.
Can she follow a Pilates for Kids DVD?
It's probably too hot for "hug" underwear but does she have a weighted vest? If she has to do a lot of sitting, the weighted vest or blanket could help her center.
Life in the Grateful House's Brain Gyms sound like a good boredom buster too.
Stroking a minky blanket for an assigned time can be amazingly soothing. The assignment would be, stroke the blanket with your hands, then your arms, then your face, etc, until the whole body has gotten involved. I will make you one if you don't have one, you can use it for a tantrum wrap (time-in hug blanket) for sensory feedback...or line the papoose with it if you have help during a rage!