| In today's world, parents are faced with a | | | | 7 AM if awake, feed milk then leave in bedroom to |
| bombardment of marketers and advertisers who | | | | play, read, talk to him/herself. Just be sure that the |
| present the message that in order to be a good | | | | room is completely childproofed. |
| parent, one who provides physical and creative | | | | After an hour of alone time (or slightly longer if they |
| experiences, you have to enroll your child in either | | | | like) bring them to the main living area to play and |
| ballet class, drama class, music class, gymnastics, or all | | | | either have on some children's music or good quality |
| of the above. Is this really the best, most effective | | | | TV or a DVD while you prepare breakfast |
| way to raise children? If not, what's the alternative? | | | | 9:00 AM Feed breakfast |
| Leading a "slow life", in my opinion, is the way to go. | | | | 9:30 AM more play time with music on and then to |
| What does this mean? It means having a routine, no | | | | bed at 10 AM for 1st nap if under 18 months OR |
| matter if your children are babies, toddlers, or | | | | 9:30 AM take to a playgroup or swimming, run errands, |
| school-aged. It means going to the park, making crafts | | | | go for a walk, go to a friend's house or do an art |
| or baking together. It means going to playdates at | | | | activity at home and later a short walk if over 18 |
| friend's houses and allowing for alone time so that your | | | | months (or has given up morning nap) |
| child can experience independent play and creativity. It | | | | Noon Feed Lunch |
| also means participating in family activities inside the | | | | 12:30 PM to bed for a 2- 2 1/2 hour nap (if 18 months |
| safest, most comforting place there is - the home. And | | | | or older) OR |
| it means making a conscious choice about which | | | | 12:30/1 PM take to a playgroup or swimming, run |
| activities to participate in rather than jumping on the | | | | errands, go for a walk, go to the park, go to a friend's |
| bandwagon of classes. | | | | house or do an art activity together (if under 18 months |
| The reasons for living a slow life are plentiful, however | | | | and still having a morning and afternoon nap) |
| here are just a few: | | | | 3 PM or 4 PM put down for nap #2 (if 18 months or |
| 1) Children who have time to play by themselves, in a | | | | younger) OR |
| quiet environment, are able to be creative, problem | | | | 3 PM read books together then give a snack and |
| solve, and think about words they learned that day | | | | allow for individual play time |
| and things they saw and wondered about. They also | | | | 4 PM Choose an activity to do together. |
| become self-reliant and their self-esteem improves | | | | Ideas include: |
| because they learn how to like spending time with | | | | - have a friend over |
| themselves. | | | | - do an art activity |
| 2) Children who spend quality "down time" with their | | | | - build a puzzle or play with blocks or Lego together |
| families tend to have healthy self-esteems because | | | | - bake something together |
| they feel like they are a part of something important. | | | | - give a bath while you read a book in the bathroom |
| They also feel good about themselves because they | | | | - go for a walk with a list of things to see (use pictures |
| see that they are "liked" by their parents, not just | | | | if a young toddler)- how many things can you see on |
| "loved". | | | | the list today? |
| 3) Children who have enough time to just play are able | | | | 5 PM Allow for individual play or time to watch TV or |
| to develop naturally, meaning they remain their natural, | | | | a DVD while you prepare dinner |
| appropriate age rather than having to grow up too | | | | 6 PM Eat dinner together as a family (if child is finished |
| fast while they learn how to cope with all that might | | | | and becoming restless they can be set to play quietly |
| exist in their busy schedule. | | | | while mom and dad enjoy each other) |
| 4) Most children who live slow lives tend to do better in | | | | 7 PM give a 15 minute bath (optional), dress in pj's, give |
| school and feel better about going to school and | | | | milk, brush teeth, place in sleeping bag in dim light, then |
| learning. Homework typically isn't a battle either. | | | | put to bed with a kiss, "I love you. Have a good sleep. I'll |
| 5) Children who live slow lives are typically more | | | | see you in the morning" and close the door until 7 am |
| well-behaved and have respect for rules set by their | | | | the next morning. |
| parents. | | | | Leading a slow life is truly benefical for both children |
| Now that we know some of the benefits, what does | | | | and parents. Children have enough time to explore and |
| a typical slow life look like? It depends on the age, so | | | | learn and parents are able to lead a less stressful life |
| this week I will discuss toddlers and then move on to | | | | and enjoy their children more than they would if they |
| school-aged children next week. | | | | were racing around to endless activities or |
| Good Routine for Toddlers | | | | commitments. Try it and feel the benefits! |