| Admit it - you couldn't wait to see that big yellow | | | | hiding. |
| school bus show up and ferry your kids back to | | | | 4. Offer to let your toddler "help" you with the |
| school. No more bickering. No more whining. And no | | | | housework. Just arm them with a broom and dustpan |
| more built-in babysitters to help with your toddler. Now | | | | and then get out of the way! Be sure and praise them |
| that it's just the two of you, here are a few ideas for | | | | for a job well done. You can always clean up again |
| passing the time. And furthering your little one's | | | | when they have finished. |
| development. | | | | 5. Don't forget snuggle time. It's a fact that younger |
| 1. Get out the crayons and fingerpaints and work on a | | | | children don't get as much talking to, singing to, or |
| banner to welcome the older kids home from their first | | | | cuddling as their older siblings. It's not an intentional slight, |
| day of school. Your little one might just be missing his | | | | but merely a function of harried parents having less |
| older siblings, and this project will help him feel | | | | time and more things to do. So grab a blanket and a |
| connected. | | | | stack of picture books and set up camp on the sofa |
| 2. Set the time for fifteen minutes and engage your | | | | for some serious snuggle time. Or squeeze yourselves |
| toddler in their favorite activity - you know, the one that | | | | into your child's play tent to enjoy some down time on |
| you don't particularly enjoy. For bookworm parents, this | | | | their turf. Don't rush through the books to get the child |
| might mean getting up from the sofa and playing | | | | off to bed - slow down and try to make each book |
| physical games like "push me over" or "I'll bet you can't | | | | last as long as possible. |
| take the socks off my feet". Knowing that it will only | | | | Think back to all of the things you did with your first |
| last fifteen minutes allows you to relax and fully | | | | child and try to recreate those one-on-one |
| engage in the activity. | | | | experiences for your youngest. You will not only be |
| 3. Suggest a game of hide-n-seek. This is a game that | | | | passing the time, but creating magical learning |
| little ones are often left out of when the older kids play, | | | | moments for your child. And as an added bonus - you |
| so give your toddler an opportunity to play, too. You | | | | are much more likely to appreciate your older kids |
| can pick easy hiding places and appear genuinely | | | | when that yellow school bus shows up again at the |
| surprised when your toddler announces where she is | | | | end of the day. |