Spring Cleaning: The Childcare Way
Posted by Danielle Terlonge on Sun, Mar 27, 2011
Everyone associates springtime with getting a fresh start, cleaning the house, and getting ready for the warmer weather to come. These same ideas should apply to your family and children. As spring arrives, take the time to analyze how your family operates, and what you enjoy about your family practices and what you could work on “cleaning up” this spring season.
1. “I don’t have enough time in the day to spend with my children.”
Many parents say that they are too busy to complete all of their tasks, whether they be work tasks, or things at home. Very often we forget that our children learn through modeling, so we need to show them how to properly manage their time. Children love doing things with you, especially if it means that they get to spend time with you that they normally would not. Need to clean out the garage? Give your child a job, like going through toys that are theirs. Spring cleaning in the house? You’d be surprised how much fun a damp sponge or a cleaning rag can be!
2. “We can’t afford a family vacation, new toys, etc.”
While children love going places and having new toys, they do not know if it cost $1 or $1,000 as long as they have fun! That means everyone can have a blast if you look up the top parks or playgrounds in your area, or look for coupons in the newspaper for area attractions and events. As long as it is different from the normal routine and you make it exciting, your child will love it.
3. “Schoolwork comes first, so we can’t play outside.”
Yes, school is important, but your child has been cooped up inside for the last four months and they are so excited to be able to go out and play for the first time in awhile. As a parent, you set the routine. If you expect your child to do their homework as soon as they get to daycare or as soon as they get home from school, then maybe they can play outside for 15 minutes when they are done. You’d be amazed how much energy they can release in that short time! If your child struggles with homework and there is no way to complete homework and play outside on weekdays, then make sure he or she has plenty of opportunities to release their energy on the weekend.
4. “My child does not have anyone to play with.”
I’ll let you in on a secret – children are GREAT at amusing themselves no matter what materials they have available, as long as they normally exercise their imagination. Think back to your childhood. What did you enjoy playing with? Teach your child games that you liked to play, or show them things that they can do by themselves if no friends are available. Yes, all children need socialization, but they are around other children all day in school and daycare. Sometimes, they need time to be by themselves.
5. “I feel like I don’t know what is going on in my child’s life.”
We all lead such busy lives that it can be hard to keep up with everyone’s plans and activities. However, your child’s happenings should be of high importance to you, so try to find time to ask about their day (no matter how old they are). Your 3 year old might want to tell you about painting with mud, while your 9 year old might be concerned about bullying. You have the ride home from school or daycare, eating dinner, or tucking them in to bed to take five minutes to ask what they would like to share with you.
Hopefully your child will have the ability to lose their winter blues and run around and enjoy the warmer weather that spring brings. Just remember to make time to spend with your child and to let them enjoy their childhood!
