“Mommy, I’m bored…” is definitely one of the most common phrases to come out of my child’s mouth. Over the years, I have learned how to defend against the inevitable boredom that sets in after my children spend too much time playing with the same toys and games day after day. The versatility of a child activity table has been a lifesaver for me and my kids.
I have found that setting up a comfortable table that is full of different designs and colors entices my children to play and stimulates their imaginations. As the kids color books or draw, they improve their hand-eye coordination and enhance their motor skills. While they build impressive building block structures or assemble dominoes, they are nurturing skills like problem-solving and creative thinking. The child activity table is also a great place for my kids to interact with friends. They love showing off their artwork, and I love watching them build social skills.
Most child activity tables are also low maintenance. I find it very easy to clean up spills, wipe off marker and fold it up for easy storage. I would definitely recommend that any parent or grandparent set one up. It is a great tool for fostering ingenuity and helps keep the childhood years free from boredom.
By Sharon
How lucky are we as moms and grandmas to be living in this amazing age of technology? We can tweet, facebook, email, or, my favorite, Skype. With children fleeing the nest, and often times moving out of state, we can now stay connected with technology literally at our fingertips.
Since my one and only grandchild lives nearly 2500 miles away, the anticipation and excitement awaiting our weekly Skype appointment gives me much to look forward to. We have been Skyping since she was just a couple of months old (with the accompaniment of her dad, my son, of course). I get to see her grow and witness all the changes from infant to toddler (to include diaper changes, as she gets excited when we Skype). We’ve even enjoyed many virtual games of Pat-a- Cake and Hide and Seek.
On top of that, it’s been great for her to recognize her grandma’s face and voice, although two-dimensional, with us being so far apart. Of course I can’t help but wonder how her little brain perceives seeing a flat grandma on a screen and then seeing three-dimensional grandma in person. I’m guessing she will figure that out as she gets older.
Her parents have chosen not to expose her to television until she’s about three so I guess you could say I’m her cartoons, Sesame Street and Teletubbies all rolled into one. I do try my best to be entertaining.
To say that I’m grateful to be living in an age of today’s technology that keeps my granddaughter and I close would be an understatement. With that said – gotta run – Monday is Skype night!
About Sharon
Sharon became a first time grandma in February of 2011 and had the pleasure of celebrating her granddaughter’s first birthday in San Francisco where she lives with her oldest son and his wife. Sharon welcomes the opportunity to spoil her granddaughter after having raised two boys. Sharon is an avid lover of the arts and has dabbled with oil painting and enjoys interior decorating as a hobby. She is the Customer Service Manager for Step2.
Remember how fun it was to climb trees as a kid, feeling like you were atop the world? Now as mothers, we cringe to even think about our kids at the top of that old oak tree in the back yard. Surely there’s a safe way to let our kids be adventurous and experience that same sense of exhilaration that we experienced.
Climber Toys
Climber toys offer kids ages two and older a chance to explore without the danger of extreme heights and weak branches. These sturdy outdoor play area toys are made of durable plastic and are designed with stairs and slides and places to tunnel, among other features. Your child will get plenty of opportunity to be an outdoor explorer with a climber.
Celebrating Earth Day Everyday
Climber and slide toys are also a good way to make your child aware of the environment and to learn to enjoy spending time outdoors. With childhood obesity a growing problem in the United States, finding enjoyable ways to be active are important. As the climbers are designed in earth tones to resemble trees and shrubs, you can also use these toys as a segue to teaching your children about real live trees and how the many ways they help the environment.
Written by Sara S.
When my second son was born, the weight of raising two boys into responsible, loving, righteous men was very overwhelming. I grew up with aunts, sisters, girl friends – what did I know about little boys, teenage boys and down the line parenting grown men? I was so sure I was meant to parent girls that I spent 40 weeks convinced my first born was a girl.
Now, my two boys are one and four so I have time to learn; but those are the thoughts that pop into a mother’s head from time to time. Sometimes I see a tall teenage boy with curly hair and light eyes and am fast forwarded 15 years, jolted into thinking of how my oldest son Ryan will look, who he is friends with, what kind of car he drives, all sorts of fast forward thinking. I have not caught myself doing this for my youngest son, Brady (a.k.a. Grizz) yet. Maybe it’s because his hair hasn’t even come in yet and I don’t have a sense of what he will look like. I’m still filled with wonder on his future adult traits.
Ryan was a surprise honeymoon baby. He was ready to be born – that’s for sure. He was ready to be the oldest sibling, ready to hit the ground running when he was born. By the time Ryan was 14 months old he was saying almost 70 words. It was hysterical watching this bald baby say three word sentences. I discovered that being his Mom was fun and a delight.
Brady, on the other hand was strategically planned to be exactly three years younger than Ryan. He was born at a whopping 9 lbs 3 oz and did not cry for the first 3 weeks after his arrival, thus creating a perfect nickname for the huge, quiet giant that he was – he was to be called Grizzly Bear or “Grizz” for short. To add even more flair that his name – he is known in our household as any of the following: King Grizz, The Grizzard, Professor Grizzinski, Grizzy, Grizzy the Lizzy and my personal favorite “Grizzington.”
I wonder if on his varsity jersey they will inscribe “Grizz.” At the very least I think that will give him an edge one the field.
My husband and I discover everyday how fun it is to be the parents of these two little angel boys that were placed in our care. They keep us laughing everyday and remind us to see the world a little brighter.
About Sara S.
Sara is an on the go – down to earth Momma, married to a Marine and the mother of two get dirty wild and crazy, play in the mud boys. She loves Michael Jackson, dancing and spending time with her family. She is honored to be able to teach her little guys about the world around them, about kindness love and the human spirit. For fun, she loves to make jewelry, shop, ski and spend time outdoors getting dirty with her boys. Sara is a Sr. Product Manager at Step2.
There is something magical about having small children. As they grow and learn to pull out their toys for play, it seems harder for us to keep their bedrooms organized. There are easy things that we can do to help with this.
1. Toy box. Having a toy box in a child’s room will keep the large toys stored in one place. It can be bought in different shapes, colors and styles that will help stimulate a child’s own imagination in his or her playtime.
2. Shelving. Brightly painted shelving can be securely fastened to a child’s bedroom wall and at a level that the toys can be easily and safely reached. This will prevent climbing.
3. Clear plastic containers. Clear plastic containers can be used to store crayons and small toys. We can see what is inside. These can be stored on top of the shelves.
4. Over the door shoe holders. Over the door shoe holders are great for storing action figures or small dolls.
5. Storage bins. Different colored storage bins are very useful for putting any remaining toys in after the toy box is full.
In designing a child’s bedroom, doing these simple things will easily organize it. A child will be eager to help put the toys back where they belong after an enjoyable time playing with them.
Written by Tena
Long before I ever met my husband or even entertained the idea of getting married or having children, there was one thing I was certain of; being a Stay-at-Home-Mom was not for me. There was something so daunting about having the primary responsibility to ensure that one’s child is fed, groomed, socialized, and developed into a healthy and productive adult. As if those responsibilities aren’t enough, add on the accountability to ensure the entire household runs smoothly and I pictured shoes that were just too big for me to try on, let alone fill. The shoes are still too big to fill but my perspective on the meaning of this role has changed greatly.
Shortly after finding out I was expecting, my husband lost his job (and by “shortly,” I mean one week). We had always discussed that he would be an awesome Stay-at-Home-Dad and this seemed serendipitous. We assumed he could take the time to paint the nursery and get the house ready for our new arrival. While that plan was good on paper, our road had several detours along the way that made his new employment status a true blessing.
We could never have predicted the itinerary of the journey we have had in the last 14 months which included the diagnoses of our son’s congenital heart defect (CHD) at pregnancy week 20, bed rest, an emergency C-section, three heart surgeries for our son and a total of 50 days in the hospital for our little fighter. Our experience has made me realize that when it comes to children, nothing is predictable, and the role of parent morphs and adapts to the needs of our children. Though we didn’t plan for it we have accepted and appreciate our experiences and this is our definition of normal. As tough as this was to go through, life around us continued on. There were bills to pay and I was lucky to have a job that needed my return.
My husband flourished into the role of Stay-at-Home-Dad. My return to work enabled him to get into his own rhythm, develop his own schedule and bond with our son in ways he couldn’t while I was “hovering.” He managed our son through colic, a diagnosed dairy allergy, a healing chest, and a feeding tube. He made it to all of the cardiology appointments, in home health care sessions, and the baby shots. He figured out bath time and feeding time and diaper changes and play time. Doing two daily loads of laundry, boiling bottles, doing the dishes and even finding time to run the vacuum has become part of his daily routine. Settling into the position of Stay-at-Home-Dad has its challenges for my husband, but from my perspective he has aced it! I am so happy and grateful for all that he does and I’m now in awe of my husband and all Stay-at-Home Parents.
I now know firsthand that I couldn’t juggle all that my husband does. I love the way my son looks at my husband across the room. I am thankful for the clean house when I walk in the door. I’m amazed to find that my son would prefer being fed and comforted by his Daddy over me. There are times when this makes me sad, but I relish in those special moments that are just for my son and me.
I am so lucky to be able to put him to sleep every night by dancing around the living room. I am delighted to introduce him to a new food each week. I love that Saturday nights he cuddles with me all night on the couch so my hubby can get a peaceful night of sleep. I get to experience him getting so excited to see me when I walk through the door at night and I know that I can look forward to that for years to come.
I used to think I was a selfish person for knowing that I wouldn’t be good in the role of Stay-at-Home-Momma. After watching it all from the front row I’ve realized that recognizing that is the best gift I could have given my son. We are lucky enough to have figured out a way for my husband to stay at home to raise our son and each day I feel blessed to have a husband who is so nurturing and loving who perfectly fits those big shoes that are needed for this uniform. He fills them well and I tip my hat to all of you who are Stay-at-Home Parents.
One last thought before closing out this post; family dynamics come in all shapes and sizes. I’ve shared my experience but it is just one scenario. No matter what your family set up is, having a little life to take care of has made me realize just how special each of us are and what an honor it is to have the title of Mommy or Daddy.
About Tena
Tena and her best friend (and hubby) had their first child in July, 2011. Their little guy has a congenital heart defect and he is one tough little cookie; don’t ever think about calling him sick though – “his plumbing is just different.” Tena is an animal loving vegetarian and is excited to teach her son about compassion and the importance of volunteer work. She secretly hopes her son will be left handed like his momma. She is the Online Marketing Director for Step2.
