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Health And Wellness Ideas For Work

Posted in Uncategorized | August 27th, 2011

Stay-At-Home Moms…I need ideas on what to do with my 19 month old!!?

I checked our local library’s website for story hour. They had a weekly program all winter long that ends March 2nd. I may take her to the last one, at 9:00a.m.; however, I work until 1:00 the night before so we’ll see. I also checked our Health and Wellness Center for play groups. All that they have is sports activities for kids starting at age 5. I’m hoping to find something for kids her age to interact as well as their Mommy’s. I’m also looking for low-cost or free ideas preferably in the afternoon after her nap due to my work schedule. Any suggestions?
We don’t have a zoo, museum or YMCA here. I live in WI in a town of about 22,000. All that we have here is shopping and restaurants. Our church does have a MOPS group that meets at 9:00; however, with not getting to bed until 2:00a.m. that’s going to be a challenge as our church is 30 minutes away. I’m looking for afternoon ideas. We do go to the park and will again when the weather gets better.

In the afternoons I suggest nature encounters. A child this age will be open to you and anything you say and absorb it like a sponge-exposure to other children is secondary-you are the whole world to your child at this age. I started at age 2 with my 4 children and am doing it now with my grandchildren. It is easy to spend anywhere from half an hour to 2 hours a day taking advantage of what is available where you live. It could be discussing a flower, a leaf, the clouds, water, an animal (don’t know what there is in your area, but we spend ages looking at fish, dogs, donkeys, crabs etc) the sky, the moon, the stars. My 2 year olds know the difference between oleander and hibiscus, and can count the stars in 2 languages (up to 10 only!) They are aware of the phases of the moon.They are fascinated by the smallest elements of nature, even ants in the house lead to a discussion about respect for life (we try not to kill them). Although they are listening most of the time, they take it all in and amaze me with what they retain with some repetition -and their enthusiasm never wanes. They are not geniuses and neither am I but I do take the trouble to find out certain things such as when the full moon is, simple biology of plants and animals, and together we share the wonders of the natural world. Seeing them see it all for the first time provides more than enough enjoyment to keep it going.