1. Know the Security Items of the Young Kids
If you have young children that you are watching, know if they have a specific teddy bear, blanket, or stuffed animal. A lot of young children have an item they carry around and/or sleep with to make them feel safe. With Michael, he has this blanket with a blue bear on a corner. I didn't know this at first so when he started yelling for "Chops" I had no idea what he was talking about. First of all you can't blame me. Who the hell names a blanket bear... "Chops". Anyways. After Michael found Chops and calmed down, I talked to Sammy about Chops. She told me that Michael always has it with him but if he gets sidetracked he normally forgets it and freaks out. So know ahead of time, what and who the young kids need to feel safe. |
2. Don't Trust Anyone but the Second Oldest
I learned that all children can be devious. The tiny children will try to convince you that "yes momma lets me chew gum while I am swimming" even though the mom specifically told me that they couldn't. The young children want to see if you are going to let them do anything and everything. Or they will convince you of things like "i broke my neck last year", yea sure ya did. The oldest child will test there limits. They will slowly see just how much you will let them do. The second oldest is your friend. They aren't the youngest so they know what won't fly, and they won't test there limits like the oldest. They want you to like them more than all the others so they will try to help you. Sammy was willing to answer all of my questions truthfully. |
3. Watch the Gum
Children love gum. Its candy but not filling so that it ruins lunch. The parents of my kids allow one piece of gum a day and I can allows use it as bribery like "if you go to swimming lessons today you get an extra piece of gum". Well I learned that children can be sneaky. They will get into the pantry and take gum. That's not impressive. But when I ask them if they got a new piece, they cleverly say "no its that same piece." That's a lie. Allow younger children, although capable of chewing gum... aren't capable of throwing it away. They will just set it on the table or on the floor and leave it. |
4. Check-Lists are Your Friend
By the end of the summer hopefully I won't need the list, but for now they are a life saver. My kids are all in swiming lessons and there is so much they have to take. -googles -swimcaps -change of clothes -underwear -kickboards -flippers -towels They all need all these things and thats alot to remember. So I made a checklist that I go through with each kid as they are heading out the door. Only once they have everything on the list they may get in the car to leave. It is a lifesaver. They show me the items and I let them out the door. I have a fear of forgetting something so this is my way of making sure everyone has everything. |
5. Naptime is the Best Part of the Day
Naptime is amazing. Two of my kids need naps and the other two have to spend 30 minutes a day reading. So after I put down Michael and Katie, I go set up Sammy and Abby reading. Then it is me time. I got on Instagram, actually used my phone, watched the news. It was amazing. After 30 minutes I got to hang out with Sammy and Abby. Since they are older, they weren't demanding. They just wanted to watch TV. It was so nice and relaxing. Then Katie woke up and was loud which led to Michael waking up. Then I add to put my A-game back on and be interactive with them. |
-Xoxo Piper