The same old same old is getting old.

Shannon - posted on 04/10/2011

ladies thanks for the good ideas.

Sara, that web site is awesome!! exactly what I was looking for thanks

Good Day! - posted on 04/09/2011

This is my favorite website to get ideas and inspiration for teaching my toddler at home. She loves it too!

http://www.icanteachmychild.com/

Liz - posted on 04/09/2011

My son is only 7 months old, so maybe it's not the same at all -- in which case just ignore me... but what he seems to love most is watching us do regular, everyday things. Of course we play with him and he plays alone with his toys, but he loves watching his dad do exercises! He will also sit quietly in the bathroom while I shower (he seems fascinated by the running water), he sits in his bouncy chair and watches his dad clean the kitchen, and he's fascinated by the laundry! I also wear him in a sling when I go to the neighbourhood shops, and he loves that too. He likes to carry something around the grocery store, like a bag of rice cakes. :)

As he gets older I plan to involve him in my daily life, like momto5 said. I don't think it's our job to "entertain" children like clowns. We're teaching them to be part of a family.

Amber - posted on 04/09/2011

No schedule here, but at 18 months my daughter loved to help with dishes. Lots of bubbles some tupperware(or anything unbreakable) and cloth, there goes an hour. The water on the floor just encouraged me to wash the kitchen floor :) She found it fun to help emptying the dishwasher, take out the recycling and the garbage, and really anything that I was doing. Clean the bathroom and have your child clean the tub, fully clothed, and with bubbles, not much to clean up afterwards and child will have the best time!

Montana - posted on 04/09/2011

ugh, I know what u mean! we do a lot of art and when I cant do it WITH my daughter she has constant access to her art easel. I dont let her do the paints without me supervising but she has chalkboard on the other side. for a while i was letting her play with her toys in the bathtub. i was so bored i was looking for ANYTHING to do. we just got her a cat and that helps. She plays with him all day. She comes home from school and says "Figaro... Mommys home!' lol. she is 4 so much older than ur 18 month old but i also have a 15month old. i have a private stash of toys that he "forgot" he even has so when there is NOTHING to keep his attention, I get out the tote of forgotten toys. Him and his sister play for at least an hour with them. I take him to lunch and we window shop or go to the mall and just walk around. its so hard when they r so young,. good luck

Shannon - posted on 04/08/2011

Thanks momto5!
I would love to hear other folks schedules. To get inspired.

Momto5 - posted on 04/08/2011

I set up a schedule of things for the week. Two field trips per week (petting zoo, dinosaur museum, aquarium, etc..), my kids love those. there usually are lots going on around town as well. Some seasons offer more than others, our busiest is the fall because of all the fun activities around town. Our city has a free family magazine that lists what is going on in the county day by day and I know there are websites that have that as well. When we do not go on fieldtrips, we have an activity/project schedule as well. My kids love baking, making crafts, reading stories, play doh is a big one and takes lots of time. At your child's age, they are interested in everything mundane as well, such as grocery shopping, laundry, dishes, cleaning but it is up to you to involve him/her. The library has a lot going on every week as well. Also, Your child should be able to play alone and you should not be having to entertain all day long and this is something learned over time.

Shannon - posted on 04/08/2011

I do this. It's fantastic.
Its when we get home and on the off days that I need the help.

Louise - posted on 04/08/2011

Go to play groups and mums and tots so that your child can interact with others there own age and you can have some stimulating conversations with other mums. This way you can sit and have a chat whilst your toddler explores new toys and does craft activities and somebody else clears up the mess. Also this is not weather permitting it is fun all year around.