5 ways to Include Toddlers in a Daily Routine.

Now that our oldest is almost 2!
I’ve been thinking of more ways to include him in our day to day activities at home.

We’ve noticed it is much easier to include him in our tasks with just a little modification than to tell him no.
Sure, there are times when the answer will be no, but where we can… why not ?

It makes for such fun times in our home. Toddlers are honestly super smart and given the opportunity they surprise you.

In this post we will be going through 5 tasks we do with our Toddler:

1. Turning off the fan
2. Watering Plants
3. Peeling a Banana
4. Putting clothes in the washer
5. Putting toys away

Turning off the Fan

Whenever I leave the house, somehow I  always forget to turn off the fan. Nowadays, I can ask Adam to help me and he gladly does it.
Sometimes it is really hard to believe that this little baby is already so big. Surely, you feel that way too. One day you don’t feel well – you find out you’re pregnant then a few months later… A gift from God.
A baby.

Watering Plants

In the morning, we go outside and water the plants. Overtime I’ve noticed a more gentler approach from him. At first, the flowers took a beating but not so much these days. He says “mommy.. pannnts, fower!” with such astonishment.
Thats what we call…Growth!
In just the same we water our plants and watch them grow, it is the same way we should nuture our children so that they too will grow.
Our souls too, also need this nuturing for spiritual growth which, believe it or not is necessary for our mental and physical health. Let’s not forget that part.

Peeling a Banana

In the mornings for breakfast, Adam now takes part in prepping the meal.
Whether it is cracking an egg or peeling a banana. He loves to help, so I try to show him how to do the basics of cooking here. You’ll be surprised how much they catch on to the little details.
You may have more mess but its all worth it in the end, I promise.

Putting Clothes in the Washer

So much to teach when you have an eager helper around.
On Laundry days, we sometimes let Adam help to load the washer with clothes. He finds it fun to throw them in the big tub and then watch the machine do its work. We’ll see how this part will go a few years from now but at least I have these stories to share with him.
Can you believe these will soon be the good ole days ?

Treasure them and spend as much time as you can with your kids. They are only this little for such a SHORT time.

Putting Toys Away

Have you ever tripped on toys left out after putting the kids to bed ?

I know we have and boy is it painful!

The earlier we get these kids to pick up after themselves, the longer we might live, honestly.
I jest but if you’ve been there, I know that you understand that those trips are no laughing matter.
Thankfully, that exercise I mentioned earlier of putting clothes in the washer basically helps with learning to transfer objects from one place to the next.
This is what we are doing these days so I hope it helps you too.

What other tasks do you allow your toddlers to assist with?

I’d love to know in the comments below. 👇🏾

Finally, I wanted to mention this, the work of the child is play. We need not set our own timelines for them or make it a habit to say my child can do this and he’s just x age.
They all learn at their own pace so there is no need to compete and compare them.
It negatively affects their self esteem and causes lasting psychological effects.

Instead we should focus on the things they are doing.
However, if there is a serious concern regarding your baby/ toddler’s development, let your paediatrician know and then take it from there.

Well that is all for today.

Thank you for reading and if you are currently reading this and in Jamaica. 

I hope your family is safe and dry!
Remember to check in on your neighbours and the elderly during the passage of this Hurricane.

May the Lord continue to hold us in the hollow of his hands as he guides us through the storm.

‘Til next time

Abby