So if I don’t let my little ones watch videos, how do I manage to get anything done, and what do they do instead of watching videos?
First of all, now my kids are older so that changes the picture somewhat, because I’m not the only one able to do things that need to be done. But for the many years when everyone was little and I didn’t have that hard earned luxury, what I personally found helpful was: defining reasonable standards for myself, getting enough sleep so that I had energy to be with them when they were up, using part of the toddler and baby’s nap time for me to rest to refresh myself (you get so much more done when you take a little time to recharge!), getting up in the morning before they woke up or staying up a bit later after they were asleep (you can do a lot in a small amount of focused time with no disruptions), and cooking/preparing when they were asleep or busy playing. It’s easy to get caught up in getting things accomplished, and it helped (and still helps) me to remember what my priorities are.
Practically speaking, it’s useful to have some toys/games/crafts that they enjoy and can do safely and independently even if you’re not watching every minute. Sometimes, stopping for ten minutes and doing something quick with them, like reading a short story, can engage them, give them the feeling you’re involved with them, and then you can get back to your cooking or whatever.
Also, I involved my kids in cleaning and cooking from the time they were very young – it took longer than it would have for me to do it myself, but faster than leaving them making a mess in another room and having to keep stopping to clean up or redirect them.
Avivah
Before my 2.5 year old stopped taking naps we didn’t really watch TV, maybe an Uncle Moishy video here or there. I have never really been around a lot of children and maybe my son is not unique, but I have been told otherwise. When I had my seond baby a few months ago, a few friends took him for the afternoons right after she was born. These women have 4 or more children, many of whom are home all day and these kids are not sent to school unti actual kindergarten. My point is they are around a lot of children. They reported back to me that my son is quite a handful, very bright, but hard to watch. The said they had to keep their eye on him every second and that they had never seen a child like him. I am not one to think I or anyone is particularly unique, but I do see in mommy and me groups that my son is always the one opening the fromt door and getting into something that the other children never see.
Your son will accomplish great things when he gets older, Dina! And you’re going to grow in amazing ways as a parent of such an active child! It’s definitely true that some kids take a lot more effort and energy to raise than others, regardless of how skilled a parent you are, and it sounds like you have one of them. 🙂