I just recently quit my job, and pulled my daughter from daycare so I could stay at home with her before she starts school next year. To my surprise she has become extremely clingy & whiney. I'm finding it difficult to get anything done around the house. What do I do???? I don't want her to feel like I don't want to hold her and be with her, but I'm just not getting anything done!!! Help!!!
2006-10-16 05:54:37 · 22 answers · asked by jezzabelley 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
k you need to stop entertaining her 24/7 sit with her for a while about 1 hr and day and read to her and get her something interesting to play with..drawing, puzzles., and tell her that mommy has to get some work done so you go and play by yourself..if she throws a temper tantrum..ignore it..let her know you won't give in..i think because you are giving in she knows you will be there everytime she does that..tough love lady!
2006-10-16 05:57:37 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Set up a tight ship.Plan ur day with her.
Breakfast
Educational Cartoons
Color time
Lunch
Nap
Snacktime
Independant playtime
Dinner
Bath
Bed at 7 pm.
During naptime I just do a quick pick up of the house.And after my 4 children (who are all 5 and under) go to bed, thats when I clean my house.My husband is in the military and he is gone.So I am doing this by myself and running a schedule seems to be the easiest way to go.
I think your 3 yr old may be use to the companionship that the other children in the daycare leant.So maybe try getting her into a playgroup once or twice a week.
Not claiming that any of this works perfect.Because there are always small tradgedies.But for the most part,if you stick to your guns and find small ways to relax throughout the day,it should work.
Ps
I saw that comment that someone left about you wanting time off and no daycare charges.I wouldn't blame u if that was a small portion of the reason.Daycare is expensive.And when ur not making that much,you're basically working to pay daycare.what is the point?! I have run into that so much.
2006-10-16 06:07:50 · answer #2 · answered by sunkissed299 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The situation is still new to her so she is in a transition period. Until she starts to settle in to a new routine there are some things you can do to enable yourself to get things done. The main one being, let her help you. Children love to help, and things that we think of as work they love to do....let her help you with a similar activity to whatever you are doing. She can help fold towels and washcloths or match socks while you are doing laundry, she can help with washing dishes...just make sure all the knives are out of the water and nothing too breakable is included, she can use a sponge to wash the sink in the bathroom while you are cleaning in there, she can help vacuum, she can help pick things up around the house, etc.......
Also, make sure that while she is getting used to a new routine that you actually have one. Children function better when they know what's coming next. When she learns what to expect she will most likely not be so clingy. Enjoy your time together!!
2006-10-16 06:10:23 · answer #3 · answered by Tallulah 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Can you try to find another parent with a kid or two and exchange play dates? Even if you are the one watching the kids, they will play with each other and you will still get more done.
I am in the same situation just one day a week because I work four days and I'm home alone with my baby for one day. She is not even one, but she's hard to entertain all day, after being used to the constant stimulation of daycare!
2006-10-16 06:01:32 · answer #4 · answered by Elaura 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm a stay-at-home Mom, but both my kids are very good at entertaining themselves. Teach her how to color.... get coloring books and crayons ready (have MR. Clean Magic cleaner handy). They love books that have buttons that they can push and tells them what the picture is.... Just slowly distance yourself after you realize that she is liking what she is doing- don't constantly be part of her exploration. I have a giant chalk board, on which my 4 year old writes letters and letter combinations... shapes and he draws on it almost all the time. I take a picture of him and his artwork on my digital camera. I have lots of books on shelves that he can access anytime. Whenever I feel like he doesn't know what to do anymore- I tell him to grab two books and I read them to him. He can recognize every letter of the alphabet and reads two letter words, because I make sure to ask him in between, if he knows what a word is saying by sounding the letters first. You know your daughter best. Observe her. My kids for example have special interests- at one point they were crazy about dinosaurs and learned the name of almost all discovered dinosaur species, because I went to the library with them on a regular basis to get books about dinosaurs. Then I realized my sons' fascination for sharks... so we got books about sharks for weeks and weeks.... now it's insects (beetles).... Try to be much more child-oriented.... and you will see a big difference. My husband for example always tends to watch TV that isn't educational when he is home.... then he wonders why the kids keep trying to get his attention. Now he only watches what he likes when the kids are sleeping.... he either watches Animal Planet, National Geographic or Discovery instead.. Go to the playground, so she can still meet other kids on a daily basis. Do most of the housework when your husband comes home or when she is napping.
2006-10-16 06:21:57 · answer #5 · answered by justmemimi 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You must find an activity that she likes and can do by herself. Also check out the nanny , I don't know what time it airs in your town but, I have learned a lot from that show.
By the way lose the quilt trip, children are little people they play games too. She's playing you, tell the kid to back off and shut up.....
Also involve her in some way so that she feels she is helping mommy with the chores.
Good luck mom,
NY-Girl-In-NC
2006-10-16 06:00:13 · answer #6 · answered by Jazz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know the feeling, maybe she is just getting used to the change, try to take her out, let her run around and tire herself out, she may settle down once she realises you are going to be home all day, invite a friend round to play with her, give her tasks to do so she will help you around the house, she will feel important that she is helping and feel grown up to.
2006-10-16 05:58:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You shuld count your lucky stars she is like that and not ignoring you.. she will settle down eventually, its a bit new to her to have u there all the time.. In 10 years she wont want to be with you 24/7 then you will be asking why?? and missing the time you had 2gether
2006-10-16 05:58:00 · answer #8 · answered by Robert C 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try to take her to parks or set up play dates with other children. She needs to learn how to interact with others her age before starting school anyway. This may also help her to entertain herself while mommie does the dishes. If you feel comfortable with it, try letting your little one help with the chores you have to do. Picking up clothes, sorting whites and colors, vaccuming, sweeping, they may make her feel part of your day more and she may not be interested enough and go play by herself
2006-10-16 06:00:04 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
1/2 day school. You can get your stuff done while she's in school. I have a 3yr old daughter and I think school is the best place to be for learning and socialization skills at that age.
2006-10-16 05:56:48 · answer #10 · answered by GreenEyedSista 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋