Thursday Thirteen – 13 Ways I Keep My Kids Busy

Working at home means finding time to work mixed in with enjoying being with my kids. It’s an interesting balance sometimes, but very, very doable and ever changing.

Keep in mind, my kids are 5 and 2, so keeping them busy is pretty challenging and limited by their capabilities. And for those interested, take a look at the ebook on Keeping the Kids Busy I offer for subscribing to my newsletter.

1. Send them outside! I get more peace and quiet from this than anything else.
2. Baking with them. The trick to things like this is that once I’ve done this with them, they’re generally happier about playing on their own, not to mention the fun treat that is then available. We don’t do it very often, but they’re happy when I say it’s time.
3. Haul out the craft supplies. Crafts work best for my daughter, as she’s old enough to enjoy doing things either on her own or with me.
4. Haul out the art supplies. My son loves painting most of all.
5. Computer time. This one is generally limited. My daughter loves playing age appropriate online games. My son loves Google Earth or watching family pictures go by on the screen saver.
6. Science projects. I think my kids’ favorite so far was the Slime. We kept it sealed in a plastic container for months, and it lasted well until my son decided it needed more water….
7. Homework. We don’t really have homework as such to deal with yet. My daughter starts kindergarten next year. But that doesn’t mean we can’t tell her it’s time to practice her letters or numbers.
8. Chores. Both my kids help empty the dishwasher. They know which dishes they are allowed to help put away. Getting them to clean up their toys is more difficult, but possible.
9. Have friends over. When I really want to get some work done, I’ve found that having a friend over for my kids to play with really helps. When they need something, there’s more work involved then, but for much of the time, they’re so busy playing with each other they don’t mind me working.
10. Off to the park! This is especially effective for gaining a long nap from my 2 year old after.
11. Get them involved. My kids aren’t too interested in what I’m working on most of the time, but when they are, I encourage it.
12. Limited television watching. Honestly, I’m not that big a fan of setting the kids in front of the television for too long, perhaps because mine don’t just settle in and watch. They keep wanting snacks, want to tell me about the show, etc. For getting actual work done I’ve found this one not terribly effective for me. But I hear it works for some parents.
13. Get Daddy (or Mommy, for the Dads out there) to play with the kids.

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