Comments on: Raw Materials and Lots of Time http://intentionalparents.com/2005/07/01/raw-materials-and-lots-of-time/ Average parents follow the crowd. Intentional parents pursue the goal. Wed, 07 Dec 2011 17:19:32 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Sonya http://intentionalparents.com/2005/07/01/raw-materials-and-lots-of-time/comment-page-1/#comment-6607 Sonya Mon, 13 Dec 2010 15:15:31 +0000 http://intentionalparents.com/2005/07/01/raw-materials-and-lots-of-time/#comment-6607 It's tough with little ones, yes. However, I encourage you to continue trying to protect the older ones' projects as best you can. A couple of suggestions come to mind. <ol> <li>Point out the benefits of nap time. Your older ones could get a good start on projects while younger ones sleep or rest.</li> <li>Allow your younger ones to participate, but keep them contained. I used to put my daughter in a high chair, strapped in for safety, and tape some paper to the tray. She got a couple of crayons and could entertain herself while I made supper. You could do the same sort of thing for "craft time." (Oh, and make sure you don't get sucked into the "game" of throwing crayons on the floor so Mom can pick them up for me.)</li> <li>Encourage your older ones to do their projects on a table where it is more difficult for little hands to get ahold of things and interfere.</li> </ol> Above all, remember that this is a season in life. Set the tone you want and know that it will get easier! It’s tough with little ones, yes. However, I encourage you to continue trying to protect the older ones’ projects as best you can. A couple of suggestions come to mind.

  1. Point out the benefits of nap time. Your older ones could get a good start on projects while younger ones sleep or rest.
  2. Allow your younger ones to participate, but keep them contained. I used to put my daughter in a high chair, strapped in for safety, and tape some paper to the tray. She got a couple of crayons and could entertain herself while I made supper. You could do the same sort of thing for “craft time.” (Oh, and make sure you don’t get sucked into the “game” of throwing crayons on the floor so Mom can pick them up for me.)
  3. Encourage your older ones to do their projects on a table where it is more difficult for little hands to get ahold of things and interfere.

Above all, remember that this is a season in life. Set the tone you want and know that it will get easier!

]]> By: Becky Kemp http://intentionalparents.com/2005/07/01/raw-materials-and-lots-of-time/comment-page-1/#comment-4852 Becky Kemp Thu, 04 Nov 2010 07:06:05 +0000 http://intentionalparents.com/2005/07/01/raw-materials-and-lots-of-time/#comment-4852 I have 4 children from age 7 months to 4 years and I really want to give my children the time and space to do crafts and whatever else strikes their interest but i can't find a way to keep the younger 2 from destroying and making a complete mess (no disaster is a better word) of what the older 2 are doing without putting up gates or keeping them in a separate room. How can I enteract with 4 children so close in age but so different in thier maturity level? I am definately a survival parent right now but want so much to be an intentional parent. Becky I have 4 children from age 7 months to 4 years and I really want to give my children the time and space to do crafts and whatever else strikes their interest but i can’t find a way to keep the younger 2 from destroying and making a complete mess (no disaster is a better word) of what the older 2 are doing without putting up gates or keeping them in a separate room. How can I enteract with 4 children so close in age but so different in thier maturity level? I am definately a survival parent right now but want so much to be an intentional parent.

Becky

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