My toddler was reciting lines from his favorite cartoon while I was cooking dinner 2 nights ago. I soon realized the child can memorize lines like a professional actor. More importantly, he knew a LOT of lines from a LOT of shows! His repertoir ranged from Nickelodeon favorites such as Dora and Diego to Noggin’s up-and-coming “Yo Gaba Gaba” to Disney show tunes. After 2 seconds of parental pride, I realized my baby watches way too much T.V. What else is new?
I had boxes to open from a shipment, update inventory and finish cooking dinner before bedtime. But just as he was about to run back into the living room to soak up more show tunes on the Disney channel, I was suddenly desperate to come up with an alternative for T.V.
So I pulled up a step ladder to the kitchen counter and gave him some cheerios and raisins to play with. But he got tired really quick! He knew he wasn’t making edible food. Knowing I had to come up with enticing tricks fast, I gave him some lettuce to rip into shreds for dinner salad. That lasted for another 5 minutes. Before long, he ran off to play with his sister and turned on the T.V. again.
I know I’m suppose to have my kids T.V. free but if I’m not competely present with them as I juggle tasks. They can sense that half-ass attention and feel my guilt. It’s a no-win situation.
Luckily, dinner was served 15 minutes later. After dinner, the task of opening and shipment and doing inventory count has yet to be done. What are the kids suppose to do? Of course! I should’ve thought of this long ago! I put my kids to work:
1. My toddler took out packages of carrier in the giant brown boxes. He’d take each one out and then count them. He’d lose count and then start over. The process kept him busy while I tied up some administrative loose ends.
2. My little girl (8) helped me by clipping and pasting some shipping labels and prepared packages with invoices and cards.
3. When my daughter was finished, she helped my toddler recount the boxes and separating them into different prints.
Soon enough, shipment unpacked and inventory updated on my cart.
I saved the giant brown boxes and they made a “van” out of one of them with a wheel cut out from construction paper and cut out windows on each side. They painted the brown “van” the next day as I cooked dinner. A little messy but 100% better than watching another episode of “Sponge Bob Square Pants“!
