I am busy all day with a three and half year old and 13 month old, from breakfast to dinner with very little breaks in between.  I’m sometimes the first to wake up and the last to go to bed, it’s exhausting and at times it can cause me to lose my mind.  I’m sure many of you can relate.  Sometimes our house is anything but calm, it feels chaotic and loud most of the day, sounds pretty natural for having two small kids running around.  I see some moms who have everything under control and their kids behave and listen with no problems.  I started wondering what was wrong with me.  Ultimately their behavior falls on you, how they act around others is a reflection of you at home.  My son acts up from time to time, especially here at home.  Through research and trial and error on my end, I have found a few ways to create the calm before the storm in my environment, my home, even if only for a few hours out of the day. 

            First off I think it’s important to remember how it is to be a kid.  Of course most of don’t’ really remember being three or even four years of age, but I imagine how difficult it is.  You’re still learning to communicate or as we call it “using your words” and it can become overwhelming and confusing.  So sometimes we really have to bring ourselves down to their levels and get into their heads, so to speak.  My son listens when I speak to him in a certain tone, yelling and screaming only causes chaos in my personal experience.  A stressful environment is no place for a kid.  Your kids need to see you in control, not freaking out.  If you freak out so do they. which causes a storm before the calm at least for me.   I believe I have mentioned this before.  I have noticed that if we get off schedule or miss a nap time things take a turn for the worse in my house.  Of course you want to let them be kids and play, but you do need to reinforce rules and a schedule so they know the difference between day and night. 

            So what do you do to create this calm environment in your own home? Here’s what I have learned to do. During the day, I try not to play the TV this is a struggle because sometimes it’s just “noise” to fill up the background.  So instead  I play music (classical jazz or instrumentals seem to work best) while they are playing or eating sometimes even during story time.  The yelling and screaming seems to subside.  I also have designated nap times.  I know that ideally both kids “should” nap together but unfortunately that doesn’t work for me or them.  My daughter naps first which gives me one on one time with my son.  Once she wakes up he goes down and I have the same alone time with her.  It’s a great way to spend time with them individually.  I also give them time to make a mess with their toys and before meals and bedtime they pick up.  I also have my son sit down in the living room or his room for at least three minutes (that’s the time according to his age, however I have recently started doing four minutes).  He hates it.  But it seems to be working and he learns to soothe and work out his emotions, trust me three minutes seems like a lifetime with a busy preschooler.  After dinner and bath time my son, daughter, and I sit at the table and color.  I have always felt coloring was therapeutic and relaxing after a long/busy day.  Although my son doesn’t always sit for long, when he does it’s a nice experience.  These little things can go a long way, and once you do them you can start adding or removing things that do not work for you and your child.  

Photo Courtesy of Google Images

            I hope that some of these tips have been helpful for you in whatever you situation is.  Sometimes we need help or encouragement from other moms to know that we are not alone and that we can learn from each other.  These things did not come to me over night, trust me.  It has taken me time, energy, and patience to learn and grow with my kids.  I am learning something new about myself every single day as a mother.  That is what this blog is for, a place to communicate and share our journey’s. 

            Thanks for stopping by successful mommy advice! I hope that some of these tips have helped you if you are in this situation.  Make sure to share my blog with other mommies out there so together we can continue to strive for mommy success! 🙂

Check out these great pins from Pinterest, great ideas for crafts and all things toddler!

http://pinterest.com/calclingpeach/kids-corner/

XOXO,

Reina