My preschooler asks me what we are doing today for fun. I answer “Its a stay at home day.” His face instantly lights up! Wow- that was easy.
I realize, that hanging out at home is something he needs to do. He is enrolled in a half-day preschool three days a week. This gives us two free days together. In the past, I have signed up for gymnastics, swimming lessons, museum events, play dates or library reading times- all of which are great. But I had the feeling we were doing too much. Especially, when he began having meltdowns before we made it out of the front door. So now, we play it by ear and have just as much fun finding activities to do around the house.
My girlfriend asks “Don’t you run out of things to keep him entertained?” Yes, I do, but thankfully the imagination of a four year old can make the dullest chore into a silly game.
For example, yesterday when I changed the sheets, my son wanted me to play with him. So we started playing a game he made up called “Lump in the Bed”. It’s a simple game, he sneaks down into the sheets and I then I try to make up the bed. I pretend as though I can’t figure out what is causing the darn lump and pull on the sheets, smooth out the covers and anything else that might get out that troublesome lump. Finally, he pops out from the sheets with a huge smile and I tickle him until he begs for mercy. We do this over and over again until he tires of it and runs out of the bedroom to play with one of his toys.
Sure, I spend 20 minutes making up my bed, but sharing those giggles together is something that makes me feel very close to him - not a feeling I would get from a scheduled class designed just for preschool aged children.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not looking down on enrolling him into the museum classes or trips to the library. Those are always fun. But I do think I was pushing him into too many activities, thinking that it was good for him. I paid too much attention to activities and not enough on their pacing. Now I’m comfortable with keeping more days on the calendar open.
I wouldn’t want to miss out on a fun game of Lump In the Bed!