Nanny Notions :)

There are a few things I always do when I babysit....

1)Get to know the kids! It's not going to be any fun if I'm trying to play spaceship wars, and he wants to sit down and fingerpaint.

2)Find ways to make everything fun. "In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You FIND the fun, and... SNAP! The job's a game." I live by this philosophy while I am with children.

3)Have a devotional time. Even with infants. Granted, it looks different with a seven year old than with a baby. But, nonetheless, I always make time for Bible reading, worship through song, and prayer. Of everything else, this is the most important.

4) If I had to think of one of the most important things... it would be take the above and "become" one of them. I put myself in their shoes... and try to think, act, and play just like them... while still maintaining authority! Not only is this more fun for them... it's more fun for me! I have found that there are less disciplinary issues when you are willing to have fun, and let loose ;)

There are SO many more... I could probably write a book :) hahaha... I'll spare you, though! God has been gracious to allow me to learn as much as I have in such a short time.

While girls are more natural to adapt with (I AM a girl... and have girlie interests and loves... so it's easy!), boys can be harder. After watching who I now affectionately refer to as "my boys"... I have come up with tactics, adventures, and ideas on how relating to boys can be just as much fun as girls!

Here's the typical girlie day!
Wake up slowly... casually, daintily eat breakfast while discussing the outfit her doll is going to wear that day.
Dress above doll.
Clean up a small portion of the house for fifteen minutes (age dependant!). When the timer goes off, cleaning ceases :)
Outside time! Swinging, gardening, picking flowers.
Small snack time. Fruit is usually the only option :)
Ride bikes.
Lunch! Healthy, but filling. If they finish it all, a treat is SOMETIMES given. Not all the time, as they would come to expect it.
Afternoon Free Play. These are usually less-stimulating activites. Drawing time, puzzle working... etc.
Devotion time. Singing, praying, reading the Bible.
Rest time. Don't have to be sleeping, but must remain in room with door shut...
Small snack. Crackers, juice :)
show time! I usually only allow one show, as there are much more exciting activites than the TV.
.... "you choose" time. Girlies choose an activity and we do it!
This is the typical day for a little girl I am watching :) Structured, but fun!

THIS, on the other hand... is a BOY day! I think you notice there are quite different ;)
Already awake when I arrive. Immediately walk outside to begin baseball!
Switch from baseball to soccer.
Switch from soccer to frisbee.
Combine all three into a wild NEW sport.
Make pancakes.
Make MORE pancakes, as the 25 I made were not enough.
Play superheroes. I never have powers, they have all the powers... so I must figure out a way to escape the force field I am under!
"Switch Sides" Hmmm... I still have no powers, how did THAT work??
Wii time. Fast action, jumping, giggling, screaming, the works. 30 minutes, if it even keeps his attention that long!
Cuddling time! YA RIGHT... only in my dreams!
More soccer/baseball/frisbee
Bug-Squishing time. This is my favorite activity of the day! (*sarcasm!)... but... I, sad to say, often partake is this boyish pasttime. (refer to nanny notion #4)
Attempted movie time. Finding Nemo, Monsters Inc., The Incredibles, Toy Story, Meet the Robinsons...
More adventure time! Walk, ride bikes, scavenger hunt, hide and seek, etc.
Oh, right. Lunch. Boys have to eat... and so do I to keep up with them! In N Out it is! I know, I'm crazy.
Sweet Spot. Yet again, I know. I'm crazy!
Any other errands that need to be done.
head home... have talk on ride home about the behavior expected when we enter the house. Crazy time was for the morning, afternoon time is chill and calm.
Play with legos. I stress being calm.
Build a "ship" with blankets and chairs. I stress being calm.
Put on soothing music. I stress being calm.
Um... I stress being calm, of course!
Have devo time in the ship we built :)
Room time. By this time, they are almost calmed down, but if there is punishment any time during the day, this is usually where it has to happen :/
Reading time. they choose the book, I read it! OR, they read it to ME! that's my favorite :)
Snack time... fruit!
"You choose" time. Boys are given two or three options, and they are allowed to choose which one we do! (different that the girls, huh?!) Again, these are calm, group activites. Make a card for mom, draw a picture, laundry folding (believe it or not, some of them LOVE this!), puzzle building, etc.


See?! Boys are a crazy, wild ride... but oh so much fun :)

Next time on Nanny Notions... toddler techniques!