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We fall into too much screen time when our preschooler is sick. As soon as he’s well, it helps to get him outside, especially if we can get to a park or a forest preserve, away from our immediate yard. If the weather is inclement, maybe a fast food joint with an indoor play place, or a grocery store that has good samples.
Changing his environment seems to jolt him out of, “But this is ALWAYS the time of day when I watch a movie!” (when “always” really means “for the past 4 days while I ran fever” but time doesn’t have a lot of meaning to him right now)
We are in Maine! We have a just turned 4 year old daughter and almost 2 year old son. Anyone else this far north? :)
ohhh I like the timer idea! must try that! we found letting our little guy help with dinner prep has helped. we’re basically grazing as we’re cooking and he’s had fun helping cook and trying it as he went so more inclined to eat once we all sit down.
another tested favourite! and it went over really well while camping with two three year olds and two 11 month olds.
https://www.wholesomeyum.com/recipes/pesto-zucchini-beef-skillet/
Any tips for helping do a screen detox? I have gotten really lax with my screen time rules, but want to kick the bad habit (for us both) to the curb. It got bad because my son’s 2 year sleep regression was 3 or 4 months long and he wouldn’t nap at all, so I (and he) needed a break so I would put on something fun. But that regression is over now and he naps more days than he doesn’t, so I need to wean us off the tv.
Hi Everyone! I’ve been LOVING Erin’s workshop videos this week which have given me an extra boost of confidence to start this year and am working my way through the reading list!! I have a question – Erin, you cite a lot of different studies in your workshop videos. Do you have the links or places where I can locate these? My husband is very supportive of homeschooling, but admittedly a little suspicious of its effectiveness. He’s in the medical field and I’d love to show him the research that supports it.
Similarly, when my toddler is melting down because she’s angry at her little brother or she stubbed her toe, she loves when I respond in kind, “OUCH! That had to hurt!” or “AAAGHHH!” or “OH MAN!”
Doing this acknowledges her feelings and lets her know I hear her, I see and understand her, and I’m right there with her. She also finds it pretty silly when Mama exclaims loudly WITH her.
Thanks for your insight, friends!
A couple of strategies I’ve tried myself:
– Read aloud while they eat!
– Have a routine incentive after dinner. It’s generally our routine to go outside after every meal. For example say, “As soon as we’re finished, we can go outside!”
– The Timer: (This one is from two experienced homeschool mamas who have teenagers now!) Set a timer for 40 minutes. Once the timer goes off, I box up any food that’s left. Then we continue on our routine and still go outside. The child does not eat again until the next meal time, so they are good and hungry!
I really like the 15 minute trick! I usually have afternoon tea every day. By that time we’ve finished school and both my kids are heavy into play. So I sit and drink, and sometimes read a little. But mostly gaze out the window. I sort of dropped it this summer but as the seasons change I’ll start my little ritual again.
Our kiddos are slow eaters as well. Probably as a result of being big talkers haha. I usually just try to plan ahead knowing that it’s going to take forever and a day to eat. We usually sit down for lunch at 10:30 (SO early!) but I know we’ll be done by 11:30 in time for nap so I don’t feel like I have to rush them. Playing Raffi or an episode of “Brains On” podcast also helps them to just listen and not talk and in turn, eat more quickly! Sometimes when it’s dragged on long enough, I’ll set a timer on Alexa for 5 minutes and say when it goes off, the meal is over, whether you have food on your plate left or not! 😬😂
