AboutDena Marie Expertise Let me first say thank you for your interest in my profile. I am a mother of 3 whom has gone from being active duty military to a military spouse and then to a stay at home mom. I can answer questions regarding transitioning from working to staying at home. I can also answer questions regarding moving and relocating and how that can take its toll on the family. My children are ages 9, 5, and 2 years old. I can answer questions related to children in those age groups. For example, how to handel some ackward questions regarding the human body and what is to come. I can answer questions regarding having a boy who is sandwiched between two girls! I can also offer low cost ways to keep your family entertained. I can offer an ear on ANYTHING that might come to mind. I have been married for almost 11 years and can offer my advice on how to keep things balanced between being a mom and being a wife.
Relaxation is essential to everyone to maintain a healthy lifestyle…as mothers we often fight for five minutes to ourselves sometimes. Stress too easily takes over the situation. I can offer advice on how to regain some independence and some much needed “me time” while maintaining a clean house! Some subjects that I can help in are: feeding, bedtime struggles, potty training, discipline, socialization skills, and much more.
All you need to do is ask, I am here to help. I can not offer any advice on breast feeding though I have attempted with all 3 children. I am not a physician; I can not and will not offer any medical advice, only my opinion and suggestions. So with all that said…ask away! I am able to view and answer questions all throughout the day and check my message boards often! At the end of the day, all I want to do is help.
"The mother's heart is the child's schoolroom."
-- Henry Ward Beecher --
Experience I have been home caring for my children for about 6 years. I have returned to work here and there but, have officially decided to stay at home since I had my youngest daughter.
Education/Credentials I have an Associates Degree in Therapeutic Recreation which has really helped with finding activities for my 3 children which are all age appropriate and fun. I have been working on my Bachelors degree in Health Care Management and have finished my core class requirements.
Awards and Honors Who's Who in American Junior Colleges (Mitchell College 1997)
Expert: Dena Marie Date: 7/7/2008 Subject: Schedules/Activities for the day
Question I also am a stay at home mom and have two children (a daughter who is 3yrs and a son who is 19mos). I loved working, but got sick and ended up on disability. I have no idea what to do while at home with my kids. I walk around the pond, push them on the swings sometimes, but I have no idea what to do each day with them. I am 38 years old and each day varies with my illness. I would like to just get some ideas of what to do with my kids during the week so they aren't bored (and neither am I!) Could you give me an example of what your schedule would be each day for the week? Thanks
Answer Connie,
With your disability determining the amount of energy you may of may not have for the day, it can be difficult to schedule activities for either you or the children. It sounds as though you enjoy the outdoors and that is GREAT for the children. Each household is different and my schedule may or may not work with yours. Here are a few things I try to do each day with my youngest daughter (she is the only one home now due to a year-round school).
I try to get the cleaning done in the morning with my daughter. It keeps us moving and she rather enjoys helping. Your 3yr old will love this and your 19 month old will do his best :)
After I get my kids off to school and come back home my youngest (2yr) and I eat breakfast and then unload the dishes...I am certain to only give her things she can not break such as the Tupperware :)
We also gather the laundry and do one load a day. She loves searching for anything I had missed. She tosses the clothes in the washer with the help of a stepstool and also enjoys how warm the load is when it comes out the dryer.
While it is still cool we head out for a walk. I know that you may or may not be able to do that everyday but, if you can...it will probably benefit you as well. A moving body is a healthy body.
Do you mind the kids getting a bit messy? Allow them to paint! Perhaps you can set up a station outside to allow them to paint on the days you are not feeling well enough to walk or push them on the swings. The clean up is much easier when this is done outside :)
Lastly, you can look into playgroups that will allow the kids to get together with other kids their age! My recreation center here has loads of stuff for the little ones during the year. This will also allow you to meet some other parents. All of this is done before my children get home from school. I enjoy not being cooped up in the house all day and I get to meet with other parents who are going through the same thing. It is great to have others to talk to. Fellowship with others in YOUR own age range will do wonders for you as well. We as parents need to nurture ourselves as well.
To go from a working mom to a stay at home mom probably made your social activities limited to watching Blues Clues with the little ones right? I think the playgroup or recreation center activities will do wonders for you!
I hope I was able to answer your question. If you need any other assistance...just ask!
