I’m cleaning up the kitchen floor for the second time this morning because Lillian has snitched a pack of Morton’s from the counter and spread it around the kitchen island pretending to feed some chicks.
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| Pic 1: No, we don’t have mice! It’s another attempt to “feed the chicks” that resulted in a chewed-up baking soda box. Like many of us, when she can’t open something, Lillian uses her teeth to open things. |
She is willing to help clean up, but knowing that it’s a game for her and that she’ll take 15 minutes to just sweep the salt all over and into the hallway, I decide to take charge and do it myself. She is now very upset that I’m not letting her help and wails about hurt feelings while smudging mucus over her cheeks. We have 30 minutes left, which 3 years ago used to be enough time for me to get out the door. Not anymore. Not when you have a toddler! It typically takes 2-2.5 hrs to get ready these days. So how do we manage to stretch breakfast and getting dressed to a 2 hour ordeal? (This doesn’t even include me taking a shower or putting make up on! I don’t even want to think about next month when my maternity leave is over and I don’t have the luxury of not stressing about work). I’m sure most of you know exactly how, so let’s share the pain and have fun with it.
1. Do you wake up to your child’s voice instead of alarm? Yes!
The first thing I usually hear is Lillian’s voice from the yet dark kitchen, “Mom, is it breakfast time?”
2. Do you have to read/tell a story/do a dance (circle one or two) while putting breakfast on the table? Yes!
And it’s not like I can get away with putting one thing on the table! Lillian tends to change her mind about breakfast food 3-4 times. She can first order granola with milk, then decide she’ll actually have it with yogurt. Then, while you are cleaning up the spilt milk and wiping her face covered with yogurt, she’ll request an omelet or a pbj toast. The bombardment continues as she usually asks me to read her a book while she eats. Then you remember you’ve forgotten to offer her water/juice… The morning boot camp of kitchen jumping jacks and squats and stretches continues.
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| Pic 2: This picture isn’t a breakfast shot but the facial expression applies to most meals unless it’s pasta |
3. Do you ever tell yourself “It’s okay, people will understand if my child shows up wearing pajamas and tangled hair?” Yes, I pick my fights!
It’s rarely an easy task to get Lillian out of her pajamas. It’s quite typical for us to clash on this topic and when we do I step away and let her steep a little in her room. Only after 10-15 minutes of playing by herself she may come out of the room to tell us she’s ready to change.
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| Pic 3: This morning she decorated her pj pants with hair clips. Just another fun activity between breakfast and changing out of pjs |
One trick that has been working like a miracle lately is to tell her not to do what you actually want her to do. For example, “Don’t take your pj’s off!” or “Don’t put your shoes on!” And when she does the opposite with so much excitement you ought to react in a very upset manner “Oh no! I can’t believe you put your shoes on!”
4. Do you still panic a little when at 10 pm you suddenly realize you don't have your toddler's lunch ready for tomorrow? Yes!
As for lunches, I never, never leave it for the morning. It’s a must to have her lunch box prepared the night before because the minute you leave it till morning, you are guaranteed to have a disaster of some sort. Every night when I open an empty lunch box I have visions of those creative and colorful lunches some uber-moms put together for their toddlers. Firstly, I’m so tired by the end of the day that I don’t have any mental energy to take the creative route. Secondly, I’m not even sure Lillian would appreciate the effort as so much more exciting stuff goes on around the lunch table. So, for now I simply try to check the staples off the list – protein, carbs and fiber – and balance home-cooked and pre-packaged foods.
Pic 4: A perfect lunchbox from online search
Pic 5: Here’s what I packed last night – squeezable yogurt, cheese stick (I peel open it a bit), cubes of home cooked pork, mini cream cheese sandwiches, “mash-ups” of apple, carrots and mango, and finally strawberries . The latter didn’t make it into the picture as they were an afterthought I added this morning.
4. Do you still panic a little when at 10 pm you suddenly realize you don't have your toddler's lunch ready for tomorrow? Yes!
As for lunches, I never, never leave it for the morning. It’s a must to have her lunch box prepared the night before because the minute you leave it till morning, you are guaranteed to have a disaster of some sort. Every night when I open an empty lunch box I have visions of those creative and colorful lunches some uber-moms put together for their toddlers. Firstly, I’m so tired by the end of the day that I don’t have any mental energy to take the creative route. Secondly, I’m not even sure Lillian would appreciate the effort as so much more exciting stuff goes on around the lunch table. So, for now I simply try to check the staples off the list – protein, carbs and fiber – and balance home-cooked and pre-packaged foods.
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Pic 5: Here’s what I packed last night – squeezable yogurt, cheese stick (I peel open it a bit), cubes of home cooked pork, mini cream cheese sandwiches, “mash-ups” of apple, carrots and mango, and finally strawberries . The latter didn’t make it into the picture as they were an afterthought I added this morning.
These 2 pictures remind me of the “As Seen On Pinterest. Nailed It” collection, where honest attempts to re-create picture-perfect projects are captured to have gone wrong.
Here are some resources you may find helpful in preparing your toddler’s lunchbox:
- http://thefoodinista.wordpress.com/2010/07/19/preschool-packed-lunch-week-in-review/
- http://www.hitherandthither.net/2013/09/toddler-lunches-on-the-go.html
- http://us1.campaign-archive1.com/?u=ed51164a842d82e25b7394983&id=f5da220376&e=8cbdfe38a4
Do you have other morning ideas and tips to share with DN parents?
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