Parenting Hack

       "Hacks" are all the rage these days. The internet allows us to share tips and tricks for how to make life easier. Some of the life hacks I've seen are pretty sketchy, but some have proved quite useful. The parenting hack I'm sharing today is one that Jason and I stumbled upon long before becoming parents. 
       Let me set the scene. We were at Greenfield Village. It was Thomas the Tank Engine day. We didn't know that it was Thomas day when we had decided to attend and we didn't even have any small children with us. The crowds were oppressive, but we made it in and since we had come a distance to visit we stayed. For the most part we avoided the large creepy train (sorry - I've never been a fan), but we were surrounded by children wearing all sorts of Thomas gear. At the end of the day we sat watching the Sir John Bennett clock chime 5:00. Behind us sat a little boy wearing all sorts of Thomas the Tank Engine apparel, holding a Thomas the Tank Engine balloon, and eating an ice cream cone. We overheard his parents talking about how fun it had been to ride on Thomas and see him in action. Including Village admission and swag these parents had probably spent at least $200 on Thomas themed activities that day. Then it happened. The dad asked his little guy this question, "So, what was your favorite part of the day?" Waiting to hear something that including the word "Thomas" the parents were flabbergasted to hear their child say, "Ice cream!" "Ice cream?!" the dad exclaimed in a high and slightly frantic voice, "We could have stayed home and had ice cream!" 

       At that moment I thought, "Note to self. Skip the expensive day out and get ice cream." 
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       Because of that experience we opted to embrace the little moments and opted out of the stress of big events that parents feel pressured to participate in when Logan was very young.
       I don't mean to contradict all the other stuff that I've said about experiencing things, but when it comes to toddlers and preschoolers, save your money for future trips. This doesn't mean they shouldn't go places, just that you shouldn't spend time and money on expensive places they won't truly appreciate. Little ones need to get out and see the world, but they also need naps. This can make activities difficult and exhausting for parents.  Below is a list of activities that are toddler or preschool friendly versions of more extensive activities. 

• Visit the pet store (or Meijer) and watch the fish. The selection matches the attention span of a toddler. Bonus: can double as a zoo visit. Some pet stores have other animals like rodents, reptiles, amphibians, and birds. My son didn't know the animals at the store were for sale until he learned to read. He thought everyone was visiting to see the animals. 
• Visit a local historical site like the Troy Historic Village instead of a major attraction like Greenfield Village. You are much more likely to get your money's worth and won't feel pressured to stay when a meltdown is imminent. 
• Do activities at home that are out of the ordinary. These provide important basis for scientific understanding and vocabulary growth. Make butter by shaking heavy whipping cream in a jar. (Link here for instructions.) Play "Float or Sink?" with a variety of toys and a tub of water. Plant some seeds and check their progress daily. 
• Walk through a nature center or somewhere they can explore nature. If you have time make a scavenger hunt. (Link here) Talk through what you see. You may be surprised. Once, on a walk through a populated river walk in the Joliet area, Logan and I saw a tree that had been recently gnawed down by a beaver. Beavers seemed too exotic for the area, but there it was. Discuss the shade and how the sun changes position in the sky.

       Scientific understanding begins with curiosity about the world around us and curiosity is something toddlers and preschoolers have in spades! Embrace it and while you're at it you can save some money for bigger events when they're older. So relax. Don't worry if you can't make it to all the big events like Sesame Street Live or Thomas the Tank Engine Day. Buy some ice cream and if there's time, stop at the pet store. Adventure on!

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