Help! I am starting a new job next week...

[Amy in NY]

and need ideas to keep kids occupied in the afternoons...besides school work, that is.

Dh will be home (he works from home) with them 3 1/2 days per week while I work. Hopefully this will be just for one year (and my children won't need therapy because of it...;))

Their ages are 10 1/2, 8, 6, 3 and 9 months. What I need is something that dh can let them do with minimal supervision. I am considering cable tv - educational shows only and not for the 9 month old - as an option but don't know if this is worth it. I have no clue what is on tv anymore. I am also thinking of that internet thing some of you have and love but the name is escaping me. NY has something like it that is free but the only shows my kids watch on it are Cyberchase and the Magic School Bus.

Any and all thoughts/ideas are appreciated.

Amy

[GothicGyrl]

You might want to reconsider the 9month old not watching tv. It isn't the "ebil" everyone makes it out to be and Nick Jr. has some awesome shows on in the afternoon for ALL of those ages.

You can try youtubing for those particular shows, but that's not likely to hold their attention. No, I'd get the tv, let them watch it, whatever dad says is fine and let it go. Honestly, your kids aren't going to need therapy for it and DH can handle it. Let HIM decide what should be done. Maybe he doesn't want to do anything. Maybe he just wants play time with them for those hours. Let him have it.

And honestly, give them tv. Even putting them in front of it for 3 hours a day isn't going to rot their brains. Not with all the educational shows out there now.

[Kelli in TN]

I think you are thinking of unitedstreaming. I cannot recommend unitedstreaming enough! I would not just turn them loose with it, though. Take some time in advance each week to pull together the shows you want them to watch, download print the pages that go with them, and put together a schedule.

The nine month old is a whole 'nuther issue! Can he just play at Daddy's feet while Daddy works?

Can the older sibs take turns being the "big kid" for an hour at a time with the little guy? We used to do something like that, where one older kid was the little person's best friend for an hour at a time.

[GothicGyrl]

BWAWAWAWAWA!!! I received a negative for my use of "ebil" --they said "ebil is not a word"...

bwhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha hahahaha!! How's this--"what a maroon".. :)

[Amy in NY]

So I am just getting back to see what, if any advice anyone had...so it seems I should be repeating..."The t.v. is my friend." Actually, I went to the library last night and check out a movie for each day I am at work this week. We'll see how that goes.

And I'm going to look into United Streaming. It's expensive but still cheaper than daycare.;)

Thank you!

Amy

[Karen in CO]

I leave my three (17 - 3 ) each a checklist. I have found that they get into less trouble if they are busy. I am always amazed at what they can accomplish. I put chores, reading, activities, and games on their list. My 3 yo will have things like help your brother match socks, put the toys in the toy box before dinner, pick out two stories for you sister to read to you, draw me a picture, build a castle. The older they are, the more work they get including specific things to help keep the younger occupied.

[Amy in NY]

I leave my three (17 - 3 ) each a checklist.

Not only will they have age appropriate checklists, but I will have one too. I am still figuring out 3 meals/day plus assigning school work for dh to follow through on. He's going to be working at the same time (sales from home) and will have his honey-do list as well. I am hoping to have ways to keep them occupied in case he has to make phone calls or concentrate on a submittal.

The fun starts on Monday.

Thanks,
Amy

[Laurel T.]

I hope that the transition goes well for you...we will be trying it soon. Post an update and let us know what things work for your family. My dh has really taken over the whole nature study thing and the kids love it. Getting them outside seems to help alot. He also does pretty well with art.

[Amy in NY]

Some of you may remember my post in January about how I have to return to work. It has been a rough start - mostly due to the fact that at the end of week #1, I brought home the flu and have not yet recovered. It went through my house with all 5 dc and dh getting it. I am still sick since I never was able to stay home long enough to fully recover. I am finally on an antibiotic as it turned into a wicked sinus infection, probably with bronchitis or pneumonia as well but since I don't have health insurance I didn't go to the doctor. Instead, the doctor I work with graciously wrote me a prescription since I sounded and looked so awful. (You know it's bad when the patients start telling you that they hope you feel better.;) )

So, I still haven't found our school routine yet. I've been leaving lesson plans and assignments with my dh to do with the kids and that has been working well. And I have miraculously managed to stay on top of the meal planning and laundry. What I haven't yet done is incorporate school into my days off and into the evenings as I have been just plum tuckered out. I miss teaching my dc and am hoping to have us into a good groove by April. I'll let you all know how things go as I seem to remember that there are others in this same situation.

Amy

[Jean in Newcastle]

I hope you feel better soon! It sounds like despite the illness, you are doing pretty well if you're able to leave lessons plans and keep up on menu planning and laundry!

[Volty]

Oh no Amy, that sounds awful. :( I certainly hope you and your family get better soon.