Overcomplicate

Sometimes as parents we over complicate things. For instance, today my goal was to do the dishes. I thought that I could accomplish this while my one year old fed herself breakfast. Half way through  the task, she declared she was done. This would usually mean she can get out of the highchair and be allowed to run free around the living room. However, I knew if I left her unattended to do dishes I would have to stop at least ten times to make sure she wasn’t stacking random objects to create a makeshift ladder or whatever new clever idea she would come up with. As all parents know, you can make a home as safe as possible and a toddler will still find a way to get into something. Therefore I decided it was best to appease her while still trapped in the high chair.

I quickly cleaned breakfast off her face, hand and clothes. Then I thoroughly cleaned the highchair with her still in it. I rushed to the living room with a magnetic drawing board in mind. Surely this will entertain her long enough so I can finish the dishes. I grab it and hand the toy over to the baby and returned to sink feeling triumphant. Two minutes later, it crashes to the floor with a loud ruckus. My shoulders slumped in defeat.

Off to the living room again I went, drying my hands as I walked. I was determined to finish the dishes before work. The first toy I see is a light up pop it. I thought the activity along with the lights and sounds would work in my favor. She smiled up at me, eager to play as she took the toy. I returned to the dishes hopefull and determined. Three cups and one plate  later and the toy crashed to the ground. My wheels turned for a better solution, just ten more minutes and the task would be completed. I saw a metal cup and spoon next to me. Desperate and out of ideas I handed her both of them. She lit up with glee and wonder. She practiced drinking from the cup and eating from the spoon. She explored different ways of putting the spoon into the cup and saw how some ways it would not fit.  And of course she discovered she can bang them together and make lots of noise. I not only finished the dishes but she happily allowed me to sweep the floors as well.

Kids don’t always need busy toys and flashy things. Sometimes they just need a cup and a spoon, a pan works great as well 😄.  I forget that even my older children often get the most enjoyment from simple activities. For instance, one of their favorite things to do is to have a family movie night. All of us pile in the living room and watch a movie while eating  popcorn. An inexpensive family fun night that always brings laughter and cheers. In today’s modern society that offers an abundance of distractions we often forget it’s the simplest ones that are the best.