A daily routine for your toddler!

Sometimes you have such a day, then it really turns out differently….

Most toddlers tend to chart their own course. They are bursting with energy and curiosity to discover the world. The world that has suddenly become very small in times of the Corona Crisis. But that energy of your toddler wants to get out, with the result that he or she wakes up nice and early. And where you probably prefer to start your day quietly with a cup of coffee or a relaxing shower, your toddler has probably already dressed up 3 times as a pirate, princess or tiger, built 2 towers and knocked over "hard hey mom" and wants to they now prefer to listen to the 'hokie pokie'.

Once your toddler is finally seated at the breakfast table and you retreat to the toilet for a MOMENT—yes, even childcare workers do that sometimes ;)—you hear a milk cup tip over in the living room and sprinkles raining down on the floor.

My advice?

Take a deep breath and be kind to yourself!
Forget your to-do list and leave it alone.
Give your children the Ipad or turn on the television and have coffee, lots of coffee!
Do you feel guilty? So what! Adjust your expectations.
There is no such thing as the perfect parent, nor does it have to be. You just can't always keep all the balls in the air and let's take good care of each other in addition to taking good care of ourselves.

If you, as a parent, also like to have days with a kind of rhythm, you might find the following useful:

Wake up, wash and dress.
Having breakfast. Let your toddler spread their own sandwich; toddlers enjoy being allowed to do something 'by themselves' and this keeps them occupied for a while ;) Additionally, toddlers often really enjoy helping. This gives them the feeling that they are 'grown up'.
Play.
- Stimulate independent play with your toddler by choosing something together. Help your toddler on his way and then say that you are going to 'do something for yourself'. Some children do this more easily than others. You know your own child best, so know what to expect. It also helps to alternate playing together with independent play.
Fruit and something to drink.
Go outside for a walk, in the garden or inside for a nice movement to music.
Lunch
Young toddlers often go to sleep after lunch. You probably know to what extent your child needs this, but even if your toddler no longer sleeps it is nice to build in a moment of rest in a day. Toddlers absorb a lot of stimuli during the day and it is nice for them to have the space to process this. Sometimes this is by resting as we are used to at daycare, but this can also be a good time to read a book together. Would you also like a moment of rest? You can also turn on an audiobook for your toddler via the Storytel app.
Snack and something to drink.
To craft. Pinterest is packed with the most creative ideas! But toddlers especially enjoy discovering what they can do with the material. So grab an apron and get some paint, brushes and paper ready and see through the eyes of your little artist.
Cleaning up and preparing for dinner. You can also involve your toddler here. You are sometimes amazed at what they can do at this age. And a popular saying at home is: “you will learn from trying”.
After dinner, it's time to end the day with your toddler.
- Some children have more time or need for this than others, but for all children and people, a sleeping ritual means that they fall asleep more peacefully.
- And then hopefully you as a parent can also enjoy some “chill time”.