Working on it...

Someone needs more of Mommies time these days. I have been trying to be more creative in my parenting approach, and I feel like I am learning new things every day. My husband and I joke that we were perfect parents...until we actually had our own kids! :)
A few things that I have come up with:

1. There is a stop light posted on my fridge! - This is a simple visual device that I'm using to help J stay on track. :) I took a piece of black construction paper with green, yellow, and red circles glued on to look like a stop light. Then I used a clothes pen and clipped it to the side of the "light" that helps J to see where he is at. I also drew a smiley face on the green circle (great day), a strait face on the yellow (warning), and a sad face on the red (not good). J can earn back a green light with good behavior...or a nap. :) This tool has really helped.

2. The schedule - This is also posted on the fridge. On another piece of construction paper I wrote out J's day. Wake up, get dressed, eat breakfast, table work (preschool activity), free play, lunch, book, nap, etc. I also drew pictures next to each activity since J can't read yet. Then I use a clothes pin to clip on the paper and move it to point to the activity that we are on. I did not put times on the schedule...J does not know time yet either, and I don't want to be held to that strict of a schedule!
3. A shopping list - can you tell I have a visual child! (I'm the same way though, and yet have no picture of this!) I was having a hard time getting my very active little boy sit still while I shop. So I created a shopping list for him to hold on to. We have turned shopping into a fun game of I Spy. Before we go shopping I write out a few of the things that we need to look for in the store and draw pictures to go with each item. This is a great way to talk about colors, shapes, and letters while out. I put this list in a plastic page protector to keep it "safe" through the trip.
If you don't like to draw just use clip art from your computer. Children don't care if your not the worlds greatest artist. They are just happy that they get to play a game!

When all else fails a 50 cent ride at the end of the shopping trip usually does the trick. ;)