How can I manage a home, school, and a three year old? Not enough time in the day, how do I get more?
96005
Wow.  You take me back.  I had to handle school and four children from age 2 1/2 to 7.  It was a long time ago - 25 years.  And I was younger.  But I know how you feel.  I always thought "when I have the time, I'm going to have a nervous breakdown, because I deserve it."  Funny, huh.  \n\nTry to make sure you get enough sleep.  Without it, school is so much harder.  See if you can get help with babysitting.  I wasn't aware til my last year in school that the state would have paid for babysitting for me.  See if you can talk to a counselor there and find out all the programs you qualify for that might give you some help.  Enlist any friends or family and don't feel guilty about it.\n\nI felt a lot like I was not giving enough attention to my kids, and maybe I wasn't.  But now they have children of their own and they grew up ok.  \n\nTake some deep breaths.  Know you can do it.  And that it too will pass.  (I wondered at the time if that light at the end of the tunnel was really an oncoming train.  It just didn't seem to end.)\n\nGood luck to you.  And, in a funny way, thanks for reminding me of things I have been through.  I admire you greatly.  By comparison, the things that are going on in my life right now do not seem so bad at all.
1089360
Pre-school is about play, naps and socialising. They are all so under staffed that I advocate home schooling.
65148
I am a nanny for a child with ADD, I don't think full time school is the option for him, but I'd look into your local government to see what they can do for helping you find a home worker, or work at home nanny that will come in and help the child.  The mother of the children I look after is a single mother as well, and she couldn't cut back her hours at her job without losing it all together, so she hired me, between the two of us, we are able to meet his needs, and he is much happier, and doing much better in his school work now that he goes to school.  If you can't afford someone like that, talk to anyone you can, at the school, your doctors, your mp and so on to find out if you can get help paying for someone to come to your house.  The one on one attention for your child would be very beneficial.  The main thing is to keep him in a schedule that he can anticipate every day, same people, same events, same timing, this will be very crucial in his world.\n\nPS If you are looking for a nanny type stable person that is flexible with your hours, talk to your school, and even a local church, they sometimes know of many young women of about 20-30 that love to work with children, especially those needing a bit of extra help that would rather work with children than go into the work force.  I wish you well.  :)
928703
Read, read, read, read, read.  Play, play, play -  but try to do it together.  You can even include your other kids and spouse.\n\nMy son loved books and never got enough.  My partner typically spends 30-60 minutes right before bedtime with both kids.  He learned everything at a very young age.  He also enjoys a lot of the leap-pad, leap-frog, etc educational learning toys and videos.\n\nMy niece had the same problem, where the father was non-existant and didn't really care, and the mother was "too busy".  But that didn't mean that she wasn't interested, and on the rare holidays would love the attention we would lavish on her reading books and explaining things like how planets moved and why there were seasons.\n\nUndoubtedly, anything you do, so long as you show an interest should appeal to your step son, who probably is not used to the attention, and would welcome some interaction.  Just make sure too to have patience with the understanding that he didn't get the benefits that your other kids have had at a young age.
175420
This is a great age because everything is such a new and unique experience and they are learning so much every day.  Some ideas:\n\n--Play games involving memory skills, alphabet, numbers, vocabulary.  Have scavenger hunts to have them find red items or items beginning with B, etc.\n\n--Play age-appropriate board games like Candyland or Memory Match\n\n--Color in coloring books\n\n--Look for homeschool oriented activity books for the age.  Walmart usually has fun stuff that isn't very expensive.  Or make your own "activity sheets"\n\n--Get physical--play games that involve jumping, dancing, stretching.  Simon Says is a great one  for this, or Follow the Leader or Hide and Seek.\n\n--Get them involved in doing simple things to help you with your chores like sorting laundry, cleaning up toys etc.  Find ways to make it into a game.\n\n--Bake cookies and let them help decorate the cookies\n\n--Read, read, read, lots of storybooks.  \n\n--for times when you need some "mommy time" videos/DVDs can't be beat.  There's lots of educational stuff out there, too.  My nephews love PBS kids shows and you can get compilations of them.\n\nHere's some websites with some more ideas:\n\nhttp://www.dmoz.org/Kids_and_Teens/Pre-School/\n\nhttp://www.perpetualpreschool.com/
244196
To start off, make sure the clothes you want to wear for the next day are laid out.  Also make sure your books, etc. for school are on a table near the door and all together.  My son has a routine.  He gets up and dressed, eats his breakfast, then goes to the bathroom to finish getting ready (hair, teeth, etc).  He's ready to walk out the door in less then 30 minutes.  If you are fixing something for breakfast that has to be cooked, start it and while it is cooking, fix your hair, wash your face, do whatever you can while waiting.  I hope this helps.  Also, it may help to take a shower the night before instead of waiting until the morning
644581
Find another stay at home mom in your area to spend time with - preferably one with a car so you can all get out of the house sometimes.  You may even be able to trade babysitting and get yourself some time alone during the day - even an hour or two will make a difference.  Don't be afraid to ask for help from neighbours and friends on occasion.  If my neighbour knocked on my door and said she was burnt out from dealing with a two year old all the time, I would gladly babysit for an afternoon.\n\nFrustrated, burnt out, tired mommies are not effective parents.  Make sure you're eating properly and getting enough sleep, at the very least.  Try to take your child for a walk every day, no matter what the weather.  The exercise is good for both of you.\n\nRead to your child - it doesn't have to be a book he/she is interested in.  Some kids just want the attention and like the sound of their mommy's voice while falling asleep.  You can read anything you want, as long as the content isn't inappropriate.  When I couldn't handle another reading of Where The Wild Things Are, my son often went to sleep listening to me read Carl Sagan or Robertson Davies.\n\nAbove all else, keep in mind that the terrible twos won't last forever - before you know it your little one will be grown up and gone away.  Enjoy your child as much as you can while you have him at home.
86213
the sooner the better.  of course, they're not going to have the best dextarity when they're younger--but it doesn't hurt to start them out early.  a lot of people think that other eager parents "push" their kids.  this is quite the contrary.  babies/toddlers/small children love to learn, they don't look at it like a chore or a burden.  while they are very young their little minds are like sponges and they pick up more than what you think.  my 3 year old is able to write the alphabet and never once has he complained when i work with him.  you just have to keep in mind their attention spans.  start out with a couple minutes at a time, a couple times a day.  they will think it's fun and it incorporates a good value of education for them.  don't just stop there though with writing; if you have the time and the willingness you can also teach them math and number values.  anyone that says that this is not "good" for you kids, to let them have a "normal childhood" is not taking advantage of this window of time when children are very eager to learn. keep in mind that this is what kids love and "want" to do. if they can pick up little things from watching tv, why not have them pick up facts and figures?  just make things fun and they will literally be begging you to teach them more.
173827
be sure to find a few minutes a day for 'you' time.  get a cup of coffee/tea and a goofy magazine that has nothing to do with what you are studying.  then allow yourself about 15 minutes a day to enjoy these things.  this system helps me deal with work, job and 3 kids, so maybe it will help you!
961559
3 year old boy- try getting him one of those "sit-n-spins!" Little kids love them, and it would calm him down a little!\n\n8 year old girl- try getting her a cook-book for little kids! She could help out in the kitchen and make easy things. \n\nGood luck! =)
833827
This is all very normal. I have three kids. Try to find a babysitter. Family or Friends and get some down time. Go out with your friends. A mini vacation on the weekend. You need to get out and get loose and vent a little with your friends. It wll do you a world of wonder.\n\nGood Luck!
633808
It takes time, but it can be done. Have her stay up a little longer each day like 15 - 30 minutes. Then get up a little earlier the next day, the same amount of time.
591782
I'm going to try to keep all my ideas low cost and easy...if you're a stay at home mom these might work better than if you're not.  Though you might be able to get your childcare provider to do these things as well.\n\n1. Check out your local library!  They often have great things going on for the summer.  My son now 12 is an avid reader particaly becasue he got interested in the summer reading programs at the libray.  They usually have a program where kids read books and get starts or stickers or something like that to put in a book.  Sometimes there are draws and prizes and parties involved.  I find these really help boys by getting the competitive juices going...who can read the most books by the end of the summer.  Don't worry if he gravitates to books that are too young for him...any reading he does is good, builds word recognition and speed and comprehension.  You may luck out and find a series he likes...look for "The Magic Tree House" books, they might be about his level.  Then they want to read them all as fast as they can.\n\n2.Grocery Shopping...you have to do it anyway so make it special.  Have him help you make the list...maybe he can even write it out!  When you're shopping let him help you find things. Pick 2 "special treats" from the bakery to have when you get home and the groceries are put away.  Make a big deal out of it...set the table, light a candle.  \nNow a word of warning.  Grocery shopping with kids can be rough as they want every unhealthy expensive thing they see.  But by allowing him to choose one special thing you make that a bit easier.  And all kids need to learn that they can't have everything.  Once they get use to it the tantrums over the jumbo box of oreos will stop.  UNLESS you give into them...then it gets worse since they see it works.\n\n3. Plan a picnic.  You can combine this with the grocery shopping too.  You can take a picnic to a park...or maybe meet up with Dad at work.  \n\n4. 2 words...water balloons...don't forget to participate fully yourself. Kids don't see mom having fun as often as they sould...mine included.\n\n5. This may cost a bit but maybe it will fit into the budget...visit some of your local tourist attactions...a historical home, a zoo, an art gallery.\n\n6. Plant a garden...you may already do that but maybe you can give him a little corner for himself or dig up a separate spot for him.  \n\n7. Are you religious? Christian? look for a "Vacation Bible School" in your area.\n\n8. Check out the website below.  They update it monthy with cool stuff to do with your pre-school/Elemantary and teenage kids.  In the upper right hand side of the page find the paper and pencil to subscribe to get updates mailed to you monthy!\n\nI'll edit this as I think of more.
1089720
Who is the boss ?  YOU ARE.  Dont let them rule your life.  Let them know there are consequences for not doing as they are told.  Toys that dont get picked up, get thrown in the trash and make them put them there.  I bet things will change then.  Discipline is key and children need and crave it.  Schedules are important.  There should NEVER be an argument with your children especially at this age.  What YOU say goes.........Get strong.  Good luck.
234018
use a moving clock and pictures of things the kids relate to, comparing the activity to the time it occurs - eg, picture of person easting lunch, show 12:00, going to bed 20:00 etc.
440019
Take a chilcare class or two and watch a few children in your home.  Then you can turn it into a daycare.  Also, look into becoming a nanny.
925431
girl you can do it let me tell you my daughter has 2 children a10 year old and a6 year old,my daughter goes to school full time she has a part time job,she also has a work study job and she also looks out for her grandmother who is in a nursing home,if you are a strong woman you can do anything you just have to manage your time and don't wear yourself out,but anything worth having is worth working hard for.You will find the time for everything you have to do just don't stress so much about it, all that does is make things worse, so just take it easy breath and remember you can do it believe in yourself.