House of Dorough

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TIPS FOR THRIVING WITH 2 KIDS AT HOME

I’m literally sitting here on my couch, listening to Emaline sing “Into the Unknown” from frozen 2 as loud as she possibly can on the back porch. Fully aware that she’s doing this for attention but here’s the thing: I’m trying to pick my battles wisely, considering it’s day 2 of self quarantine and we’ve got a long road ahead of us. it’s 12:30pm.
Here are a few tips I’ve gathered, 2 days in this is sure to change but we gotta start somewhere!

1. Activities - Emaline needs a lot of brain stimulation so I have a stockpile of games, crafts, books and worksheets to keep her occupied
2. Screen time - if you know me, you know E started watching Sesame Street at 2 months old and I have #noregrets - so we have built in movie and tv time because hi, we also need our sanity and it’s all about balance
3. Structure - we need some sort of structure every morning or else things go awry. That being said, a simple plan that can be flexible is perfect
4. Let it go - no seriously, I’m trying to teach myself to let it go. Mud on the floor? Marker on the rug? Let. It. Go. 
5. Things like bathtime, outside time, lunch time, etc can be great time fillers... make the lunch time fun and take it outside. Use bubbles and have a sing off at bathtime. Do normal activities outside when possible.

Here are links to the items we’ve been utilizing frequently right now that are still available quickly, along with some ideas I saw and ordered for us to try (I am so excited about the diy nails!!)

As always, thank you for shopping my links - I will get a small percentage of every sale if you use my links to shop.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Sportspower My First Trampoline (Amazon) This has been a LIFE SAVER to help keep the girls occupied and also get a lot of energy out.

Little Tikes Climb and Slide Trampoline (Target)

Little Tikes Inflatable Jump 'n Slide Bounce House w/heavy duty blower (Amazon) - another great front or backyard activity to get the little ones out of the house! (Target)

Sidewalk Chalk (Amazon) (Target)

Bubble Wands (Amazon) (Target)

Indoor

Arts & Crafts

64 Count Crayola Crayons (Amazon) (Target)

Sticker by Number Portfolio (Target)

I Love Fashion Sketch Portfolio (Amazon) (Target)

Crayola Colored Pencils (Amazon) (Target)

Not quite an arts & crafts item, but Bath Bubbles!

Games

Hoyle’s Kids Fun Pack Card Games (Amazon) (Target)

Connect 4 (Amazon) (Target)

Candy Land (Amazon) (Target)

Jenga (Amazon) (Target)

Learning Activities

Butterfly Growing Kit (Amazon)

Trace Letters of the Alphabet (Amazon) (Target)

Learn to Read (Amazon)

Preschool Math Ages 2-4 (Amazon)

Preschool Basics (Amazon) (Target)

Phonics for Kindergarten (Amazon)

Puzzles

Chuckle & Roar 4 Pk Jigsaw Puzzles (Target)

Disney Frozen 4X24 Puzzles (Amazon)

Dreampark Wooden Puzzles (Amazon)