I was wondering if anyone has suggestions for me. I have 2 boys, one is 3 1/2 and the youngest just turned 1. I would like to spend more time doing activities and teaching my older son things but I feel like everything I might do the younger one is just going to be left out and crying for my attention. Also, does anyone have a schedule they follow at home like they might at a daycare or anything. Want to keep my boys busy and to get them away from the television. I am very bad about turning on the TV when I don't have something else planned! I know it is my fault but, do not know what else to do. Please help!

My suggestion to you is to spend individualized attention with them when you can. If they both take a nap at the same time, maybe you can do it when your husband is home. When my 2 year old is napping, I work with my almost 5 year old. When my oldest is at school, I work with my 2 year old. Devising a routine is a good idea. They have meals, nap & bath time at almost the same time every day. However, I don't think you need a daycare type schedule. Turn the tv off and get out books, puzzles, blocks or whatever your boys like to do. When the weather permits, we go outside as much as possible.

My girls have the same age difference.. It was hard. I'll admit now that they are 3 & 5 it's easier... Here's some things that might help.

Coloring~ I put a plastic table cloth down and held my little on while the older one worked indepentantly.

Play-doh~ same thing

Puzzles~ we would all sit down on the floor, I had peg ones when they were little and then graduated up based on skill.

Blocks~ we would all sit down on the floor my little one would chew on them while big sis would stack them up then little on would knock over.

Shape sorter~ It's fun to watch the younger ones watch and then one day be able to do it themselves.

Read~ We read a ton of books everyday and still do.. My 3 yr old read a book the otherday.. all memorized of course but that's how many time shes heard it.

Before the preschool days started, we would get up eat breakfast, get dressed play together for a couple of hours, then the little one was ready for her morning nap. While she was napping I had time to spend with my older one. On the days she wanted to play independantlly I was able to get things done or get on here

After nap time we would play, read until lunch time. After lunch I allowed them one show - My girls didn't know their shows were on TV.. I had movies for them, when it was over it was turned off. They didn't know they could watch it all day

Somehow everyday, dinner got made, the house got picked up and laundry was done.. I would just take the 5 minutes I had to get something done. Clean the toilet, change a load of wash.

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Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!

It does take a while to get adjusted. My kids are two years appart (2 & 4). I agree with all the suggestions posted above.

Also we have a box for my oldest with older kids toys. When my 2 yrs old takes her nap in the afternoon we take out that box. It's special time with my 4yrs old.

Don't worry about the TV. It's normal nowadays that kids watch a certain amount of educational shows. My kids learn alot with Dora for exemple. The thing is to find moments for the TV and moments for other things. For exemple, we watch TV in the morning (it gives me time to get dressed and pick up the house). Then again after lunch (again to do some pick up). Sometimes they will watch another show before supper, depends on the days.

I don't have a schedule like a daycare but we have a routine. As your little one grows it will get easier.

Good luck

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Marie - SAHM of DS Benjamin (april 2004) and DD Rose (march 2006).

I have two kids, a 9 month old daughter and a 3 year old boy. We spend as much time as we can outside. Going for walks, gardening (a.k.a playing in the dirt), local park...the fresh air is great for them and wipes them out, energy wise. Check out your local community centre for daily activites, swimming or parent groups that get togther to do fun things during the day. Social activities good for you and the kids.

How about any indoor play grounds in your area? Just an idea. Think about the things you used to do as a kid, what was fun?

Mine are 22 months apart so I am right there with you. One thing that I learned was that the younger one is happy with a box of crayons and paper while I work with the older one. When we do arts & crafts, I choose things that dd(4) can do independently and then I help ds(2) with the same project. We all sit at the kitchen table with me in the middle.

We don't have a set schedule, but more of a routine that we follow.

It does get easier as the younger one becomes a little more independent.

Oh, & wow, 2 boys. I am just learning about boys and how much different they are from girls. I couldn't imagine having 2 of them at this age!