We can top the list with you guys. Do you know amazing it is to feel so frustrated with a situation that you’re about to pull your hair out then have over 65 women/men/moms/educators weigh in with ideas? Let me tell you, it’s awesome. I should probably clarify though that I have zero opinion on how much TV your family should watch. Some of you have never turned it on and some watch a bit more each day. You do you! I’m just grateful for all your comments with ideas to help me in this frustrating situation. In fact, the first thing I’m loving today comes directly from Julie and Colleen (thanks ladies!).
TV Tokens/Tickets
This was one of those ideas that when I heard I just thought YES. The concept is that Hailey will get two TV tokens a day. She can use them anytime she’d like, but once they are gone, they are gone (until the next day). I think this will work incredibly well for Hailey because it gives her a visual and control. I also like that it takes the pressure off me, as it is no longer mean mom saying no. Instead, I’ll ask her if she has a TV token, If so, awesome, and if not, then no TV.
It’s simple and I love it. In conjunction with coloring some TV tokens yesterday, I also revamped Hailey’s art supplies into categorized bins.
Preschooler Art Bins
Each one is a different theme. From left to right we have Coloring (markers, crayons, stickers, highlighters), Cut & Paste (glue, sparkly glue- her favorite, scissors), Paint (paint, brushes and dot paint) and Play-Doh (the dough, cookie cutters and straws).
Hailey was psyched when she saw these and went to town with the cut and paste bin. She didn’t even ask to watch TV she was so excited, which worked out nicely as I took TV away all day yesterday in response to her pretty epic meltdown at lunch over, you guessed it, asking for TV. My plan now is that when the TV tokens are gone or she’s looking for something to do, I can tell her to pick something out of the activity cabinet!
I’m pretty pumped right now about the plan, but I’ll be sure to report back on how it works in real life.
Let’s see what else…
Prana
I was sent a pair of these Prana capri pants to try out. Ever since my maternity fitness capri pants ripped (I don’t know why; I’d only been wearing them for four years…), I only had my one pair of Lululemon wonder unders. Obviously they got washed a lot so I was psyched to try a new-to-me capri and I LOVE them.
I got them in charcoal, which is a nice switch up from black, and they are thick enough that I’m certain they aren’t see-through when I’m squatting and doing bear crawls at bootcamp (which SO many workout pants are). I swore I took more pictures, but evidently I was sidetracked by this nifty pocket in the wide waist band (a non-negotiable for my workout pants) that is perfect to fit a key or credit card (or half a cellphone while running errands and trying to hold a baby, which is so helpful!).
Anthropologie
Let’s be honest, I just want my entire house to look and feel like the inside of this store. So cozy/colorful/boho chic.
But what I really love most is this candle. In full disclosure, I’ve never actually bought it myself because I can’t wrap my head around paying $30 for a candle, but man, I sniff the heck out of every chance I get.
I’m a little nervous on how exactly to use facebook and twitter moves so darn fast that I feel like I can’t keep up sometimes, but instagram? It’s my jam!
I have to return to preschool land for this last one, because I am loving
Library Read Along Books and CDs
Our library has an entire section of book/cd combos and Hailey is at the perfect age to start using them. We picked up two earlier this week and have been listening to them nonstop on all car rides (I can recite George from memory now without faltering). I just pop in the CD and hand Hailey the book. She follows along and turns the pages when she hears the ‘ding.’ We are headed back soon to pick up some new ones- LOVE.
Wow, a whole ‘loving’ post with no food included. That might be a first! Should I mention it’s pizza night? Does that count? 🙂
Share with me…
What are you loving lately?
Brynn says
Anthro is the bane of my existence, ugh! I want it alllll. I have been loving the warmer weather and watching all of the blooms pop around my yard.
Karen says
First, let me say I love your humor!
As for the art cabinet, that’s my go to also when TV is done for the day. My three year old daycare child loves art.
I also love that Hailey reads PAPER books. Many kids I find now a days dont even know what a book is unless it’s on a tablet. So sad in my eyes, but it’s a new age I suppose.
Have a great weekend:)
Lindsey @ Simply Lindsey says
The TV tokens are such a great idea!! Lately, I’m loving a lot of YouTube beauty vloggers. They’ve been so helpful to learn how to fill in eyebrows and do other makeup techniques.
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
Anthro gives me a serious case of the I-Wanna’s. I just try to stay away. 🙂
I LOVE the TV tokens idea…genius! I may borrow this for my son.
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says
I don’t have kids but those TV Tokens are genius. And I’m with ya on Instagram being the best social platform!
Heather@hungryforbalance says
TV Token- I love it! It would give them a sense of autonomy with their choice and provide natural consequences! Genius!
I am new to Instagram; still working on using it frequently.
I am loving long walk in the spring time beauty- when its not raining!
Liv @ Healthy Liv says
Ahhh I love Anthropologie but I usually can’t justify actually buying much there since everything costs an arm and a leg! I did get a really cute apron and a kitchen pot holder there, but that’s about it so far 🙂
Abby says
I haven’t read through the comments on your TV post, so maybe somebody else already said this, but I just wanted to let you know that the TV problem (for me) has gotten easier as my kids get older. My oldest watched a lot more TV when she was three and it was just baby sister, who couldn’t really play on her level yet. Now that my kids are 6, 4, and 3 they often don’t even have time for TV… they are so involved in their play together, making up stories and pretending and dressing up and running around and doing Barbies and crafts and dollies, etc. etc. etc.! With girls especially there are just so many options when they grow to the point where they are playing on the same level. Many times up to a week will go by where we don’t turn on the TV. And they don’t miss it. So I just wanted to say that it gets better 🙂
Also my youngest, who is 3, is in that phase where she is fighting me for control over everything. It sounds like maybe with Hailey that is part of what is happening? Just fighting for control? I just wanted to say also that has been so typical of the three-year-old age, in my experience. And it does pass! I used to worry with my oldest that she was turning into a brat but now that I have seen it happen three times I realize it is just part of the age and development. In fact, I listened to a really great podcast yesterday:
http://www.thisinspiredlife.net/2014/10/006-child-development-identity-with-maryruth-hackett/
It is about the stages of development in childhood. MaryRuth Hackett actually says in this podcast that if your child is exerting her will at age 3, that actually means you have done a good job with her! It is developmentally normal for her to be testing boundaries with regard to exerting her own opinion, and if she is doing that it means you have successfully helped her to feel secure and autonomous. It was really reassuring for me to hear that, so I just wanted to share!!
We love the audio books too! Those have been invaluable this year for keeping my 3-year-old busy while I homeschool the older two! Thank goodness for the library 🙂
Sorry for the long comment! I love your blog!!
Kathy says
Love the TV token idea. I hope it will work out well for you. What am I loving now? SPRING! 🙂
Brittany says
TV tokens! What a cute idea! I love all of Anthropologie items for the home too..love too much!
Carol says
I don’t have kids, just a zilliion nieces and nephews.
Growing up, the TV only went on at night… during the day, we were at school, or outside playing, or inside reading, playing games, & helping Mom.
9:00 was bedtime and off we went!
Wasn’t till I got to high school, my friends use to imitate some cartoon characters on daytime TV, I thought I was raise in a different era. Never knew those characters.
Till this day, my TV goes on at night. I can’t justify day time programs.
As a former teacher, I think with kids, I’d schedule TV programs that were appropriate then off goes the TV. Some days it may be 2 shows, other days more depending on if the family is at home.
No need for TV when there isn’t an appro. worthwhile program.
So the child knows when their show is on. It seems the begging is because she feels no control. I’ll bet if she could see more TV (her shows) it wouldn’t be such a big thing.
I’m opposed to TV in a child’s bedroom !!! My nieces got it in 3rd grade, one wasn’t really interested, the other turned it on AFTER parents went to bed.
Also, it isolates the child in their room, not with family.
the coupon idea sounds great, but once again….for the programs you feel appro.
good topic !
Marnie @ SuperSmartMama says
I need to get my son’s art supplies organized. He loves his art supplies — and we go through phases. Right now we are all about “twistables” (a Crayola invention of course). No thank you to crayons, colored pencils, markers, etc. He just wants to draw with twistables.
I am so going to try those TV tokens!!
Heather says
TV Tokens?? This is a brilliant idea! I also like how you have different activity bins for Hailey to choose from. I think this is something my preschooler would enjoy as well. I loved audio books when I was a kid, only back then they were records.
Things I’m loving lately… probably too many avocados. I literally cannot get enough and have 1 almost every day.
I’m really loving our warmer weather, though. We’re back down into the 40s next week, but 60s and 70s have been amazing. I’m gearing up for an awesome summer!
Giselle says
I’m right there with you on Anthropologie. It’s my guilty pleasure 🙂 That candle is amazing! I love the idea of TV tokens. My son (almost 4) went through a stage where he was really annoying about television and was asking all the time. We’ve finally gotten to a point where he knows he only gets to watch one T.V. show a day and play on his leap pad for a short time. Now that the weather is warmer he doesn’t care as much about technology which has made a huge difference. I’ll have to rememeber these tokens though when it starts to get bad again! AND thank you for the reminder to clean out his art cabinet…
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says
I love the idea of those TV tokens! Blog comments have helped me with so many things. It’s wonderful. And yes, if my entire house looked like the inside of an Anthro store I’d be a very happy girl!
christina says
slurge and buy the candle!!! it burns for a long time and is so worth it. i have it and since i’m stuck indoors because of the rain, i think i’ll light it up!! 🙂 have a great weekend!
Alyssa @ Life of bLyss says
OMG, when I managed Anthropologie, I bought SO MANY Volcano candles. Absolutely adore them, and I have a huuuge stock from the day I quit. Hahah.
I’m loving SPRING and my return to cardio! Whoop!
chelsey says
LOVE the TV tokens idea!!!!
Sherri @ Adventures of Love and Marriage says
The TV tokens and activity cabinet ideas are brilliant! Thank you for sharing these two ideas that were given to you. I am totally stealing 🙂
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries says
Excellent idea with the TV tokens! I’ll have to keep that in mind if TV (or anything) becomes an issue down the road. I also love your activity cabinet idea. I’m gonna steal that one too! 😉
Julia @ LordStillLovesMe says
I really enjoy the TV token idea! I just commented on your other post on what my parents did with me while I was growing up, and it is along similar lines as this. I hope it works for you and Hailey!
Happy pizza night Brittany!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
Instagram is my FAVORITE social media platform! It’s so fun and easy to stay up with. I’m honestly a bit bored with Twitter and do not use it very frequently…
Katie says
Love the token idea and the activity cabinet! Way to go!! As for the candle….next time you need a serious pick me up, I would splurge. Imagine how relaxing it would be to light even for a few minutes in the comfort of your home.
Colette says
I had a glass of wine to celebrate making it through the week at 5:00 and thought to myself – I wonder if Britnay is having one too, ha! Love the TV token idea, definitely need to remember that for when Reese gets a little older. And Instagram is definitely the best and most addicting firm of social media! Love it!
Amy says
I love the token idea! I wonder if two is too young for that? I could try. My daughter is sort of volatile so she might just go nuts haha yay two year olds!
Kristine @ Kristine's Kitchen says
I love those art bins! It’s such a great idea to separate them by category – I’ve always just thrown random things in one bin but the organizer in me loves your way!