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Although there are plenty of summer activities to keep kids occupied, sometimes you will need to look after them around the house. As a parent, this is something you look forward to as it gives you the chance to watch them grow and learn from the safety and comfort of your home. However, if you have kids of different ages, it can be tricky to find something they can both do and enjoy. Even a small age difference can cause some problems, so here is some advice to make sure they both have fun.
Encourage the Older Kid to Help
Asking your older child to help dictate the play is an excellent way to teach them more responsibility, especially if you need to divide your time between supervising your kids and working or completing chores around the house.
Immediately, you’ll give them a job to do. As kids of all ages love to feel trusted, they should take it seriously and may come up with games or activities to play with their younger brother or sister.
However, you must be careful that you don’t put too much responsibility on them. At the end of the day, they are still a child and should have the chance to play, too.
Strive to Offer One-to-One Time
If your kids are on the younger side, you can make the most of any naps they take during the day. Although some kids can get through the day without taking a break, others will get cranky and restless. Putting them down for a quick hour means you can spend some much-needed one-to-one time with their siblings.
With this, you won’t feel like you’re ignoring your other kids. If one of them is old enough to understand why you need to spend time with each child separately, they will be happy to do their own thing once your other kids wake up.
Balance Activities
Balancing activities is also an excellent way to ensure everyone has fun. As your kids are of different ages, they are likely to have different interests. That being said, threw are a few things you can do that should appeal to both of them.
Kids love palsy, so a trip to the park is a good idea, especially if you have a double stroller for infant and toddler, so it’s easier to get them there and back. Parks are fun for kids no matter how old they are, so while one plays in the jungle gym, the younger one can enjoy the sand pit.
The park is just one example, and you can even find possible activities around the house. Tablet or phone games are useful, although it’s not something you should rely on at all times. Your kids might even be happy to watch TV for an hour as they wind down and wait for dinner.
Finding the Balance
Encouraging your kids to play nicely together can be challenging, especially when one gets older and finds that the games they used to love are too immature for them. However, with these tips, you’ll find your kids will play nicely more often, and they might even develop a stronger bond as siblings.
Kori
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