Building a business is hard work. Being a Mom to a toddler is hard work. Combine the two and it feels damn-near impossible.
Every day you wonder how you’ll get anything done when you’re so busy cleaning messes, making snacks, and constantly saving their lives from toilet water and climbing accidents.
I hear you. I’ve got my own toddler to chase while running a business.
Toddlers are at the stage of wanting to do many things themselves, but still needing you close by to supervise (i.e.; make sure they don’t hurt themselves or turn the living room upside down). They have a pretty short attention span and prefer eating rocks and coloring on the walls, to independent play or reading books.
Which begs the question…
How in the world am I supposed to get anything done?
I’m glad you asked.
Let’s go over 5 activities to keep your toddler busy that are (pretty much) mess-free, screen-free, and designed to buy you a little time to work on your business. These have all been tested by me and my high-energy, no-napping (send help), two year-old.
Water Play
You’re rolling your eyes already. I mean, I DID say “mess-free” right? Not to worry! We’re not letting them go crazy with a tub of water or play in the sink (because I tried that.. And I can assure you it is not mess-free).
I just mean throw them in the bathtub. Take your laptop with you, sit on the floor next to the tub, and get some work done while they play! Baths are one of my go-to activities because my kid is contained, having a blast, and within arm’s reach while I plug away at my digital to-do list. In fact, my kid is in the bath right now allowing me to get this blog post written! Fill the bath to a safe level for your kiddo, give them a bunch of cups and fun toys, and you’ll be golden for a solid 20.
Sensory “Sandbox”
Grab a family-sized box of cheerios and dump them into a large plastic container (ideally shallow and rectangular). Use a potato masher or similar tool to grind the cheerios into a fine powder. Add objects like spoons, cups, or little toy cars and your toddler has their own tiny sandbox. And if they eat it, no big deal!
You can do this on the kitchen floor so any mess can simply be swept up afterwards. Or do what I do – lay a big towel or blanket underneath and shake it off outside when they’re done playing. They’ll likely make a little bit of a mess, but the cleanup is super easy and worth the few minutes you’ll have to finally get something done.
Building Blocks
Large building blocks can keep the littles busy for ages. BUT the secret is to keep these blocks special. Store them out of sight and only take them out when you’re looking to get work done. If your child has 24/7 access to them, they’ll just become part of the living room decor and your kiddo won’t bother with them much.
You may already have a set your child has lost interest in (like mine- a huge basket of blocks he hasn’t touched in months except to dump out and wear the basket as a hat). Get a new set with different colors, new vehicles or little people, and make that a special building set your little one gets to use when you need to keep them busy.
Remember to keep them hidden, keep them special and exciting, so when they get a chance to play with them it’ll hold their attention for a bit.
Playdough
The most obvious creative and sensory activity is playdough. With a toddler that still needs to taste everything, though, I suggest using Google to find home-made recipes. This way, if you aren’t watching them like a hawk and they decide to take a bite, it’s okay!
You can buy all kinds of playdough accessories like plastic rolling pins, pizza cutters and stamps. Or just give them tools you already have at home like cookie cutters, straws, and little people to provide more options for creative play. Set them up on a blanket or at the kitchen table to minimize the mess.
Chutes and Tubes
I got this idea from a children’s museum we visited. My toddler was obsessed with putting balls into these PVC tubes and wooden chutes attached to a wall. When we got home, I took to Google and found the easiest way to make a replica at home.
You may want to stock up on a few week’s worth of toilet paper and paper towel tubes for this activity. Then, use painter’s tape to attach them to a wall in different arrangements. Give them colorful pom poms or a ball that fits through and show them how it works. Then, have a seat at your computer and finish that project you’ve been putting off while they have fun. When they’re done, simply peel them off the wall and store them for next time!
As a toddler Mompreneur myself, I know how tricky it can be to work on your business with a little one at your feet. Remember to give yourself (and your toddler) plenty of grace. Their attention spans are still very short and they often need you to keep them safe and content.
Plan your days ahead of time, but allow for flexibility in the event of accidents, mishaps, and general things-not-going-as-planned. Work in small, powerful bursts with the help of activities like these.
And check out our resources section for other helpful tools to aid you on your Mompreneur journey.
Today’s article is written by our fellow mompreneur, Sarah Santoro.
About Sarah
Content & Copywriter
Hi! I’m Sarah, a content and copywriter dedicated to helping fellow Mompreneurs reach more people and make more money.
I was a corporate researcher for almost a decade, connecting clients to businesses they needed for all of life’s challenges. I’d spent thousands of hours scouring the internet for “perfect fit” businesses for my clients and here’s what I learned:
- If anything was missing or unclear on your website, I wouldn’t bother reaching out
- Clients would reject your business based on the website alone
- If your sales content wasn’t a vibe, my client would ask me to find someone else
- Businesses would beg me to put them on a referral list to help bring in clients
It was through all this research and networking that I realized how make or break your words are in the digital world. And I saw a way I could help both business owners and clients find each other with less effort and connect with more meaning.
Through powerful words.
Not knowing what to say or how to say it shouldn’t hold you back from making sales. That’s why I focus on SEO content and copywriting designed to reach your dreamiest clients and sell more of the business you’re so passionate about.
If you’re interested in talking more, you can find me here:
info@irisandinkwell.com