After breakfast almost every morning, my children have “room time”.
They all go into their rooms, with the gate up and music on to play independently. That means the girls are in their room together and Will is in his room.
While Mommy and Daddy have some quiet time to clean, have uninterrupted conversations, or just sit and relax.
Room time was an important practice that I started when the girls were toddlers.
I wasn’t very consistent with establishing a room time routine with Will. He cried and I couldn’t bear listening to him.
But now with Keith home, we are training him. We started last week putting him into his room with the gate up and play music on. He was given his Little People Toys out of his closet to play with.
He cried and fussed about it a little while the first couple of times, but now he doesn’t complain about it much at all.
Now he is up to actually enjoying 30 minutes of straight room time and we are going to increase that to 45 minutes next week, with the goal being one hour of room time in the mornings.
This gives the girls an opportunity to play with their babies or their kitchen without a little brother coming in to terrorize them as their’s is prone to do.
It gives Will an opportunity to play with his Little People that he loves so much or with some of his other toys that he doesn’t get to enjoy when he spends all of his time with his sisters.
Room time works for everyone and it works wonders for our family.
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homegrownstrawberries says
Hmmm I might try to adopt this…
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Nancy M. says
Room time sounds like something I need to start with my toddler. He is so dependent right now on someone playing with him. I think it would be good, if he could learn to play on his own for a little while. I am fairly sure he won’t like this very much, but hopefully he can get used to it.
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Rachel C says
I LOVED roomtime!! Caroline was often so creative during that time. I loved hearing her play by herself. It also gave me a chance to get some things done. To other moms…it works well, if you are consistent, like everything else! 🙂
Tanya says
I had “quiet time” every day after lunch until Ellie started preschool. I LOVED it and can’t not remember why I got out of practice. I’m trying to get back to it, though, and it’s tough. The kids aren’t liking the idea much, so I spend most of the hour telling kids to get back in their rooms or to stop yelling from the top of the stairs. I need to set a timer and ease our way back into it.
On another note, my Zach has the same pjs as will in that last picture. They’re so cute!
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Jordan says
What a great idea!! When did you start with the girls? Maybe I’ll try to implement “room time” with Brady after he outgrows his morning nap…
Monica @ Paper Bridges says
good for you for getting your time with your husband. your kids will benefit from that investment.
(wow, your hair is curly! love it!)