Does Anyone Else Do This?
Whatever it takes!
Lately this seems to me my mantra. Or more precisely, whatever it takes to wind this kid down so that he'll go to sleep at night!
As I sit here at 5 minutes until midnight watching my son endlessly picking up and slamming his mini tricycle against the ground, it had made me realize that once again I did not wear him out enough today.
Lately I have been trying all kinds of things to get this kid to calm the frack down in the evening. He seems to be an endless whirlwind of energy. I thought I'd write about this because I was wondering if anyone else has done anything similar to me.
For the last couple of weeks or so, I've been loading him up in the car in the evening, and taking him anywhere and everywhere that he can run freely. For the most part, that means somewhere like the mall, Target or Home Depot.
His favorite place to go is the mall where they have lots of those little car type rides that charge to make a bunch of noise and rock around. Luckily, he is too young to understand the difference so he is content to just get in for free and mess with all the controls.
I have found a few of these rides that actually let you push a couple of buttons that make noises without having to pay. I had a good laugh with some other dads who showed up with their kids and used their hands to rock the cars around with the kids in them for some free fun.
Little Ricky would quite literally play in here for 8 hours straight if I let him. I am wondering how much longer this is going to work! Eventually he's going to get bored for sure.
So yeah, my question is: Does anyone have any tips on how to get a kid worn out during the day without wearing me out, or breaking the bank?
I get the feeling that taking kids to various shopping locations and malls in the evening is not something innovative that I came up with. Especially considering the fact that whenever I go, I notice lots of other parents there doing the same thing.
Well, off to get the little monster into bed. Fingers crossed!
Reblogging for the parents on my timeline. I don't have kids so I haven't dealt with this type of problem. Sorry 🤡
Thanks bud. Make sure you do whatever it is you wanna do before you have kids!
Sorry I can't help you much with this one. I have zero dad experience, but lots of fun uncle experience which really doesn't translate here, because typically we just had them off to the parents when it is bed time! I hope you get some good recommendations. I can't imagine having to drive to the mall every night, that has to wear on you. Best of luck!
It does get old but I have gotten used to the drive. It used to feel like a long drive, now it feels like 5 minutes.
I remember the old days of passing the kids back to their parents. Ah the good ol days!
I have had the same problem 🤣 I always found that no matter what happened the energy was infinite, until I discovered other children are the solution. Playing with an equal source of infinite energy= perfect power down at the end of the day. Night night nurse.
So establishing a group of playmates was the best solution I came up with.
Just what helped me 👍
That is pretty true. I have noticed that when he is around other kids he gets tired much faster. Thanks for the idea!
Yes, it might do the trick. I raised two sons, and they both were like you described. Having some uncles around that may be younger and more energetic and into playing with kids would maybe help you out a little. Once he gets a bit older, get him into some sports teams. When I lived in Canada, Hockey was a big thing for the kids, as young as 5 years old. A source of great amusement watching those munchkins play - they are a lot of fun or see this one.
My youngest son is now 23, and he absolutely loves to play with my little niece, who is also a bundle of energy (and quite a tomboy).
Did you try whisky? 🤔👼
That being said, and off-topic, do you mind reviewing and supporting the Hive Authentication Services proposal? That would be much appreciated.
Thank you.
Haha, good idea.
I did vote for the proposal BTW. Good idea!
Hehe, glad you like the idea.
That being said, avoid the Yamazaki 55 year old single malt Japanese whisky as "without ... breaking the bank" was mentioned too in your question. 😀
PS: Thank you for your proposal vote!
This post has so much the same vibes as your the joys of being a dad. Every time I read pieces like this one from capable people, I think twice about starting a family (although I am on that path). I have a niece that is Ricky's age and what works for me is to set some simple goals or achievements, sort of gamifying her life and that does take some energy from her but in the end, it only gives me like 30 minutes to enjoy by myself.
On the other hand, do I want her to see life as a goal/reward transaction? Probably not, but gamifying life does work wonders as long as it is not for everything a wee lad does.
All I would say is, either get all the traveling and stuff you want to enjoy alone out of your system, or figure out how to incorporate raising a kid in with it.
The problem is that all kids are different, and you can't really know how yours is going to be. For example, we have a family friend with a little girl around the same age as little Ricky, but she is totally docile. She kind of just goes along with whatever is happening and chills out. Meanwhile, Ricky is a wrecking ball that won't chill out for even a second. With their little girl, they go camping, traveling, hiking and all kinds of stuff. That stuff is a major challenge with our little one.
Thanks, that is actually great advice. Sometimes I make myself suffer because I feel too tired to engage with him properly which makes him even more wound up!
I remember that my ex-boss once brought his kid to work, had to be around 5 years old and I got stuck taking care of him for around 2 hours but I had to finish my stuff, so I just sat him down next to me and told him, I can't leave the office if I don't punch all these sheets (recycled stuff), wanna help me?
He spent like an hour punching the sheets (pic related) while I finished my stuff and he even received a lollipop afterwards, I think I learnt that life hack right there.
I've done my traveling and I don't need to get anything out of my system, but one main thing bugging me is the constant cash flow you need for kids, that's why I'm learning JS and Python, once I land a job I think I'll go through with the family business :P
Damn, well, perhaps getting him to help you gather logs for the fire or counting insects can be a way of keeping him busy when you hike, get's him tired at the same time, and he also gets to enjoy nature at its best... just an idea. When I was a boy scout one activity was to gather logs first thing when we arrived to the camping place, and the winner didn't have to cook during the whole camping weekend.
Good day my friends @nuthman the feature looks great for the kid, keep the good work going my good friend
Children are the sweetness of the world and it's best to always make them happy as possible as one can. Good work there Buddy.🤜🤛
It is a lot of hard work, but also a huge teaching experience.
Yeah Buddy.
🤝
Boil him 😂
He is so cute !
I swear it is not about your age because i know you think about that and i can tell you i know many couples who are in their 20s and they are tired as hell even with very relax kind kids .
Maybe do the opposite ? When he is sleeping , wake him up and he will feel your pain
Im single yet so don't know what to say. But
Little Ricky lookin cute while sleeping. Much Love ❤️ for him.