Tips for Managing Life as a Boy Mom of Three Under Five
I’m a busy mom of three young boys, working full-time from 8–5 as a nutritionist supervisor. My weekends are spent resetting the house and preparing for another full week ahead. Most days, my kids and I are lucky to have about four hours together; those hours are often a whirlwind of movement, noise, and emotion.
Mornings are a blur of getting dressed, making lunches, and eating breakfast. Evenings bring tired, hungry little ones while I’m attempting to cook a decent meal, clean lunch boxes, start bedtime routines, and trying to squeeze in moments of connection. By the weekend, I sometimes just want to curl up and recharge.
Then I remember: my children didn’t choose this life—I brought them here. And it is my privilege and responsibility to make sure they feel safe, loved, and cherished. At the end of the day, what our children want most isn’t perfection—it’s us. Our presence. Our attention. Our love. The ideas I’m sharing below are here to help busy families like ours grow healthy, bond, and find joy in the everyday moments.
Toy Recommendations for Toddlers
- Building Blocks: Encourages creativity and fine motor skills.
- Interactive Books: Choose sturdy, engaging books with textures, flaps, and simple stories to foster early literacy and connection.
- Musical Instruments: Small drums, maracas, or xylophones can stimulate auditory development and provide endless entertainment.
- Ride-On Toys: Compact scooters or cars to help burn off energy safely.
- Puzzle Sets: Age-appropriate puzzles enhance problem-solving abilities and hand-eye coordination.
Entertainment Ideas to Keep Them Busy
- Creative Art Stations: Set up a dedicated space with washable markers, crayons, and paper for spontaneous art sessions.
- Sensory Bins: Fill bins with rice, pasta, or sand, and add small toys or tools for tactile exploration.
- Music and Movement: Incorporate dance parties or sing-alongs to develop rhythm and coordination.
- Outdoor Play: Utilize local parks or your backyard for activities like sandbox play, water tables, or simple sports.
Healthy Snack Options for Toddlers
- Fresh Fruit Slices: Apples, bananas, berries, or melon chunks provide natural sweetness and essential vitamins.
- Vegetable Sticks with Dip: Carrot, cucumber, and bell pepper strips served with hummus or yogurt dip encourage healthy eating habits.
- Whole Grain Snacks: Whole wheat crackers or rice cakes offer sustained energy without added sugars.
- Yogurt Parfaits: Layer Greek yogurt with fruit and a sprinkle of oats or granola for a nutritious treat.
- Nut Butter on Whole Grain Bread: Almond or peanut butter spread on toast supplies healthy fats and protein.
Tools to Make Mom Life More Efficient
- Meal Prep Containers: Invest in stackable containers to streamline packing lunches and snacks.
- Organizational Baskets: Use labeled baskets for toys, clothes, and supplies to reduce clutter and save time searching.
- Time-Saving Appliances: Slow cookers or instant pots can prepare meals with minimal supervision.
- Scheduling Apps: Digital planners help coordinate appointments, activities, and meal plans efficiently.
- Multi-Purpose Gear: Consider convertible strollers or diaper bags with multiple compartments to simplify outings.
PSA: This takes patience and can be messy! It’s important to sit with them for the first few times and teach them perfection is not key. Toddlers get frustrated and overstimulated quickly, once toys start flying in the air, redirect them with the “Clean Up” song and move on to something else. It’s okay if they can’t sit through a book and listen to you read. Depending on their age and development, simply pointing to pictures and describing what is seen such as colors, animals, weather, etc will suffice! Eventually they will enjoy doing this on their own and telling their own little stories. It’s important to note that not all children do well with loud noises so it’s important to keep an eye on everyone to ensure no one is having a mental overload when it comes to noisy activities- including yourself! Help guide them to use toys appropriately and to make purposeful associations. If you’re able to convince them that teamwork is key, they will have a blast.
And in case no one has told you: You are doing an amazing job!