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A Time To Blog
June 22nd, 2010 | 
Author: By Sue, Guest Writer, Mommy’s Pen
We all want to be better bloggers. And goodness knows, there are plenty of websites out there telling you how to master SEO and publicize your blog eight ways from Sunday. Yet, all of these are as useless to you as free concert tickets for a Saturday night (how could you possibly stay awake until eleven p.m., much less find a sitter) if you have a toddler who will not release you from her clutches long enough to write a solid post. My 3-year-old gets so jealous of the time I spend on the computer, I’ve caught her trying to push my beloved laptop off the bed and onto the hardwood floor.
Short of banishing spouse and child to the backyard or locking yourself in the bathroom, how can you get a few uninterrupted minutes to record the minutiae of potty training for posterity?
The first thing you must keep in mind is to get your toddler engaged in an activity before you sit down to write. If you start typing away your toddler will launch an attention grab and any attempt to engage her in an isolated activity will be seen for what is it: a ploy to get her out of the way. Once your toddler is engrossed in her game or project, quietly slip onto the couch and be ready to mutter encouraging phrases at intervals.
Here are some activities that kept my daughter busy for about twenty to thirty minutes. Maybe they’ll work for you, too.
1. Art Project. This one is obvious, and therefore least likely to work. Get some fresh art supplies, plenty of paper and a smock. The more potential for mess, the more your toddler will enjoy it. Play-doh, fingerpaints or markers – just make it something she doesn’t get to use all the time. Definitely be prepared to invest some time in clean-up.
2. Cutting. Buy some kid scissors (plastic with rounded tips) and bust out some old newspapers. You’ll need to be nearby to prevent an impromptu haircut.
3. Peeling garlic. A friend of mine gave me a little silicone tube for peeling garlic. You put a clove inside and then roll the tube against the table. Buy a bunch of bulbs and let your toddler go to town. Something about the papery skins mesmerizes toddlers.
Silicone Garlic Peeler
4. Cornbread. This mealy snack takes a long time to eat. Wrap a big slice in a napkin and let her have at it. It helps if you have a dog to vacuum up the crumbs as she walks around the house. Better yet, let your toddler do the vacuuming afterwards.
5. Play Clothes. Wrong! This was a trick. Dress up clothes invite games where you have a role to play. You need something that your kid can do independently.
There you have it. Short list. Each one may only work once.
If anyone out there has more ideas, please let me know. Please.
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I tend to blog either during naptime, or while my six-month-old nurses. Or, as you can see, when I wake up in the middle of the night and can’t go back to sleep…
Naptimes are becoming elusive at my house, but I do use the time on the weekends. Anything to put off doing laundry.
Sue Campbell´s last blog ..Our Mommyhood
I can’t wait until Wild Thing is old enough to peel garlic for me. Great suggestions.
KLZ´s last blog ..Word Up, Yo! Continues
I’m methodically teaching Nora how to take over all my chores!
Sue Campbell´s last blog ..Our Mommyhood
The hose is a great entertainment at our house. Obviously I don’t have my laptop anywhere the game but I can type instead while they runabout the driveway.
Kristin @ Peace, Love and Muesli´s last blog ..Sharing The Love
My toddler is always trying to pull my laptop out of my lap! He hates it! Right now we’re both playing outside–him in his sandbox, me on my computer!
This list is great!
Depends on the day, but my daughter can do just about anything. it’s my son that needs attention. I can usually write for 5 minutes, then play for 5 minutes and go back and forth…
Julia
http://www.workwifemomlife.com
I always found scotch tape miraculous when I needed time. I swear, it’ll occupy them for hours. And you were so right about playing dress up. Not fun unless you’ve got someone to play with!
I’m headed to Costco for a jumbo pack of scotch tape, right now!
Sue Campbell´s last blog ..Our Mommyhood
Sue,
You make parenting sound so easy. We both know better. I admire how you (and Ben) give thought to what is best, and then let common sense fill in the gaps. Keep up the good work.
Playing dress up with clothes sounds like the best option since there’s no need to vacuum after and no small parts to make a hard-to-clean mess. Good ideas here.
Kelly A.´s last blog ..Sweet Little Kyler