SA Schedule

[Alwaysgreener]

I have an infant enrolled that has a school ager sibling that needs care next week for winter break, one day. I have met the child a few times and have the feeling that she gets her way at home. DH gets her off the bus and up to the house with dd and then one of her parents arrive to pick up, she does not always make it inside.

One day during a snow storm, she came inside and made herself at home, including picking up her infant sibling. I corrected her right away and told her that it was not allowed in my home.

So basically, I have not really gotten a chance to get to know her or set any ground rules with her.

She and dd seem to get along for the most part but I do not want to take any chances. I have never had a school ager before for just a day and I really need help with a schedule for her.

I do not want her in DD room if I knew her better it may be different. Other than dd toys (which I do not want them pulled out), most of my toys are for preschool and under. As of now, I will only have DD, DCG, and sibling on Monday.

Please help me with some activities that I can put together for her and/or dd is in K, to do while I am taking care of the baby.

She is in 7 and in 1st grade, she is being medicated for ADD. She also opts not to listen and she rarely gets corrected for it either.

I plan on having a movie for them during nap time as I do not expect them to sleep but I will need a break. I do not attend for any other screen time during the day.

Most days it is 10 degrees or below, so going out for any great length of time is out.

What are some things that I could have them do besides CHORES?
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[storybookending]

Crafts! Just pull out any odds and ends you have for supplies and let them go to town with their imaginations. If you separate recycling let them go through and use all the bottles and paper towel rolls they want.

Just make sure you talk to her right away in the morning about expectations and how even though it’s okay that she picks up her sibling at home at daycare you have to have different rules.

Sucks you’re in Michigan.. A nice long walk or time outside does that age wonders!

[hwichlaz]

Everyone follows the same schedule. But if you don't really have a schedule other than meals, because of your age group, then I'd get out left over craft supplies for her like another poster recommended.

[mamamanda]

Google or use Pinterest to search for stem challenges! Put a few "challenges" together for them to do together. Many can be done with items around the house or things you can purchase very cheaply! Make a Lego Zipline, construct an action figure parachute using a certain set of supplies, cup stacking activity using strings & rubber bands, etc. Great fun!!

[Alwaysgreener]

Crafts! Just pull out any odds and ends you have for supplies and let them go to town with their imaginations. If you separate recycling let them go through and use all the bottles and paper towel rolls they want.

Just make sure you talk to her right away in the morning about expectations and how even though it’s okay that she picks up her sibling at home at daycare you have to have different rules.

Sucks you’re in Michigan.. A nice long walk or time outside does that age wonders!

I plan on talking to her right away, I may even do it in front of mom.

If it was not for the infant, I would take the two girls out no matter what and for as long as they could stand it.

[momofsix]

Arts and crafts are usually your best bet! Most of my girls could spend hours with paper, scissors, glue,markers tape. It doesn't have to be an "organized" craft, just random things they can do free style. Also playdough, clay, kinetic sand, shaving cream...
Although every once in a while there's the girl that doesn't like that sort of thing.
I know you were joking about chores, but, most kids that age love washing things-fill the sink with soapy water and let them wash the legos, toy food & dishes...or give them wipes or a wet washcloth to wipe down the bigger toys.

[Alwaysgreener]

I have Lincoln logs but no legos. I do have crafts supplies I just was worried about going craft crazy and have a bunch of started but unfinished crafts.

I do like the stem craft idea that would work for baby's first nap.

What about having them make some food. Does anyone have a recipe that requires no heat? or maybe some food other than cookies (which they will want to eat) that they can make that is healthy too?

(sorry, I am just drawing a blank)

[daycarediva]

Can you safely supervise them outside while still inside? watch from window? I would try to get them outside!

[Alwaysgreener]

Can you safely supervise them outside while still inside? watch from window? I would try to get them outside!

I asked that when I opened, I was told I have to be outside with them. So it is an all in or all out kind of thing.
But I so wish I could get away with it. (DH gets home one hour before they leave, we could go out then depending on the weather/temperature.)

[storybookending]

How young is the infant? Is going outside not an option at all? If you have an infant carrier you can zip the child right up under your coat if they are small enough to st least get outside for a little while or maybe a walk around the block at the very least. I’ve seen on the news that Michigan has been getting pounded with snow this year so maybe that isn’t an option.

I take on school age older siblings very occasionally on breaks but will not enroll them full time, even in the summers. They are typically content for a day here or there without getting bored even though I do not have a lot of “big kid toys”.

[Alwaysgreener]

How young is the infant? Is going outside not an option at all? If you have an infant carrier you can zip the child right up under your coat if they are small enough to st least get outside for a little while or maybe a walk around the block at the very least. I’ve seen on the news that Michigan has been getting pounded with snow this year so maybe that isn’t an option.

I take on school age older siblings very occasionally on breaks but will not enroll them full time, even in the summers. They are typically content for a day here or there without getting bored even though I do not have a lot of “big kid toys”.

The infant is 7 months and about 15-20 lbs (wears 12 months clothes) I could put the baby in the infant sled, and I have when we go out. Currently, we have too much snow for the toddlers to walk in, so going out to play in the backyard is out. It is about 1-2 feet deep in the backyard, in the front, the sidewalks and driveway are clear but just as deep or more in the yard. Yes, all this snow came in a range of 8 days before that we were walking in mud.

It also ranges from negative 10 to 15 degrees outside. One day recently, I checked the temp during nap and planned on going out, at the end of nap it dropped 10 degrees.
So going out depends on 2 things, one the temperature and if SA dcg comes properly dressed in snow gear. I plan on sending home a reminder this weekend but you never know.

[sahm1225]

I have Lincoln logs but no legos. I do have crafts supplies I just was worried about going craft crazy and have a bunch of started but unfinished crafts.

I do like the stem craft idea that would work for baby's first nap.

What about having them make some food. Does anyone have a recipe that requires no heat? or maybe some food other than cookies (which they will want to eat) that they can make that is healthy too?

(sorry, I am just drawing a blank)

Sandwiches? Or you have have precut up deli meat, cheese, and crackers for them to put together. Or making the snack packs (I forget what they’re called, but they usually have cereal, raisins, chocolate chips, etc).

[Homebody]

I'm not sure what your setup is like, but if you have the room let them build forts. My SA's and my own kids love to do this! Let them use kitchen chairs, furniture or whatever and drape old blankets over them. They will use their imagination and pretend to be camping out, in a cave, or castle, etc.

[Alwaysgreener]

I'm not sure what your setup is like, but if you have the room let them build forts. My SA's and my own kids love to do this! Let them use kitchen chairs, furniture or whatever and drape old blankets over them. They will use their imagination and pretend to be camping out, in a cave, or castle, etc.

I am considering this as I have a fort kit. But concerned that the crawling baby may get underfoot and if I put the baby in the play yard, there is no room for the fort.
Should I consider this with a crawling baby?

[storybookending]

The infant is 7 months and about 15-20 lbs (wears 12 months clothes) I could put the baby in the infant sled, and I have when we go out. Currently, we have too much snow for the toddlers to walk in, so going out to play in the backyard is out. It is about 1-2 feet deep in the backyard, in the front, the sidewalks and driveway are clear but just as deep or more in the yard. Yes, all this snow came in a range of 8 days before that we were walking in mud.

It also ranges from negative 10 to 15 degrees outside. One day recently, I checked the temp during nap and planned on going out, at the end of nap it dropped 10 degrees.
So going out depends on 2 things, one the temperature and if SA dcg comes properly dressed in snow gear. I plan on sending home a reminder this weekend but you never know.

I hear you on the weather. I saw BC post in an old post when I was reading the archives that she has her hubby plow paths in her yard for the toddlers to play outside in. I did that this winter after barely being outside last summer and it has been great! I plow a nice big circle around the yard and completely clear around the playset so they can use the slide. Unfourtunatly the temperature here in WI has been like you describe and our regs says under 2 it has to be 20 degrees or higher windchill included. We haven’t been outside much because of the dang windchill!