Boring mommy starts another boring load of boring laundry. “Mama, can I watch?” he begs, pushing the overturned laundry basket against the washing machine. The water flows, and he begs to pour the soap. Bubbles appear, and he is delighted. As the machine fills, he waits for his favorite part. Finally, he shouts, “It’s dancing, mama!” and he wiggles his little bottom, dancing along with the clothes. Mom yawns.
“Mom, why is the grass green?”
“Because God made it that way, honey.” The grass is green because it is, and who cares, anyway? Just get in the car already. But really, it didn’t have to be that way, did it? It could have been blue or red. Why not?
It is so easy to feel bored and uninspired when you’re at home with small children all day. And yet, that inspiration we seek can often come from those very children. It might just take a little nudge from mother. And I truly mean just a nudge- not a complicated craft plan which you will then have to implement, not a shopping list for a craft that will keep them entertained for five minutes and then leave you with thirty-minutes cleanup. If your home needs a little lively shake-up today, try one of these simple ideas to inspire harmony, fun, and creativity!
Dress up
Put on a tiara and call yourself Queen Mommy, or wear a cape and be Superwoman. Let everyone choose a new name, and don’t forget to call them by their chosen names. You may find yourself saying, “Batman, stop poking the Hulk, or Superwoman will give you consequences,” and you might wonder if Superwoman will be respected like Regular Mom, but you’ll just have to try it. You might be laughing too much to care.
Declare your dining room a restaurant
My restaurant is called “Momalina’s,” and it only serves people in full costume. Sometimes, Momalina even puts a tablecloth on the table, lights a candle, or plays mood music. We might eat peanut butter sandwiches as usual, but it doesn’t seem usual at all.
Embrace the weather
Is it storming outside? Your house is a boat, or maybe an ark. Get all the stuffed animals ready for a journey on the ark, and serve food in a trough (on a single plate) for everyone.
Magical animals
Tell the children you met someone strange in the hallway this morning. Perhaps a little birdie that leaves treats on nicely made beds, or a mouse that poops M&Ms only in clean closets? (Hey, I have small boys. Sometimes you just need to go with it.)
“I mustache you to pretend with me.”
Declare today a “mustache day.” Use eyeliner to draw them on (you too, mom).
If you can, read this book: Mustache Baby
Have a read-around
Hide books in odd places. When the kids find them, read them in those odd places. “The pigeon needs a bath,” read IN the bathroom, is a hundred times more hilarious!
Just add water
If you can’t just let the kids play in the hose, consider letting them do something messy in the kitchen, where the floor probably needs mopping anyways. Perhaps a tiny “car wash” for those hotwheels, or a swimming pool for the baby dolls?
Put eyes on things
Trust me, this is HILARIOUS. For larger items, like doors or couches, simply cut out simple eyes from construction paper and add masking tape. Suddenly, your house is ALIVE! New friends are everywhere! The couch is smiling because the cat is sitting on it! The door and the wall are wondering how long it will take for junior to finish his breakfast! The piano is pleading, with her big, sad, eyes, for someone to play a song!
What about you, mothers? What are your simple ideas for sparking creativity in your stay-at-home day?
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Emily
Emily Cook is a child-wrangler, tree-climber, author, blogger and mother of six. She is often messy with other people's snot, and sin too, but God loves her anyway. She rejoices in the freedom of God's grace, knowing she may be weak now, but loved forever in Jesus.
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I love these! Especially because they do not require any special trips to the store. I think the mouse pooping m&m’s is my favorite and one I’m sure to implement.
My kids are WILD about animals, and so often our play involves being different animals. Claiming sideways up a couch like a chameleon is a personal favorite. We have also started playing “would you rather” games– asking each other whatever scenarios we can think of. With a three year old and a five year old, the games gets pretty silly!