I Need Input

[Unregistered]

I have been a lurker here for awhile and when I have had a problem I ususally come here and someone else is having the same issue. It is nice to have a place to come and see how others have handled things.
But now I have a problem that I haven't found. I care for two brothers ages 3 and 4. The 4 yrold will be going to all day kinder in the fall and I dont think i will be able to keep him engaged and stimulated the whole day without his brother. My next oldest is 14 months. Yesterday and today the 4yr old has been out sick and the 3 yr old has blasted through activities that would normally take the whole morning and he is incapable of finding toys to play by himself.
Any ideas, I have been thinking of asking parents to find a place for him with more kids his own age. He has been with me since he was 3 months old.
Sorry so long and thanks

[Heidi]

you could advertise specificaly for a new friend for the kid (with parents' permission), or you could have him move on.

I have a 3 yo and a 16 mo building towers together right now...depends on the kids, though. Plus, most days, there are a couple closer in age to the 3 yo, so it's not too often.

[Blackcat31]

Please consider registering....there is much more to the forum as a register user.


If you really don't feel that you would be able to occupy the 3 yr old, let mom and dad know your concerns and let them make the decision.

As far as not staying engaged in an activity, I will use a kitchen timer to help the kids learn to stay on task and to build the attention span so they do stay doing one activity for longer than 2 minutes.

I set the timer for 30 minutes. No new activities or toys until the timer goes off. Rinse and repeat. As they get better at staying on task, I will increase the time to up to 60 minutes.

Now I have happily engaged kids who don't need to move onto anything new for atleast an hour.

[cheerfuldom]

i wouldnt say or change anything for now. kinder doesnt start for months. i would leave as is and re-evaluate maybe in july. if younger brother is still having a hard time and you still dont have any other kids his age lined up to start (assuming you have to replace big brother), then i would discuss with the parents and let this boy go....for his own good. if you have all babies and toddlers and then one older kid (close to 4 if not 4 years old by then) then yes, it can be difficult to keep the oldest engaged.