Parenting Q - DD and December...
December is going to be a bit of a crazy month for my family, and I'd like to get some ideas or tips on how to make things easier, especially for DDstb2.
Here's the situation.
Starting the last 10 days or so of November until December 5, it's Sinterklaas here in the Netherlands. This is a huge kid-oriented time of year, a lot like Santa Claus. Instead of a stocking Christmas eve, it's putting your shoes out a couple of times in this time-frame. But similar to Christmas Day, on Dec 5 there are presents, more for kids but usually some for everyone, and a nice dinner/family time.
Then her last day for the year at daycare will be Dec 7, where she will get a special crown to celebrate her birthday the next week. I have to provide some treats - but not much and not too un-healthy. There will be a bit of a fuss over her at daycare.
Then on Dec 10 we are flying to Toronto. 8.5 hours in the plane. She has flown before, but she was 8 months old. Now she's almost 2.
December 12 is DH's birthday, we'll do something small like lunch and b'day cake with my mom. Partly to teach DD about birthdays.
Because DD's b'day is Dec 13. Again probably lunch with my mom, my bro and sis may or may not show up (weird family dynamic, I just try to extend an invitation but have no expectations).
Dec 24 we will do a Christmas dinner with my mom. Again bro/sis may or may not show up.
Dec 25 we will do Santa Claus. This will be the first DD has heard of this because Santa Claus doesn't really exist where we live.
Then we fly back home the 27th.
And in the meantime we will be trying to see as many other family/friends that we can.
What I want to figure out how to do is:
1. Cheap gift ideas, she'll be getting gifts 3x in less than a month! Last year my sis got her a small thing for her b'day and something bigger at the beginning of the summer (clothes, perfect timing).
2. How to prepare DD for all these events. I was thinking to wait to talk about the next one until the current one was finished. And to try to do books, colouring pages, maybe even just sitting around and talking about memories of mine etc with friends so that the vocabulary and events of a birthday party or Santa Claus aren't a shocker.
3. How to prepare DD for the plane ride. I want to pack as many activities for her as possible, she doesn't watch tv but I'm thinking of downloading some stuff for her to watch to keep her occupied. What can I expect? How can I make it easier for us all?
4. Should I also do colouring sheets etc to prep for the plane ride? When? I don't want to overwhelm her, but it will all be confusing if I do it at once... OTOH, she's got no frame of reference for this stuff now.
Ideas?
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I would gift her things that
I would gift her things that you will be getting her anyway, then maybe add a cheap toy or two with it.
I would get her some stationary and things to do on the plane for the Sinterklaas gifts. And maybe a doll/stuffed toy that she can take on the plane with her. Or perhaps a cute carry-on or hold luggage bag for her things.
Then maybe some clothes that she would need anyway for her birthday, maybe include a party dress for the Christmas celebrations, maybe some pretty hair accessories for some of the other gifts (also these will be easy to transport). Ooh and if you can arrange it a helium balloon will provide some entertainment and you don't have to bring it with you.
And them I'm out of ideas for gifts...
As for the plane ride, SD8 usually takes stationary, a coloring book, reading book, her DS or her leap pad with her. I don't know if your daughter is interested in something electronic, either to play games or watch cartoons but it could be good to keep her entertained for a while. Or check out what movie options you will get on the plane and be prepared with some headphones/earphones for her. I also role played with SD8 about getting on the plane a little before she did it (she had flown before, but she was flying on her own so I wanted to make sure she knew what to expect and how to behave).
As far as flying - I would
As far as flying - I would try and figure something out to help her with her ear pressure when the plane descends. Have her swallow or drink from a "sippy cup." If she can suck on a lolly-pop that might also help.
At her age you could get her
At her age you could get her one toy like a doll and them wrap each bit of accessories from it separate...like shoes in one package, sweater in another, if it's a baby doll the bottle in a separate one...tiny ones like opening the packages most of all. Wrap in tissue then wrapping paper so there's layers to tear open. Maybe also put everything in boxes, the really little ones always seem thrilled to open boxes!
I'm trying to remember what I
I'm trying to remember what I did with my kids on plane rides, thanks for making me feel old. Ha ha Ha
Definitely bring her favorite snacks on the plane ride. And sugarfree lollipops for her air pressure since I think she's too young to chew gum. She definitely has a lot of big events happening all in one month. I would be prepared for her to get overwhelmed here and there.
I like the idea of a doll, then buying doll accessories and wrapping them up individually and spreading them out over the different gift days. Plus I think I would get her a special plane ride stuffed animal to cuddle with.
Sounds like you're going to have a lot of fun in December and wishing you and your family safe travels.
It's a tough one for sure.
It's a tough one for sure. She's an only kid, and the only grandkid on both sides, and completely spoiled by aunties on both sides as well. We live comfortably, but frugally because we aren't big consumers by nature. So it can be a challenge to give things without it being overwhelming.
Lately she loves colouring - spiders, cars and crocodiles are the big hits. She has had a cuddle-toy since very young, and lately is a little more attached to it. He will be travelling with us! She's very tall - I was told recently by another mom I met at the park that the mom assumed DD was 3 years, not 22 months. Plus she's physically confident, talking fairly well, and social.
About screen-time.... in principle, I don't like it under the age of 4-5, but I did play some youtube cartoons for her last week when I was sick and needed some rest. She lasted almost an hour, then was very crabby and has been wanting to watch tv ever since. So I think it will work temporarily, but there will be blow-back!
I was thinking stickers/stickerbooks, but she loves to stick and then un-stick and re-stick until the sticky doesn't stick anymore, which I'm betting the cleaning staff won't appreciate.
I'm planning to print some family photos, including photos of her, and she can look at that - should hold her attention for a while. I also have had her show me different emotions on her face and then taken a picture, then we look at the pictures and talk about the emotions (yeah, Terrible Twos have started). So I could take more pictures and make that into a little book too.
I have to keep in mind that I don't want anything with too many pieces because I don't want to be keeping track of them lol! I was thinking of bringing a cookie sheet just to try to keep stuff from rolling off too much.
I think I will also email the airline and ask what arrangements they have/can recommend.
I like the idea of having things to produce when the going gets tough. Currently she has her usual toys, and I have about 5-6 yogurt containers that I pack with assorted small items. I don't even know what's in there! But I grab a container when I am going somewhere that I'd like her to be occupied. Doctor's office, out for a coffee with a friend of mine, whatever. I was thinking of making some more specific things, like an activity she could complete.
We'll see. I've been sick for 6 weeks with one thing or another, I'm sleeping very badly, and so is she lately. So the spirit is willing... but the flesh is weak.