Montessori Tots and Riding in the Car A LOT

{Photo of me as a young tot}

I am a mom of fourteen month year old twins, and soon to be the mother of one more! I am having sort of a moral dilemma. I moved with my babies and have still not finished unpacking... and there are so many errands to be run. But I'm not sure how I feel about the idea of traveling in the car with my twins each day for so long... It interrupts our day and I know it can't be the best thing for them. I have tried only going once a week, sometimes twice a week if I can get help, but my house is still needing a lot of work and time in the car. 

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Is there anything you suggest to make it better for them... I don't know, maybe this is a good thing that they are going out?  If anything, maybe I can stop feeling like such a bad mother! 

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Don't feel like a bad mom! Kids that live in a household where there is a lot of commuting and or trips to run errands, get used to it and it is not a BAD thing, you are not hurting their development... And it is a way of life for many families! So what are some tips to make everyone happier?

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Try to do an outdoor activity in the a.m., even though you have young ones, let them play outside for a while. Or if it is raining or too cold, play some lively music and have movement time.
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In other words, when you know you'll be in the car running errands, give your children an opportunity to be active for at least 15 to 20 minutes beforehand.\
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It also helps to have a routine, especially when your children are 2 1/2, they will crave order and routine (Montessori Sensitive Period for Order). So try to do your driving at the same time of day each day or every other day.
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You can also play tapes or CDs for them to listen to in the car, or sing preschool songs and nursery rhymes. I don't recommend giving them food to eat unless you are stopped in a parking lot in between errands and it is snack or lunch time. Kids can choke while eating and you don't want to be driving when that happens.
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Over the long term, your children will learn how to shop, go to the bank, and so forth, which is a plus! At least they won't be sitting at home in front of the TV!
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After returning home, when they get a little older (2 to 2 1/2) let them help you put things away, then they can have time outside to play and be active.
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And if they are doing a lot of sitting in the car, create "standing" activities at home: a water table, a rice or bean table, a block or train table, a play dough table. Also, get a small slide and put it indoors, buy a small trampoline when they are older, and so forth.
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Hang in there! Children are very adaptable, just try and follow their stage of development, and strike for balance!

~Lisa Nolan

Want more infant Montessori? Click here to read more of my posts! * You might also be interested in my Montessori in the Home for Infants and Tots Birth to 24-Four Months Old ebook here! * Do you want to implement Montessori in the home or daycare? Learn about my affordable online Montessori for birth to nine!