Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Fort Worth, TX

As a mom, I'm always trying to be 3 or 4 steps ahead of my kids. It helps them not get into dangerous situations, as well as helps me anticipate their needs.  My 3-year-old is a talking machine! She has a great vocabulary and good pronunciation, but sometimes, I can't figure it out. That's where the 3 or 4 steps ahead really helps! Being able to anticipate their needs matters to me.  But, what is it that really matters to her? I try, like most moms, to make sure I do the things that matter. Obviously, giving your children love is #1, so I won't even list that here.  Following is my list - I'd love to hear your additions too!

1. Offer new experiences! Whether it's going to a new store, a new park, a new restaurant, or just watching a new cartoon once in a while. A new experience brings a different perspective and allows children to see past what they know as their world.
2. Answer those "why" questions! After about the 5^th "why", I have to start answering through clenched teeth. But, this exercise in exasperation is absolutely necessary. By answering their questions, you are giving them several things: attention, respect, praise (for critically thinking), and knowledge. Best of all, they learn to allow their brains to work - thinking requires a lot of energy. If we dampen their natural curiosity, that part of the brain just goes dormant (okay, this is my opinion, not a medical fact!) since no one encourages it.
3. Let them help! Yes, you can get it done faster by yourself. Yes, it will make more of a mess. But - WOW - what a treat to see your child's face light up when they've helped you with something. It gives them a sense of worth, self-respect, responsibility, and pride! My daughter loves to help me make pancakes on Saturday morning. I measure everything out and she gets to dump it in the bowl and stir it. Now that she's not so clumsy on her feet, she's getting some other jobs too that require a little more dexterity. Even the 15-month old is getting into the action by putting his socks in the hamper.
4. Give them your time! This is an obvious one, so I put it closer to the end. The best advice I ever read in a parenting book (I think it was Secrets of the Baby Whisperer) was to spend about 15 minutes on the floor with the kids after I get home from work. I used to rush in, get the kids settled, rush to the kitchen to get dinner, and try to change my clothes in between. My kids were fussy, whiny, clingy and I would just get frustrated (why, oh why, are they doing this!!). Now, we get in the door, I give them both their milk cups, we toodle off to the bathroom to wash hands (very casually though), and then we hang in the playroom for about 10 minutes just spending time together. Before the 10 minutes is up, my daughter's run off to her room and my son is engaged in some toy. I can then get changed and get dinner ready in a happy environment. So, even when you have a hundred things on your agenda, discipline yourself to take some "just kid" time in their world every day (and more on the weekends if you are a work-outside-the-home mom).
5. Last, but certainly not least, be sure they spend time with grandparents. I suppose this is a strange one to put on the list, but as you know, there is something magical between grandparents and kids. The grandparents get to be rewarded for being parents and the kids get to have undivided attention from a part of their history. Whether you live far or close to grandparents, make it a priority. Obviously, there are some grandparents that are not suitable to be around, so "adopt" some! Whether it's the couple at church that works in the Sunday school, a family friend, or an aunt, give them someone older to spend time with.

Later this week, I'll give you my list of 5 things that really don't matter to kids (hint: one of them is TV!)