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Making the most of it!
- Jun 6, 2009 at 6:26 PM
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- Comments (23) Total Views (769) Everyone can see this journal post.
Today, I took my children to the museum. Something we do often and fully enjoy. While there, I witnessed something else that is the norm for us- a person in disbelief. :0)
You see, when my children (ages 5, 3 and 1) go to the museum- they are well behaved and involved. They do not run about, they use quiet voices and they have a great time. After thanking the woman for complementing my children, I began to question... "why do more people not enjoy taking their children to such places as we do?"
My husband commented, "you do a lot to ensure they do"- and I began to ponder this journal. Possibly, if I were to share my plans- I could help another mom enjoy their time just as I do. :0)
Thus, Carmin's Museum Day-Trip Suggestions! have been provided.
- Kids are fickle and it doesn't take much to throw them into one mood or another. Thus, a day trip is something that I begin before the day has! I always begin the day as normal as possible. Get up, dress (properly for the weather and the day ahead) and eat breakfast. I do not wake the children up too early- this messes up their schedule and will play havoc on your day.
- Shoes are a big deal. No matter what- they wear walking shoes with socks. No if, ands or buts about it. We can all look like dorks together- but we are dorks without blisters or sandal slippage or worse- sore feet.
- Baseball caps are a must. No sunglasses to deal with- or sun in the eyes problems. Bonus- they can easily be slipped onto the stroller handles when not in use.
- Strollers are a must- though we do not use big bulky ones. Since it is a day trip- we travel VERY LIGHT. Umbrella strollers are easy to take anywhere- and we have clips that can join them together if the need arises. Even though my 3 year old son is big enough to walk around the museum- it is far easier to have it traveling to and from... as well as the perfect tool in case he begins to act up. :0)
- Prep your kids on the way there... I tell them where we are going and in general, what we are going to see. Today, we went to the National Museum of American Indians. I asked my kids what they thought we were going to see and what they already knew. They began asking questions and I began planting seeds... this empowers their trip and makes the information they are about to receive their own!
- Snacks! Though we eat breakfast before we leave, just before entering the museum I feed my kids a snack. The perfect food- Peanut Butter and Graham Crackers. Never give your kids sugary foods- this will only cause them to hype up and then crash. The balance of carbs and protein will keep them energized and clear headed for thinking!
- As soon as we walk in the door, I check a map. Know where all bathrooms are located on EVERY floor. This is a great time and life saver. Then, go potty. Don't ask- just go. :0)
- I always ask the front desk people what they best kid exhibit is in the building. Also- know where to find the hands on or small children designed exhibits, tuck this information away 'til the end of the adventure. The first place to go- what ever YOU want to see the most. Do this while they are still happy and excited to be there!
- Most importantly- let your kids lead the way. Remember- your children have the right to be there. Let them look and explore and ask questions. No one should EVER have a problem with kids being excited and being children. However, it is your responsibility to keep them engaged and involved with the materials. Never allow your kids to be wild and crazy distractions.
- As a parent of little children- I do not always get to see the majority of the museum... I let my kids pave the way. They may wander in and out of exhibits with out a care to all the words and important dates- they are still small. :0) I wait for them to find what interests them and then make a big deal about it. I use easy to remember terms to describe what they are seeing and try to make it relative to their daily lives. I ask them questions, they ask me.
- An important tool- particularly if there is something you want to look at... play I-Spy or similar hunt for the item games. Find me something green or something used for cooking. I love to throw out the words, "Oh, this is mommy's favorite!" My kids can't resist knowing that I like something. :0)
- Ignore rhyme or reason to wandering the exhibits. You have little children- they have no care about what they are missing. You can always come back! Let them lead and show an interest. Even returning to rooms is great- you'll find they might be looking for specifics and able to take in more each time you enter.
- Finally- when your kids are beginning to lose interest, pull out that hands on exhibit or child safe room card. Let them go! Don't be afraid in here to let them be kids- that is what they designed it for. However, keep interacting- this isn't a babysitting service! Also, I always go for this area before lunch- as that gives me something to draw them out. :0) When traveling into the city- we always break for hot dogs. Something my kids love. We get a chance to sit and watch everything happen around us, while refueling. Even on times where we bring a lunch- we always stop, sit and take time to watch.
- Lunch is always the culmination to our day. My kids are still little- only 5, 3 and 1. Even daring to venture back inside after lunch can be dangerous. While eating their lunch, they have had a chance to relax and the morning will quickly catch up with them. The baby will want a nap- the others... well, don't tell them I told you this... but they'll be ready for a "resting" as well. Going back inside will, without a doubt, lead to melt downs and misbehavior. While you've already had a great time- don't push it. :0)
- On the trip to the car- discuss what you've seen. Reinforce the information... let your kids lead the way as to what was most important in THEIR minds. Smile as the baby nods off and your kids enjoy their good day.
You may not have seen everything, but there is always next time. What matters the most is what they did get from the experience- and that you'll enjoy going again with them in the future. :0)
Comments:
Thank you shorty969. :0)
voted popular, its a great post!
This will come in handy when I start homeschooling my 5 y/o. There will be lots of field trips :)
These are marvelous suggestions. Thanks for posting!
I'm totally going to try that. I have been DYING to take Connor to the Aquarium to see the fishes!
BRAVO!!! Your children are fortunate in their Mother!
Brilliant ideas! Totally.
Thanks for posting this, our kids are the same ages as yours. Thankfully when we take them out we rarely have trouble either...your post did enlighten me on a few things. I will be using your tips for seeing the exhibit I want to see first, thanks again!
May I add, Don't Take Grandma and Grandpa. Grandma and Grandpa (at least the ones in our equation) insist on eating lunch first, are hell-bent on seeing everything the way docents intended, need to go outside to cop a smoke after an hour (well, Grandma does), feel the need to complain that Grandma just did that (well, Grandpa does), have zero patience with the Kid Area, mainly because Grandma needs yet another smoke and Grandpa is worrying about the health and well-being of his leftover half a tuna sandwich out in the car, Grandma can cause a 30-year museum veteran employee to go screaming into the Ladies' room to hang herself with her pantyhose after the 99th time she's been asked where the King Tut Exhibit is (IT'S RIGHT BEHIND YOU! And to the left and right of you, basically, it's everywhere, lady!) and Dear Grandma just can't with to buy a college educations' worth of King Tut Crap to haul home, leaving my kids with the impression that King Tut had a pencil hanging out of his butt.
I'm taking your advice next time, either that or a couple of tranquilizer darts.
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Meet Dodie702
This Nevada mom of two - who are just 18 months apart! - is married to her high school sweetheart and loves to craft in her free time.
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- shorty969
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