Childcare for three children

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That is an awesome routine, PP. Thank you for breaking it down in such detail.

Thanks! But I want to add that it was possible largely because I started well before the twins were born. During the pregnancy, I was planning and prepping!

I put together projects for the big kid so that if I wanted to do, e.g., a vinegar/baking soda volcano, there was a gallon-sized ziplock bag with a recycled jar full of vinegar, a baggie of baking soda, the cut-off top of a water bottle, a baggie with some clay and a paper with pictures of volcanoes and a link to a short video about volcanoes. I had big boxes of things ready—one for science, one for art, one for letters, one for math games, one for baking.

I also prepped sensory bins (rainbow rice, cloud dough, mixed beans, playdough and a water table).

But the biggest thing I prepped was the sibling! Prepping for a new sibling always includes building rules and schedules and skills that make adding a baby or two easier.

Rules:
Practicing limits at the playground so the older sibling has a clear sense of how to stay close, hold hands, and come when called.
Rules for messy activities (like al those sensory bins): teaching Sib to play without making a tremendous mess and to help tidy up afterwards

Schedules:
Reworking the day so that the sibling is used to doing a quiet activity during the “morning nap” window and outing during the “between naps” window
Getting Sib adjusted to a quick nap routine and teaching sib to chill quietly for a few minutes so that I can eventually get the babies down for their naps

Skills:
Making sure Sib can get dressed and undressed, put shoes on/off
Moving Sib toward potty training so it won’t take another 2 years until the twins are ready
Making sure Sib knows the difference between loud and quiet

So that’s why I always suggest giving the nanny lead time before the twins arrive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Preschool for the 2-year old, nanny for the twins. Less stress for everyone.

This!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Preschool for the 2-year old, nanny for the twins. Less stress for everyone.

This!

I am the poster who wrote this but the nanny who broke down her routine above plus her preparation strategies sound A Ma Zing.