Are you wondering what to do with all the Christmas cards you received this year?

Yesterday was the feast of The Holy Family of Nazareth.  It’s one of my favorite days to celebrate family life. As Christmas cards and pictures of friends and their families roll in through the mail during this season, we get great joy from looking at them together.  We get to see how all the kiddies are growing and take time to tell our little ones their names and stories of our friendship or kinship. Looking at the joy in the faces gives me such encouragement… that through the ups and downs of the year, the commitment to love prevailed and we can give thanks to God for the gift of each other.

Today on the journal we have a tutorial for a quick and simple DIY project. We turn all those beautiful family pictures into a lovely little album that can be used to keep our dear ones remembered in prayer.

GATHER SUPPLIES

All you need is 5 minutes, your pile of cards, scissors and a Dollar Tree photo album. 

Some pretty paper and a prayer card are optional additions!

HOW TO MAKE:

1. Cut out the biggest pictures from the cards and collages
2. (optional) cut pretty paper to size of the album sleeves
3. Fill the album with the pretty paper
4. Center one family photo inside each sleeve
5. (optional) Use a prayer card or another decorated piece of paper for the album cover

USING YOUR ALBUM:

One great way to use your album is to pull it out for evening prayer with your family.  You can offer thanks and special prayers together for the family of the day, asking God to bless them and hear their intentions.  Children love/ need tangible items to connect with what we talk about through their senses (#montessori #catechisisofthegoodshepherd).  They just delight in touching pictures of their little friends and naming the members of the families!

Another way I used to use our album was hanging it by our kitchen sink.  I’d have one family showing for a week or so and would think of and pray for them as I washed the dishes.  A bonus was to reach out to them somehow, with a phone call or text or a little note in the mail to share with them that they were in my thoughts.

Family life is such a rich gift but at times can be so trying and isolating.  Keeping visuals of those in it alongside us (even if living far away) can be such an encouragement to us.

Thanks for visiting us today at the place she made, and joining us in intentional living.  Sign up for free resources and placemaking goodies HERE, and I look forward to connecting with you again soon!

Love,

Serra Ann

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Have you been following my Instagram stories this past  month @theplaceshemade? If so, you’ve had a little peek into what goes into beautifying a Montessori space.  Today’s post gives Montessori guides (aka teachers), catechists, and parents ideas for beautifying their own given environment. I also share some before and afters of our most recent project.

First of all, I am not a trained Montessori guide! I have done a lot of research over the past few years on the Montessori environment, but I leave the material set-up piece to the professionals. This post focuses on what I am experienced with: taking what you’ve been given in a space and intentionally beautifying it for certain use.

Have you been entrusted with a space to care for? If what you are faced with seems pretty depressing, don’t be discouraged!  I am sharing 5 tips below that will make the ugliest room much more pleasant and inviting.

Looking at Whatcha Got

There are limits to take into consideration with any space. For example, a common one is the appearance and structures of an old building, and another is a small budget.  In this particular makeover, there could also be no painting of walls or changing of the carpeted floors. Thankfully, the carpet is an unobtrusive blue and works fine with the color scheme we’ve been adopting throughout the building.  The very grey walls pose a big challenge for the vision for these spaces. The aim is a sense of brightness and fostering an experience of deep joy. I love to incorporate white as well as natural fabrics and elements to help with this.

A Little About Montessori Classrooms

If you’re a Montessori guide, you could probably skip reading this paragraph! For others new to Montessori: in this method of education, the classroom materials used really speak for themselves.  Visitors not familiar with Montessori may wonder why the typical bright-colored posters, preschool decorations and plastic materials are not present.  Some at first glance may even think that it looks too “boring.” It is actually quite purposeful though, to make decoration choices so as not to distract from the incredibly beautiful materials!  

The Value of Beauty

“The objects surrounding the child should look solid and attractive to him, and the ‘house of the child’ should be lovely and pleasant in all it’s particulars; for beauty in the school invites activity and work, as adults know that domestic beauty nourishes domestic unity.”

-Maria Montessori, The Child and the Family

When so much focus goes to preparing the classroom materials, it is easy to neglect the overall beauty and feeling of the room.  For some, admittedly, big picture design just isn’t their interest or forte. It can also be challenging to be resourceful in using lots of second-hand furniture and materials without the whole room looking too “hodge podge.”  Again, an aging building paired with unfortunate unattractive colors and existing structures add to the challenge. This is where incorporating a few simple design guidelines can make a huge impact in a Montessori space. These can also be applied to your own home and work spaces!

5 Tips for Beautifying a Space

1. Discard or replace ugly or loud items. Sometimes it is easy to fall into using or decorating with ugly things simply because they’re available.  Plastic or glaring-patterned things can very quickly create an eyesore. They disrupt the peaceful ambience in an otherwise calmly-colored natural environment. Less (and lovely) is more.
2. Treat the windows.  Curtains or other fabric framing the windows really highlights the beauty of light and brings in the outdoors.
3. Draw the eyes up.  Utilize the height of the room to create a feeling of fresh spaciousness.  This can be done with installing curtains higher! Try draping large fabric scarves or hanging interesting beautiful natural items from the ceiling.
4. Draw the eyes down and around. Strategically-placed area rugs add so much warmth and welcome to a space.  I especially like large circular rugs as they add balance and a spirit of togetherness to boxy rectangular rooms.  Adding a number of identical smaller rugs throughout a large room can counteract the tendency toward “hodge-podginess.” Rugs magically make the whole area feel nice and cohesive.
5. Add greenery! As much as possible! Montessori celebrates the beauty of nature, and as humans we benefit so much from indoor plants.  After assessing how much sunlight comes in through your windows and where it hits throughout the day, decide which plants (high, medium or low level of light) are appropriate and bring them in.  If you don’t have sunlight, there are some very realistic faux plants that can evoke similar benefits to the real ones. Fresh cut flowers, or even branches or large leaves set in vases are other great options.

Transformations

I’ll finish with a few pictures of what a difference just these 5 things can make in a space.  I’m also a firm believer that the love poured into a room through beautification work forever impacts the persons who enter! 

Send me questions or your own favorite room make-over tips in the comments.  Happy Placemaking, friends! Love, Serra Ann

*traditional preschool classroom photo via https://kiddikollegechildcare.com/preschool-vs-pre-kindergarten/ and *Jacaranda Tree Montessori Toddler Community classroom photo via Simone Davies

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Are you ready to set your child up for smooth morning and evening success? As I’m preparing for the school year to start next week, I wanted to share one of our favorite ways to minimize morning and bedtime stress in our home…

*Picture Routine Charts!* Hooray!

 Yes, I hear this cheering in my head, that’s how much I appreciate these things and how they help nudge particularly resistant toddlers to keep moving forward. A yearish ago I made a rough one by hand for our then 3-year old, and it was an amazing little aid in helping her through frustrated feelings related to getting ready tasks. Thankfully, a routine chart is a quick and easy tool to whip up for your little one too! 

INTENTION 1: FOR INDEPENDENCE

I’ve briefly mentioned here before the Montessori principle of helping children experience independence as much as possible.  Some call it the “help me to help myself” concept.  When we have a radical trust in our child’s own process (along with an informed mind regarding their abilities developmentally), it is beautiful to witness what a child does with that space given to learn and grow. It’s true we accompany and support their process, but it is only when we hold back from interrupting and offering (too much) help, can our children have a chance to build self-confidence, a sense of personal agency and inner pride. 

I know I personally don’t give my children this opportunity to develop their potential when I rush us through a series of tasks. I tend to want to just quickly do most of it myself because it’s “easier” and more efficient according to the clock. It is challenging for me to be patient in the opportune moments.  When I think about it even more, much of my “inability” to allow my girls to practice and experience their own abilities comes down to me not being prepared beforehand. I need to plan for generous amounts of getting ready time, for instance. I need to have their materials ready (like clean laundry available, and a non-empty tube of toothpaste!). I need to have thought through and explained the process on their level. Clear morning and evening routines are a prime example.

INTENTION 2: FOR CONSISTENCY

Another key Montessori concept is having consistency in the environment. Children crave and thrive on order, and frequent routine changes can hinder their learning process. Having the knowledge of what to expect is not only comforting, but it allows the child to enter more deeply into her learning.

Making picture routine charts for our home keeps me from randomly doing things differently every day.  If one of us parents presents a particular process in one order and another does it differently, we might see our child get agitated. She may not be eager to participate because of the disorganization. She may assume that she won’t succeed if she doesn’t quite know where things are or what she is supposed to do.

INTENTION 3: FOR PARENTAL SANITY

Well thought out (and simple) routine charts take the pressure off the parent.  Do you, like me, hate feeling like the naggy nagger mother? It’s so unpleasant hearing my voice like a broken record saying “please put your shirt on… it’s time to brush your teeth… we need to use the toilet first, what happened to your shirt?” etc.  Instead, with our picture charts, we get to refer to the established routine and ask, “what does your chart say comes next?” 

HOW TO WHIP THEM UP 

1. Sit down and write out what your morning and evening routines look like now.

 Is there a particular order you are drawn to? Do you like it?  Are there new things you would like to start incorporating ?  Is anything unnecessary or not as important that you could leave out?

2. After making your edits, write a first draft of the new routines you’d like to adopt.  

It can just be on a legal pad or piece of computer paper!

3.  Try out guiding your children through this written routine (verbally) for several days to a week.  

See how it went… does the order make sense?  Were there any difficulties you could brainstorm a solution for? Edit your changes.

4.  Make your charts!

My drawing skills aren’t the best (i.e., my four-year-old: “Mama, what is this a picture of? Really? It doesn’t really look like that at all”).  This time around, I turned to canva.com to make some simple ones.  

*If drawing or making your own on the computer does not excite you, you are welcome to print mine or use a blank template by going HERE.  If you choose the blank template, you can simply copy and paste some free clipart into a Word document, print, cut and finally glue the pictures to the chart.*

5. Consider “extras.” 

Some families like to have their charts laminated and allow their children to make a check mark or large “X” over completed tasks with a dry-erase marker.  I’ve heard of others using magnets on a fridge or clothespins clipped along the side to have their children move over the item to the opposite side when they complete them. 

6. Place your charts in a communal space and at a visible height for your child.

Choose a spot where the routines are accessible to everyone for reference.

7.  Present the routine and charts to your family. 

Perhaps the night before you can bring the child(ren) to where the new charts are located and say something like, “I made something lovely for us, this one is to guide us through getting ready in the morning for the day, and this other one is to help us during bedtime.  Let me show you how it works and tomorrow we can try it out together.”

8.  Make sure both parents are on board! 

If you didn’t consult with your spouse initially, (which probably is a good idea, now that I’m thinking of it!), make sure you go over the charts with him and share your vision for how you’re hoping you’d both use them. Remembering consistency is so helpful for the child.

9.  Give the routines at least a couple weeks to take root.  

Perhaps some small details are bothering you after several days to weeks and you decide it’s worth it to make a small tweak or two to your routine. No biggie, just be sure to explain the changes to the child)(ren).  For example, “I noticed that we may like it better to do this part of our routine after this other part.  Let’s try out together today and see how we like it!”

GO FOR IT

Get your free picture chart templates and other great home resources by going HERE. Let me know if you try them out and how it goes!  Tag me @theplaceshemade on instagram with pictures of your own charts, I’d love to see them.  Also share any of your other routine chart tips for us in the comments below. 

Happy Placemaking! Love, Serra Ann 

PIN IT FOR LATER

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Intimidated by Montessori at Home?

A Little at a Time

When first exploring bringing Montessori living into the home, it can be a bit overwhelming as it seems like there is a certain way to set –up and particular way do everything. This is potentially paralyzing, especially for mommas who already feel overwhelmed or that they are “not doing enough.” 

I have found that designing our home and daily life with little humans in mind has happened in stages, taking it one little step at a time as my daughters grow and develop.  As they show me they are ready for more and as I am able, it is exciting to purposefully take time to prepare another area of our home life and then guide them through their learning.  

Do What Works for You

Admittedly, I’ve seen that often our girls are ready for more learning LONG before I’m prepared to “implement” new things, but I do what I can (and want) when I can, and look at Montessori in our home as a series of enjoyable and manageable little projects that just never fail in bringing out the best in all of us.

Last week I shared How to Make a Montessori Entry Way… if you haven’t had a chance to look how it turned out, check that out after this post, it’s really been a life-changer in our house.

Today I’m excited to explore Montessori-Style Snack Time with you!

Before Starting

Observe the Child

One of my favorite core Montessori practices is the emphasis on observing the child(ren). They communicate so much through their actions and it can be such a moving experience to take the time to notice their interests and current abilities.  Like I said earlier, we usually don’t realize how much our little one’s are actually able to do (and WANT to do) independently because we are just used to doing it for them!  

So, currently, observing my girls, for example:

Well, I know that Miss Mae (age 3.5) wants to do evvvvvverything on her own. When it comes to preparing food or setting the table, if I have taken the time to teach her what to do and where things go, she wants to run with it.  If she has the opportunity to chop, spread, or assemble food, she is eager and focused.  Lady Lou (16 months) is really into getting things out and putting them back where they go, climbing up and down from the snack table chair, learning how to use the water pitcher, and carefully carrying cups or bowls or plates from surface to surface avoiding spilling.  

In other words, I know they are more than ready to be given more guidance and independence in this area. Lately I’ve just been preparing their snacks and setting them up at their little table and occasionally we get out the placemats.  I’m looking forward to thinking through what will be a good fit for us, and recommitting to setting the girls up for success!

Ask These Questions

Before jumping into a new way of doing snack time, take a moment and consider:

• What does snack time currently look like for us?
• What is working? What is not working?
• How involved is my child in preparing the snack, in setting the table, in the cleanup process?
• What have I observed lately in my child’s abilities and interests surrounding eating time or otherwise?

Why Do It?

Although we often have snacks on the go, sometimes in carseats and other times picnic-style, when we are home, we aim to sit down together at the child-sized table for fifteenish minutes of nourishing food and togetherness between meals.   When I create a space for an intentional slowing down and incorporating beautiful touches into our snack time, I see it as a deep inhale during our day which grounds us then fills up for the next round of “exhaling” activity.  So right now my intention for snack time is a nourishing inhale.

What is your intention?

Setting Up Snack Time

The Preparation

Suggested Materials, all easily accessible to your child (see bottom of post for where you can source these):

• Child-sized furniture (or foldable tray or picnic blanket for the floor!) 
• Child-sized tableware such as plates, bowls, cups, utensils
• Placemats and Napkins (optional name places)
• Carrying tray
• Food preparation kitchen tools
• Snack foods (see below for healthy snack ideas for toddlers)
• Water source accessible by the child (future post coming on this!)

What materials do you already have? What other things would you like to gather?

The Process

FIRST you need an established process or routine (this should be thought out and decided by you, according to what you think a good fit would be for your family).  

Our family’s routine, to serve as an example:

1. Wash hands
2. Put on aprons
3. Set table 
   1. Load tray with placemats, napkins name places, utensils, cup and bring to snack table
   2. Set the table using guided placemats
   3. Bring cup to water source, fill up and bring back to place setting
4. Choose snack
5. Prepare snack items
   1. get out plates or bowls
   2. prepare snack
   3. put any utensils used (like knife, spreader, slicer, peeler, etc.) in bin to be washed later, return apron to hook
   4. carry snack to table and sit down
6. Blessing before meal
7. Eat, Drink and be Merry!
8. Clean up routine (more on this in another post!)

What routine might work for you?

The Presentation

  Second you need a plan for presenting your routine. Giving a “presentation” is basically holding a mini-lesson for your child on how snack time will go from now on.

I personally like the presentation pattern of saying to the child something like: “We have a new way of doing snack time at our home that I’d like to show you.  First, I will do it, then we can do it together, then you can do it all on your own!”

How will you explain your snack time process?

The Picture

THIRD you need a written list or picture chart of your routine- for everyone to be able to refer back to!

How am I going to make our process visually available?

Helpful Tip

Scaffolding Skills

Know you will need to “scaffold” your child’s skills, or in other words, start simple and then over days and weeks work up to doing your entire proposed routine… it wouldn’t make sense to suddenly dump dozens of new steps on these little guys and expect them to retain it well… instead, take little steps and allow them to manage more as you see them master more simpler tasks.  Give presentations as the child needs reminders.

For Example…

My scaffolding plan as we get back into our snack time routine is:

1. first present to Lady Lou (re-present/ remind Miss Mae) of our hand washing/apron-donning/ setting the table process (for a week or so, or until I am confident of their confidence setting the table, I will prepare and bring the snack to them, allowing them to observe my steps preparing)
2. then present and accompany the girls (for several days perhaps) in preparing a snack plate with foods that don’t take preparation (i.e. just putting crackers on a plate or scooping pickles from a jar and putting them in a bowl)  as well as our chosen process of cleaning up
3. finally present and accompany the girls in preparing all sorts of snacks and mastering use of various kitchen utensils (i.e. peeling cucumbers and hard-boiled eggs, slicing strawberries, cutting apples, rolling deli meat, etc.).  The options are endless!

Your Turn!

Now all you need is a “you can do this!” and go make it your own!  I’d love to hear any other helpful Montessori-style snack time tips that have worked for your family in the comments below.

Get our free printable cheatsheet for Montessori Snack Time At Home (which includes our handy list of Healthy Snack Ideas for Toddlers!) HERE.

Thanks for joining me today in living intentionally!

Love, Serra Ann

Resources

Below are some Montessori snack time supplies.  I always encourage to try to first use what you’ve got around the house, then look to borrow or thrift or find it gently used (through sites like craigslist or offer-it-up or facebook marketplace).  If these options don’t work or are not available to you, below are some places you can find them online. ***I may earn a small commission for my recommendation links to amazon.  Your purchase helps support my work here at tpsm, thank you!***

CHILD-SIZED FURNITURE:

Ikea Last Pine and White Table and 2 Chairs

Melissa and Doug White Solid Wood Table and 2 Chairs Set

Simple Grey Wood Table and 2 Chairs

Trendy Ivory and Mint Table and 2 Chairs Set

Windsor Kids Grey Table and 2 Chairs Set

Natural Wood Table and 2 Chairs Set

Kids Farmhouse Table and 4 Chairs Set (Several Choices for Type of Wood)

FOLDABLE TRAYS:

Bamboo Foldable Tray

Wood and Melamine Foldable Tray

PLACEMATS WITH PLACESETTINGS:

Silicone Toddler Dining Placemat

* I had fun doing a DIY embroidery on some thrifted cloth placemats, but you can also make your own with a sharpie on any old plastic mats like these

OR on Washable Non-Slip Table Mats like these

Many thrift stores have aisles of little sets of bowls and plates. I look for “corelle” brand (or similar) because they can be very beautiful but they also stand up well to toddlers dropping them on hard floors. Here is a classic white corelle plate set on amazon.com.

CHILD-SIZED TABLEWARE:

As for utensils, Ikea has a nice children’s 3-piece flatware set.  Here is a 12-piece Kid’s Silverware Set on amazon.com.

When choosing cups, think smaller the better for little hands.  Some people find shot glasses to work great (check your local dollar tree or thrift stores). We currently use some basic ones I picked up from Target when our old ones cracked, but here are some other examples of appropriately-sized cups:

Bamboo Toddler Cups

Stainless Steel Kids Cups

CARRYING TRAY:

Small Non-slip Tray

WHEW! I’ll save food preparation kitchen tools for another post!  Comment below if you have any questions. 

Sign up HERE to get your FREE SNACK TIME GUIDE with a list of healthy toddler snack ideas.

Thanks for being here at the place she made! xxo Serra Ann

Pin this Project for later!

This is the perfect kind of thing to incorporate during the slower days of summer. Pin it for then if you can’t get to it now!

The post DIY Montessori Snack Time at Home appeared first on the place she made.

Hello gals!

I’m excited for our first Montessori-themed post.  Winter is just wrapping up here as I write, so setting up our Spring entryway is a welcome reminder that the days of daffodils and rain boots are coming soon!

WHY CREATE A ENTRYWAY FOR A CHILD?

I’d like to start off this how-to with briefly noting why I made an entryway for my dear daughters, who are at this time 3.5 and 1 years old.  Taking a moment to notice when something speaks to me and think about why I am inspired to then incorporate it into our own home, (in my own way!) helps me to live with intentionality.  Identifying the purpose(s) fueling my actions beautifully enriches the experience of these little home projects and brings a deep-seated joy and meaningfulness to our space.  In this case, passing by our entryway and watching the girls use it brings me a smile in knowing that my devoted planning and work in our home is effectively providing a space for their development as persons.  It is so simple yet very profound!

Reasons to design an entryway for children

1. I want my children (and their little friends who visit) to have a strong sense of “you are welcome here.” I can pave the way for this feeling of belonging by providing child-sized furniture, a place for everything, and touches of beauty.

2. Having a place for everything needed to get out the door significantly decreases the inevitable STRESSFUL last-minute searches for necessary items like shoes or backpacks or that matching glove.  Stress is my least favorite thing, and a stressed-out mama bear is definitely not fun for the little ones. Having a place for everything allows us to have a consistent routine for leaving the home and also upon returning to it.

3. An entryway designed specifically for children provides a daily opportunity to practice the integral Montessori notion of attuning to the child’s need of  “help me help myself.”  When we do the least amount of work necessary to assist our children toward mastery (in tasks such as getting dressed, gathering school supplies, or returning personal items to their proper place), they gradually gain more and more independence and experience the joyof doing these things on their own.  

Without a designated space for preparing to leave, I end up being the crazy mother hen rushing around the house looking for items and pestering children to put their shoes on. When returning home from an outing, if there is not a place for everything (or if little family members are unaware of where everything goes), there ends up being a massive pile of clothing items and unsorted bags tossed just inside the door. I think this is especially difficult when living in a small space.

HOW TO MAKE THE ENTRYWAY

Steps

1. Assess your entryway space and make some notes of your set-up ideas. Some people have entire mudrooms, you may only have a tiny corner just inside your front door. We can make any situation work!

2. Make a list of what you need and gather your supplies. (Get a FREE printable checklist at the bottom of this post)

3. Set up the area rug, chair(s) and/or bench and/or sitting stool(s)

4. Designate a place for hanging outerwear and install hooks at an accessible height for your child(ren)

5. Designate a holding place (such as a basket or bin) for loose seasonal items (sunglasses, hats, mittens, etc.). I also like to keep a few small books for time waiting.

6. Designate a spot for shoes.  You can try a boot tray or a small rug, or even outline a box on your floor with washi tape. I was excited about trying out the washi tape but our 1.5 year-old kept gleefully peeling it up. We have a boot tray and hanging pockets for shoes just inside our front closet.

7. Consider hanging a mirror at an appropriate height

8. Add your own touch of beauty, such as art, greenery, labels, name tags, etc.

INTRODUCING THE SPACE TO YOUR CHILDREN

When introducing a new place and routine to our girls, I like to start by stating how we used to do things and then follow it by presenting our new approach.

Example Presentation to your Littles

1.  State how things used to be.

It could go something like this, with an upbeat voice:  “So Miss Mae and Lady Lou! I would like to show you some things… you know how we have been getting ready to leave the house before?  Mama gathers all the things and helps you get your coat and shoes on and carries your bags, and then puts everything away when we get home? Well we are going to do this a little bit differently now.”  

2. Give a tour around the space.

I might say, “Here is where the coats will go from now on.  Yours belongs on this hook, Miss Mae, and Lady Lou, yours goes here. Here is where you can find your shoes and where you can sit when you put your shoes on.  In this basket we keep your indoor booties and sunglasses and a little book to look at while you are waiting to leave.”

3. Model how to use the space.

“Now I am going to show you how we will use this area.  After my turn, we will do it together and then you will get to practice doing it all on your own.” Without using words, I would as best as I could (obviously may not fit in their chairs or wouldn’t be able to put on their clothing or shoes) walk through the steps of getting ready, “pretend leaving,” then return, and put all the items back where they belong.

4.  Use the space together and then allow the child(ren) to try on their own.

Go through the same steps of getting ready, “pretend leaving” and returning alongside your child, assisting when necessary and softly whispering prompts such as “the coat goes here” when they need a reminder.

HELPFUL TIPS

·     While assessing and creating your Montessori-inspired entryway, get down and see the space from your child’s perspective.  I like to just plop down on the floor and take it all in for a few minutes. From there I can see better things like distracting wall outlets or pokey edges that need taken care of.

·     Try to look around your home and use what you have before going out to purchase anything new. Is there an old stool not being used in the garage?  Left over command hooks from another house project? Some of your child’s artwork in a drawer that can be framed for a splash of color?

·     Check thrift stores for child-sized furniture.  I have found some really REALLY cute little benches at thrift stores, and I know of others who will simply saw down the legs of smaller chairs to make them just-the-right-size for their kiddos.

·     Allow some time for trial and error as you observe your child exploring and utilizing the space.  Maybe you decide the hooks would work better in another spot, or the mirror needs to be adjusted. Personally, I had to replace the chairs with more sturdy ones as the stools I initially used were so wobbly that the girls were nervous to use them.  After Maribelle kept yanking the picture frame down, I had to go back and add stronger command strips to the artwork, as well as replace our original command strip coat hooks with ones that could be mounted on the wall by screws.

·     Once you get into a groove, be as consistent as you can with the getting ready and returning steps.  Offer lots of patience and kind reminders. I have seen that our 3.5 year old responds better to statements of where things belong rather than commands, for example, “the backpack goes on the hook” rather than “put the backpack on the hook please.”  

Get your free DIY Montessori Entryway Checklist HERE

RESOURCES

I always encourage to first use what you have, then borrow or thrift or bargain shop if possible (if that is your thing), and then turn to Amazon for your materials. Here are some links to help with searching what works best for your family. ***I may earn a small commission for my recommendation links to amazon.  Your purchase helps support my work here at tpsm, thank you!***

Non-Slip Mats- similar ones here at amazon.com

Toddler chair set here at amazon.com

Chalkboard Hooks (Target dollar spot); White Hooks (Ikea), similar ones here andhere at amazon.com

Mini baskets (Target dollar spot), similar ones here on amazon.com

White Paint Marker from amazon.com

Tobit 8 Wedding Artwork by Dovetail Ink

FISKBO Frame with Plastic panel (Ikea)

SPF 50 Sunhats on amazon.com

Shoes- Similar moccasins here, similar sandals here on amazon.com

Rain Boots (thrifted) and Bogs on amazon.com

Child-friendly umbrellas on amazon.com

Toddler cat-eye sunglasses- similar ones here on amazon.com

Aquinas Kids board books here on amazon

Happy Placemaking!

Thanks for joining me here at the place she made and please share any of your helpful child-friendly entryway tips or resources in the comments below!

Love, Serra Ann

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Chickadees and rosy cheeks! Winter offers us so much beauty, yet the cabin fever can make that toughest hour of day with toddlers more challenging. Here you’ll find a simple plan and fresh ideas for surviving and thriving through winter at home with small children.

get through the toughest hour of the day with your toddler

Many parents call it “the witching hour,” that dreaded time of day when our little ones are usually feeling their worst and Momma is bordering on going bonkers.  Is it worse for you in the winter months too?  Today we are arming ourselves with some great go-to ideas on keeping your cool during those rough hours.

one of those days

I Started writing this post after one of these intense afternoons.  When I couldn’t get a hold of my husband, I called a trusted friend in tears and said, ”Honestly, I am losing it! I don’t know what to do.” After some comforting empathy, (cheers to having friends who are also therapists!), she suggested, ”well at this point, there’s always Chick-fil-A.”  Brilliant!  We don’t eat out much and that option did not even occur to me.  

Piling my daughters and myself in our little Honda Fit, I opted for the drive through experience, (what pleasant people at CFA!) and parked in front of our home for an early dinnertime, car-seat style.  As emotions were calming, I thought about how hard it is to problem-solve when we are overwhelmed.

A little bit later that evening, obviously still having some strong feelings about the matter, I typed out this reflection for some catharsis…

a cathartic reflection

It’s 5:30PM and the kids are losing it. I am more losing it. My HSP body has reached its max of stimulation for the day and now the whining and sibling aggression and random messes and the fact that the crockpot meal hasn’t cooked fully yet is all just putting me over the edge. 

 I HATE this place [of overwhelm]. I so earnestly want to be gentle and patient but I in actuality cannot, truly cannot answer another question or think of another snack or entertainment option to hold them over. Feeling mad that work is keeping him late again.  Then I think of all the mothers who don’t have someone coming home soon and am grateful for a second (ok, a half second because I’m still fuming) that my husband doesn’t travel often, etc. (annoyed eye roll)

Mostly, however, I’m frustrated that I’m depleted and overwhelmed again at this point in the day. How I really really really don’t want to be in this desperate holding place, just waiting for my relief pitcher. He is going to be tired too when he gets here, who wants to come home to this cloud of negativity?

My mind briefly flashes to an image of relaxed wifely me in a pretty apron, children waiting calmly (CALMLY DANGIT) at the table with just-the-right-level-of-warm food.  I showered earlier (yes!) and am wearing something besides exercise clothes. All the dishes are already washed because I don’t want them looming after bedtime routine… it would just be quite nice to have them out of the way so we could sit together for two seconds before we ourselves need to get some sleep.  Oh, if only the ironing was done too, all the clean laundry put away, children’s clothes and bags ready for the next morning.  A candle lit even! [end daydreaming]

Many days I really am ok with meeting less than those ridiculous expectations (are they that ridiculous, though? Maybe they’d be realistic one day?). I can be proud of my effort or just smile that there is dinner made… or that I just stopped running around doing so.many.things. and got down and readthe girls a book… and we end up having PB&J… OR that I did push through doing the last load of laundry and got them all folded.  

In this season of small children, though, every few weeks an overwhelming evening like this hits me without warning.I need some serious reserves or new ammo. I’m resolving right now to put together a “HEY, YOU CAN DO THIS” list for when the fight/flight/freeze response occurs within. No longer will I pine away at the slow minutes passing until that long-awaited text rings “leaving soon” or “omw” and at last the front door clicks relief of “DADDY’S HOME!”  I won’t be stewing with bitterness and ridiculous defensiveness that “I’m left to do it all alone again.”  

I’ll have a game plan.  

the time is now

I’m relieved to finally be gathering good ideas to equip us to approach this time of day confidently. Below I’m sharing my current collection with you in case they could help you in your hard hours.

Get a PDF version and our free list of winter activities HERE. We’ll also include blank templates so you can easily make a plan for your family’s “witching hour.”

our winter game plan

STAGE 1: PREVENTION

Do everything you can in the first place to to stay far from your breaking point

Complete evening preparations BEFORE afternoon rest time (for me, that is supper started, laundry in process, clothes and bags ready for tomorrow)

• TIP:a slow cooker is your best friend, make a crock-pot meal during lunchtime if you can
• TIP:when kids change out of school clothes, get tomorrow’s clean set ready for the morning
• TIP:clean out backpacks and lunchboxes right away

Establish a rest-time for everyone in your daily rhythm

• TIP: make sure YOU rest during rest time too (spiritual reading, a cup of tea, bath or shower, catnap, do something craftsy)
• TIP:do your resting self-care AS SOON AS family rest-time begins. If you just start to run around trying to get home care tasks done, or waste time scrolling instagram right away, your chance to “inhale” will be gone before you know it (inevitably a baby will wake and a toddler will need help in the bathroom, etc.)
• TIP:use earplugs to dull noises and to help restore your body to calm before the storm

Be prepared to be present

• TIP: as rest time comes to a close, put personal projects on hold, finish that podcast, resolve to be “all there”
• TIP: give yourself a pep talk or say a prayer before “releasing” the children from their rooms
• TIP: turn your phone on airplane mode and put it in a cabinet out-of-sight

STAGE 2: PLAN SOME GOOD FUN

Intentionally make it the norm to do simple, light-hearted activities to turn the toughest time of day to the favorite

Have a fun snack together

• TIP:Keep a list of fun snacks to reference when making your shopping list
• TIP:  Involve children as much as possible in the kitchen preparation.  They LOVE it. (I hope to do some posts on Montessori kitchen work at home!)
• TIP:Remember that non-desirable snacks make your three-year-old angry (see first tip in this section, ha!)

Go outside, go outside, GO OUTSIDE

• TIP: have clothing/gear for all kinds of weather, and have it accessible
• TIP:have a list of nearby nature spots so you can pick one quickly and go
• TIP:keep a nature table in the home where the children can observe little  collected artifacts and recall your adventures together

Choose sensory and/or gross motor activities 

• TIP: choose activities that will help your kiddos release energy and then sooth their bodies
• TIP: have a list of (mental or written) of your children’s favorite games (i.e. hopscotch, Simon says) as well as some new games to try
• TIP: have ideas for indoor play handy, when outdoors is not a possibility (get our free list here)

STAGE 3: JUST HANG IN THERE

When the anxiety starts rising, start thinking outside of the box so you can make it a little longer

Change up your routine

TIP:  do dinner early.  Sometimes everyone is simply hungry-angry and it helps to get a good meal in the bellies. We can sit down again when Daddy arrives and have fruit or dessert while he eats dinner.

TIP: take a quick trip for a change of scenery.  Go to the grocery and let the girls choose a random addition to dinner.  Go to the library and read a book to them in a different space.  Go to the chapel and whisper prayers and songs together.  

TIP: curb your “woe is me” thinking and go visit a neighbor.  Get out of yourself.  Ask them to tell you about their day or bring some of the girls’ latest coloring creations to give as a gift.

Have a back-up bin

• TIP: Thrift stores and Dollar Tree are your best friends for little books and toys.  Have a basket of random things that are sure to delight (i.e. silly puddy or a lizard that grows in water, etc.)
• TIP:Keep a few books aside from your recent library haul for moments when a new story would be an attention-grabber
• TIP: have a little stash of arts and crafts supplies like washable markers, scissors and glue, popsicle sticks and pipe cleaners, etc. and let them create

Facetime storytime

• TIP: Send grandparents or aunties funny books or have them pick up a few from a thrift store so they can have material for impromptu storytime.  
• TIP: If no books are handy, ask them to tell their own story.  Sometimes just a new smiling face with fresh energy and love for them helps everyone take a deep breath and step out of a cranky cloud.
• TIP: if no family or friends are available, let your little ones look at pictures and watch videos of themselves and loved ones

STAGE 4: GET HELP NOW

You’re officially overwhelmed, need to accept the emotions and reach out for support

Call a friend 

• TIP: call someone on speaker to help you stay calm and choose kind(er) words toward the girls
• TIP: vent or cry out the feelings and ask for a word of encouragement 
• TIP:ask a neighbor to give you a 15-20 minute break and go for a little walk

Put on a movie

• TIP: put on a happy show or movie for the girls, and then go do some deep breathing or progressive relaxation near the essential oil diffuser
• TIP: set a timer and speed clean something (my sister’s recommendation)
• TIP: listen to a relaxing playlist or uplifting podcast while the little ones are interested in the movie

Go for a drive

• TIP: again, change of scenery does wonders… announce you are going on an adventure together and explore a section of the town or city you’ve never visited
• TIP: scrap dinner plans and go to a local drive through, put on the radio!
• TIP: grab some munchies from home or a nearby gas station and go through its carwash

making it your own

Sign up HERE to get your Surviving and Thriving Through Winter bundle

• lists of go-to winter indoor and outdoor activities
• list of toddler winter snack ideas
• templates to make a game plan for your family
• PDF copy of our family’s game plan for reference

Finally, please share any of your go-to tips below!

With Sisterly Love, Serra Ann 

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