Guest Author Corinne Jacob shared some great tips on how to keep the kids busy when you have stuff to do.  She suggests a combination of engagement and diversion, both great tactics depending on what you need to do.

She shared a great quote, “Moms are always on call.”  That line, from Author Susan Newman’s The Book of No: 250 Ways to Say It – and Mean It – and Stop People-Pleasing Forever, definitely captures the mom’s shift (24/7).  Here, Jacob shares some sage advice for supermoms around the world on how to keep the kids busy when you need to focus on something else.

Doing chores

A chore for a chore – that’s one of the most effective ways of keeping kids busy when you have a number of errands to run. You may be surprised to learn that kids actually love it when they are assigned household chores like arranging their books, running the vacuum cleaner, etc. This is a great way to help them develop a sense of responsibility towards their home and family.

Editor’s Note:  This is my favorite, and I love getting the kids involved.  I’m about to publish another article on this very topic.

Make an account of kitchen stocks

Get the kids involved in taking inventory in your kitchen. Give them a list of the items that you generally buy every month and have them give you a stock estimate so that you know what quantity of each item to buy. It will also be a good idea if the kids can write down their estimates of the quantity they think you should be buying.

Register on virtual worlds online

There are a number of safe and educational virtual worlds for kids.  Virtual worlds such as Neopets can engage kids (and adults like me!) for hours on end. There’s a lot to explore and learn – discovering new lands, playing mini games, and of course, looking after your pets.

Care for pets

If you have a pet at home, then putting it to your child’s care while you’re busy finishing other chores is a good idea. Kids will grow a sense of duty towards their pet while looking after the pet’s needs and interacting with them. And all the ‘running around’ will give them the much needed exercise that they generally avoid!

Make crafts and projects

Kids are the happiest when they have a bunch of craft supplies with them! Engaging children with crafts and activities while you are busy at another important thing is a foolproof solution of keeping both the parties contended!

Author Bio:

Corinne Jacob is a wannabe writer who is convinced that kids learn best when they’re having fun. She is constantly on the lookout for new and exciting ways to make learning an enjoyable experience. Corinne loves all things that scream out un-schooling, alternative education and holistic learning.