At the tail end of a longgg winter night that was also Day 4 of the hubs being outta town, I was touched out, talked out, and just plain burnt out.
Right before I started clawing at the walls, something in my back pocket came to the rescue:
RICE PLAY!
It’s one of the easiest and cheapest ways to save. the. day.
- If you’re inside, lay down a towel or blanket (because rice!), then dump those day-saving grains* into a small box, bin, or large lid. If it’s nice out, take the party outdoors.
- Grab a few toys, spoons, or tools to get your toddler started.
- Watch as their imagination explodes with ideas.
(JeeWoo gets SO into this. He runs back and forth, gathering cars, rocks, more spoons, cups, and all the things while I sift the rice with my hands and imagine I’m at the beach.)
THEN…
When they seep into a zone, tip-toe away and enjoy a little recharge time. (Recently, we did rice play on our back patio, and it was glorious. For a full hour, he played quietly next to me while I chilled at the table with my laptop.)
AND…
Rest assured that this sanity-rescuing activity is also super beneficial. According to Emily of Parenting Pop, it boosts visual motor skills, bi-lateral hand coordination, practical life skills, and sensory stimulation. If that’s not a win-win, I don’t know what is!
*Don’t have rice? Try beans. Don’t have beans? Try some soapy water.
Whatever you use, I have a feeling it’ll change everything!
This post is part of the Mama Be Present series:
A joy-sparking journey + free community for moms who desire simple yet impactful ways to connect more with their little ones.
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Brit Stueven 