Need Advice on Activities and Discipline for My 2 Year Old Daughter...

It's 100+ here too so we do indoor stuff. We go outside in the morning before it gets hot and play on her playground. We get out her splash pad that she loves playing in. I also got a pool from walmart that is 6 ft diameter and about 2 ft high, it's huge, and was $10.... in their seasonal section with crayon-looking ladybugs and stuff on it. She likes to color and read sometimes. We go to the indoor swimming pool, she loves to play in the shallow end and slide down the toddler water slide. Even with a 14 month old, you should be able to play with both of them in the water and keep them close to you. There is an indoor bouncy house we go to. We go to the wildlife museum every now and then b/c my 2 1/2 yr old loves animals. Sometimes in the mornings before it gets hot or in the evenings when it cools down some, we go on neighborhood walks or on nearby trails (for GA, there may be some nature trails?). My 2 1/2 yr old lovessss to blow bubbles. We do it indoors. I got a bubble battery operated fan to save my sanity with it lol.

Disciplining my 2 1/2 yr old: I have read how to parent the strong willed child and am in the middle of doing that. My daughter is very strong-willed. I do positive discipline with some time-outs if she hits or says shut up (with that stuff there is no warning, she just goes to time out). I have a book that has ways of saying things you don't want her to do without saying no you can't which has worked wonders. I have read scream free parenting for me and have built up a lot of my patience over the years so that I don't become a yeller. She seems to imitate my behavior a lot so I set a good example and remind myself little eyes are copying me lol. When she takes a nap, my parents watch her and listen for her and I go to the gym for me time. It really helps me keep my cool so I can be consistent in the discipline area :o)

Like others, I suggest going outside early in the morning. I don't think I have any new activities to suggest.

For discipline, I really like "Mini-Methods or Madness" by Janie Peterson.

Get outside anyway~ Your kids need to sweat and get the toxins out of their bodies. Run them up and down hills and driveways, go to the park and let them slide and swing like crazy. They need the sensory input to calm their brains and make life much easier for them and you!

I don't know if any of these will work for you but here are some things I do with my 17 month old and 3 year old:

- bubbles outside (early morning or late evening)
- go to the mall early before stores open and let the kids just run around and ride the elevator. The only other people there are employees and mall walkers.
- www.kidsbowlfree.com - can get passes for local bowling alley for kids to bowl free all summer
- google free movies for your zip code. Most theatres offer free movies during the summer for kids
- take shallow plastic bins and fill them with water outside. Give the kids measuring cups, spoons, buckets, etc and just let them play in their bathing suits.
- look for local places that have story times - library, nature preserves, etc
- look for local parks that have paved walks through the woods, let the kids walk and explore
- look into classes at the local rec center or YMCA for your two year old
- fingerpainting
- find simple recipes and spend a morning or afternoon baking
- create a tent and/or tunnels inside the house with blankets, chairs, etc - my boys will play for hours in these
- have a picnic indoors for lunch or snack time
- go to the library to pick out books or movies
- age appropriate crafts or coloring
- sidewalk chalk (again early morning or late evening) - we like to make mazes
- begin a container garden that your two year old can help tend
- play groups with other kids (you can find these through your church or even online)
- local pool or splashpark
- let both kids help out with chores around the house - I'm always surprised at how happily my boys jump in to help. Of course, often the chores take longer, etc, but I'm okay with that because they are learning to help.
- does your 2 1/2 year old still nap? If not, you could teach her to have quiet time in her room while the younger one is napping. Just put her in her room with some music or something and tell her she can play quietly or look at her books. It gives you time to recharge.
- for shopping trips, give the 2 1/2 year old a small list with pictures on it of what you need. Have her look and 'find' the items in the store

Overall, I've found that the days are always best (discipline-wise, etc) when I plan them out. I try to always plan on one fun activity (it doesn't have to be anything major; little kids get excited to just be doing something) and one house chore per day (in addition to the obvious chores that have to be completed daily- I try to make it so the kids can help or feel like they are helping). There is usually time for more, but some days are harder than others, and if I only plan for one chore and one activity then i don't feel hassled. Hope this helps some. =)

yeah its been unreasonably hot here in Florida also. If you have a ymca I'd join up. She needs a way to work off her energy. She can take swimming lessons with you. She can go play on the playground (hopefully it has a cover) and then you can drop them in child care and get some space yourself. Try to get them out early if you can. I know its already in the 90s by 830. But if you get them going early and get the energy out they will be ready for a relaxing afternoon. Can you get her a tricycle and walk around the block with her in the morning?

I have a 14 month old and he alone wears me out! Do you have a baby pool or sprinklers? That will keep them cool and happy outside for awhile. I put the gate up in his room and let him play while I sit in there and work on stuff or read. I'm right there and he can play all he wants without getting into things.

I would read Positive Discipline by Jane Nelsen. She has one that is for 0-3 years and one that is 3-5 years (preschool), as well as a general one for older kids. I love the information in her books. I have all three because I have kids in all the different age ranges.

As for activities, get a pool. If it's too hot for you to watch her in the pool, get one big enough fro you to sit in it with her. It gives them nice outside time and something to keep them cool while doing it. That's the only way we can go outside in TX! It's way to hot/humid otherwise.

Other ideas is to see if you have a Children's Museum nearby. They often have things for kids her age. Get together with local playgroups. If there are none you know about, if you go to church, I'd ask fellow church moms if they want to get together for play group.

I think 14 month olds are often easier than 2 yr olds;-) But if you approach it correctly, you'll be able to encourage proper behavior from her. I really like the books. Oh, and since you have two kids, I HIGHLY recommend reading "Siblings without Rivalry". That is an AWESOME book. I"m almost done reading it and think it's great. It'll benefit you a little more as they get older, but even know, it'll be very helpful.