Rough-housing with My Son

get passes to the county and state parks, or go to local free parks. Mix it up, parks, gym, swimming, take walks in the neighborhood. I am lucky enough to have a park in front of my house and one behind my house. Trying going to the neighborhood school and play on the playground when school is not in session. you could also get an exercise ball and let him roll with that. I think that the idea of the mini tramp may be best, he can be jumping while you are there and as he gets older it will have benefits too.

Don't neglect those regular outings you must do, like grocery shopping, post office, etc. While out, stop by Petsmart or Petco and let him look at the animals. Browse through Borders or stop in on a storytime session. The walking will wear him out and stimulate his mind and language.

Rainy day? Take pillows from sofa and toss on floor and jump. I'm a bit compulsive, but realized that a messy house and short-term chaos was worth the calm afterwards. Make playdough (recipes online) and let him punch the dough.

More ideas? A great book to get "The Out of Sync Child Has Fun" by Carol Stock Kranowitz. Available at the public library. Nothing wrong with your little guy. The book just offers tons of activities to stimulate sensory integration, which can benefit all children. You can learn to modify activities to suit your schedule. You'll be surprised to learn that many of the games you probably played as a child were beneficial on so many other emotional levels.

You're enrolled in two great programs. Don't overdo it. Your home won't and shouldn't be a gymboree 24-hrs. a day. Children can get overstimulated. So can Mom. When the weather breaks, it'll be a bit easier to keep him busy. The park and backyard will help. I wouldn't be too concerned about a lot of playdates with other boys, unless you feel like refereeing and apologizing the entire playtime. When he turns three there are pee-wee sports classes for soccer and basketball where he can wear himself out. Meanwhile, keep up the good work.

Hi. Our toddler is also very active and one thing he enjoys and which wears him out is letting him jump on our bed. It's a lower bed, but we also corral him on each side so he doesn't fall off. 20 minutes of that might be the trick. Good luck.

I also like the mini trampoline idea. They now have them with a net around it so they don't fall off & get hurt.

P.-
My guy had a mini-tramp in the living room. He used it all the time. As a matter fact, up until about 6 months ago. He's now 11.
S.

Hi P.! I have two boys and they are both very physical. We have a back yard with a swing set and that is the best. Even if it is a little cold 30 - 45 minutes is okay. Also the park. My fellas were climbing on stuff very early (still are). I do not know about all boys but mine need a lot of physical activity and really the best is just plain going outside and running that energy out of them. I try roughhousing with my fellas and they beat the heck out of me (biting, hairpulling, etc.) so I try to leave that to Dad since he can take the beating. Also, you may want to find someone else with boys to get together as a play group. Best wishes - boys are the most fun!

Once he gets old enough you can channel that energy into housework....:)

i think your pedi needs a check-up from the neck up! yes, kinetic littles need lots and lots of physical activity, but why one would extrapolate from that to encourage aggression toward other living beings i just cannot fathom. little boys with exploding energy have always found lots of creative ways to work it out, long before the *experts* came along to explain to 'em how to do it. trampolines, punching bags, martial arts, bicycyles, trees to climb, swings, building pillow forts, raking leaves, chasing games, the list is endless. but i would certainly not rough-house, especially if you're not naturally inclined to do so, and gently disengage whenever it gets so overwhelming that he's tempted to bite. just think of all the great exercise you get keeping up with him!khairete
S.