I hate handicrafts! Puppet shows, Lego and Playmobil too! I don't like this whole indoor activity with small children at all. I'm more of an excursion type. This is also due to the fact that I usually fall into my afternoon hole after work and would actually like to open my eyes for 10 minutes instead of mimicking the horse for the young Bibis and Tinas and crawling through the living room on all fours. This article on horizontal parenting is just right for me: "How to entertain your kids while lying down" (currently how you entertain your children while you are resting). Sounds pretty much like the very best idea in the world to me.
What does horizontal parenting mean?
The idea is as simple as it is ingenious: childcare while lying down. So mom or dad puts their feet up while the children, at best as quietly as possible, are busy themselves. After all, it's not that easy to keep up with the kids' energy levels. Especially if you have had a terrible night, the day in the office was exhausting, or because you are no longer four years old and are bursting with strength. Then you just want to rest while the little ones play with or next to our relaxing self. And that is exactly what Horizontal Parenting means. The idea is not new, but it's pretty good, at least I think and that's how horizontal parenting works:
Horizontal parenting for beginners:
Baby playing: baby playing The best idea ever: play baby, doctor or cat. Of course, you are either the tired baby cat, the sick patient or the little baby that urgently needs to sleep.
Who can be quiet the longest? Sometimes it works better, sometimes worse and lasts longer or shorter depending on the age of the child. In any case, a good game to interrupt loud shouts.
Read the book: Not quite as relaxed, but at least you can do it lying down. It's something.
Letters or frame rates: The child paints pictures, letters or numbers on my back with my finger, which then have to be guessed. Including free petting. The baby cat is purring in me.
Horizontal parenting for advanced users:
Sofa games: Move your sofa slightly in the middle and let your children run around it. Meanwhile, you rest and only pretend that you are a monster that wants to eat. Afterwards the kids are really nice knocked out.
Get and take away: Probably the best idea! Ask your child to bring different things, e.g. something blue, something that looks as if it has been enchanted, something that glitters etc. and then everything has to be put back exactly where it was brought from. Because you, as a mom, of course know exactly where it was before.
On quiet feet: Close your eyes and let your children sneak past you as quietly as possible. If you hear a noise, they have to start over.
Wellness massage: Just let your kids drive their cars and trucks around on your back – better than wellness.
Now move on to the horizontal and test what the games offer.