Keeping Up with the Clarks: Out of Ideas

There comes a point in every day where I realize that I am out of ideas for things to do with Harper. We have colored, played with blocks, walked around the neighborhood, fed the ducks, played on the playground -- I feel like I don't know what else to do. I quickly remind myself that Harper doesn't need me to entertain her and I just need to let her find things to do. It can be pretty exhausting following a kiddo who is 16 months old around the house. We have fun, but most days I am exhausted. I try to run during her second nap (around 2:00) so that helps me get a little boost of energy. When I run during her nap, it is on the treadmill -- don't worry -- she is not alone.

One of my biggest struggles with staying home with Harper is that her first learning is up to me. The burden/pleasure of teaching her colors, manners, words, habits, etc. falls mainly on me. On one hand that is exactly what we want -- on the other hand, it puts a lot of pressure on me to know what is age appropriate, what she is ready for (developmentally) and making sure she is socializing with other children. That is not to say that people who don't stay home aren't teaching their children, all I am saying is that I have 10 hours a day (at least) where I have Harper all to myself. I mean, if she were to start saying curse words, people will look at me to blame. :)

The main reason that I feel that I am able to handle this daunting task is because I have found a great group of moms. Not only do we arrange play dates and field trips, we also text each other hundreds of times a week (not an exaggeration) about bumps and bruises, dinner ideas for picky eaters, educational activities and the ups and downs of motherhood. This fall we are starting a weekly educational play date and I can't wait. Harper and I will also be starting a 10-week music class this fall, and hopefully a gymnastics class this winter. I am looking forward to having set activities each week with her because sometimes I am just so tired. And those times are when we watch Curious George or Sesame Street. Haha. No television before the age of two I told myself. Things change. It is so strange how the exhaustion I feel from a day with her is so different from the exhaustion of teaching four classes of 30+ sixth graders -- and teaching them MATH. Harper is the cutest little energy sucker I know.

Here are a few moments over the past week -- this girl is expressive, passionate and brave.