09.02 Weekly Message

Hi mama!

Ah, the million-dollar question:

“How many activities does my little one need?”

And which ones are truly beneficial?

These questions are exactly why I started this newsletter. I spent so much time researching and pinning activities that I figured I might as well share my findings with other moms and save everyone some time.

So, to answer the question… in my opinion, a toddler needs…

• Less activities than social media might lead you to believe

• And, as many as your little one engages with

Here’s what works for us:

• We repeat activities ALL the time. I have my go-to activities that are evergreen and grow with us —things like music time, reading, yoga, affirmations, park visits, playing in her indoor movement area, and gardening. Most of these are part of her daily routine.

• I pick 4-5 new activities each week. I have a few trusted places for inspiration to avoid the dreaded “doom scroll”. I mostly stick to Pinterest since it’s easier to organize my ideas there.

• Everyday tasks totally count! Emi and I spend a lot of time prepping her meals, folding her clothes, tidying up, and taking care of our 27 house plants.

My motto is: Everything can be an activity, and everything should be an experience.

Find what works for you and don’t stress about keeping up with the latest trends.

If you are asking these questions, you are doing great mama.

Have a joyful week!

EAT: Last week was my husband’s birthday, so I needed something special. I decided on this Epic Chunky Beef and Mushroom Pie, and let me tell you—the name is spot on! It took a little longer to cook than the recipes I usually go for, but it was so worth it!

TODDLER LIFE: Emi is working on her brushing skills, and she does not want mama to help. I noticed with a traditional toothbrush, she misses a lot of spots, so I searched for a better option. I think this 360 brush might do the trick!

BUY: Labor Day Sales are in full swing! These are the deals I’ve got my eye on today:

• Magnet Tiles 18% off ➡️ click here to see it

• Life Cycle 50% off ➡️ click here to see it 

• Drum Set 30% off ➡️ click here to see it

• Wooden Stacking Rocks 19% off ➡️ click here to see it

CRAFT: One of my birthday gifts to my husband was a handmade wool hat. I made him one when we first started dating, and he still loves it, so I made another in a different color. I used this pattern but swapped the single crochet for a half-double crochet.

MOVEMENT: We love our Pickler set, but as Emi grows, so does her “toddler urge” to climb everything. If you're looking for other indoor movement options, here are a few more ideas: 5 Things You Need for Indoor Active Play

MUSIC: As I mentioned, we do music activities every day. For her independent play, I always set up a music tray with a tambourine, drum, and shaker and it stays out throughout the day. This lets her explore music on her own, and it's perfect for our family jam sessions!

LANGUAGE: Knuffle Bunny is one of those gems we found at the library and loved so much that we ended up buying it. The story is adorable (and so relatable for us parents), plus it’s short and fun to read. It is definitely a staple in our collection.

MINDFULNESS: I’m on time this month! 😅 Here’s the link to our September affirmations. Hope they bring joy to your little one’s day.

Click here to download this month’s affirmations.

ART: Got leftover yarn? Try this fun, easy craft idea!

ps. All my free printables are available here.

If you love to look at gorgeous setups, you need to check out @little.miss.kaye her Instagram is full of stunning ideas!

Make sure you visit her Instagram profile for more inspiration!

*All of the linked products are independently selected and curated by me. If you love and buy something, I may earn a commission.