Hello Cuties, I thought I'd give an update to our little Rylan with the head injury. He went for his checkup and doctor said doing well. However, Rylan can't do anything this summer that most kids are doing. No swimming,no riding toys, etc nothing that may cause injury. I will be caring for Rylan while parents work, no more than 4 days a week. I am rather nervous that something could happen while in my care. Can you think of entertaining QUIET activities for a 2 1/2 year old? I read not too much screen time (Television) for patients with concussions. I think this would mean Rylan too. I think doodling with colors would be okay...any suggestions. Doctor says no swinging, no this, no that but doesn't suggest what CAN do.....

Toogie - just Google: water play table and you'll see what they look like. He will love playing in it and it shouldn't be dangerous. Your idea of the bean bag toss is excellent. He could also help you water plants each day. My little grandson loves the hose! Hugs, Laura

I saw this cute idea for Rylan's age. Find a big cardboard box (the bigger the better - like an appliance box) and let him sit in it and color the inside of the box to his hearts content. Just remember to collect the crayons when he is tired of it so they aren't used to color on your walls!!! I was also thinking about some things to do outside: throwing games - a sand box and perhaps a water table. Little guys his age love playing with a hose. Good luck - please let us know how it will go! Hugs, Laura

4 comments

by toogie 21 May 2019

Laura, what's a water table? Am I the only one who doesn't know of this?
Throwing bean bag toss would be good. My husband has a 'washer board game' they call it. A wooden box that they toss large metal washers in the holes, from a distance.

by meganne edited 22 May 2019

Expanding on the bean bag toss would be coits, or horseshoes, skittles, big jig saw puzzles, puzzle blocks, where they fit the different shapes into indents on a board.
pick up sticks, jacks, noughts n crosses depending on his skills of course, potato painting, shops, doctors n nurses, afternoon teas and picnics,

by meganne 22 May 2019

Oh and don't forget magazines and scrap booking, making things from greeting cards, etc. You're going to have so much fun. They're all things you can do, he can help or watch if you make it exciting and interesting and I couldn't think of anyone more capable of doing that, than you.

by graceandham 22 May 2019

I always said if you give a little boy a hose with water dribbling out of it, it's like tying him to a rope in the yard. They are fascinated by it. (Probably girls, too, but I had boys.)

Big LEGO blocks, cars, coloring books, beginner scissors and cutting fun, glue, books, play doh, puzzles, baking cookies. That should take care of the first 10 minutes. I don't envy you sister!

2 comments

by toogie 21 May 2019

You got that right, but my grand daughter has a friend, not working steady right now. She said she once worked at a nursery with 1 & 2 year olds. She said she would help me entertain him, like they did these little ones, if I needed her to come over. I just may take her up on it!

by jrob 25 May 2019

Don't pass up good help.

Hmmm...quiet and 2yo are incongruous! Maybe a fiddle book?

1 comment

by toogie edited 21 May 2019

That sounds good..... you have time to make one?-I don't!-lol

So sad to hear about his injury. Sending Prayers and well wishes. One thing we did to keep an older boy quiet with little movement, was to go fishing. It wasn't a great fishing hole, LOL, as we spent alot of time waiting for a nibble. Since no water/pool play allowed, we set up a small basin/wash tub with some floating toys and items, and others that would sink to keep him entertained. To cool off, an inflatable small boat with just a little water in it-- provided cushioned support to relax while cooling off a bit. Best wishes for a full recovery!

1 comment

by toogie 21 May 2019

Thank you for your ideas.

I don't blame you for being nervous, but remember we will be praying for the safety of Rylan and you whenever you need us to pray. I love the ideas of reading while cuddling, finger painting, play dough, simple cooking and so on. How about a trip to the library for the Children's Reading Time? It is a quiet activity so won't stress him or you. He might enjoy watching the plants grow in your garden or even doing a little watering. Perhaps the library has some children's books on tape so he doesn't need to stress his brain with both auditory and visual stimulus. Since he can't be very active, it is a great time to introduce him to lots of fun crafts and he is going to be spoiled with lots of attention. I think you will look back at this time and remember it as a golden time filled with lots of good memories and filled with laughter and smiles. The stress will be left behind.

1 comment

by toogie 21 May 2019

You are so kind and I do hope all this will soon be behind us and he will be 'whole' again.

Toogie I use to purchase videos for Caleb when he was that age and I kept him. Don't know if they still have things like that or not. They were for his age and he would watch them over and over. I remember that purple dinosaur use to drive me crazy but Caleb would watch it for hours at a time. There were many more interesting ones he liked so maybe you can find something like that.

1 comment

by toogie edited 20 May 2019

Movies would occupy him, but not too much screen time, 30 min. I think the brain needs rest and all the eye movement in a movie or concentrating must be too much 'excitement' for the brain. I had got 3 movies at the library before I knew this because I thought that would be a good quiet time too...Hope you are doing well.

I know you will do a fabulous job. Children of that age usually do not have the stop mechanism or even a slow down... My prayers are for you!

1 comment

by toogie 20 May 2019

That is what I'm afraid is keeping him from moving too fast...

I don't suppose he'd be allowed to sit in a wading pool either. Summer can be dreadful without some cool water fun. As others have suggested, helping you sew or cook, and reading sound like good ideas and the quiet walks. Maybe a trip to a zoo or museum? Good luck and I hope you both can enjoy yourselves and not be distressed. Children's board games, maybe?

1 comment

by toogie 20 May 2019

No pool period. Thanks and zoo sounds nice but we're 40 miles away.....

I am happy for you and your family Rylan is doing better. I always loved painting with water colors. Lots of good ideas and comments for you to look though. Make sure you get rest too! Suzanna

1 comment

by toogie 20 May 2019

Thanks Suzanna!

Looks like you have some great ideas below, Toogie...I agree with Angie...I would think a helmet would help... Have you discussed a helmet with his doctor? He would still not be able to do the things you listed above, but it might help in the event he took a spill. It will be challenging to be sure... How about letting him help you with your embroidery...pushing the buttons on your machine when needed... Let him pick out a fun design, then the threads and make some T-shirts for him...

1 comment

by toogie 18 May 2019

They have expressed their desire for a helmet but dr insist he doesn't need one because none of the skull is missing. They said helmets are for patients with part of skull missing.

OH Toogie I feel your concern. You have some good ideas given already. Also perhaps a daily walk to see the beauty of nature around you. Are there animals you can visit like horses?

1 comment

by toogie 18 May 2019

There are animals around yes but a walk holding his hand sounds good.

Out of ideas. The attention span is so short at this age. I am still thinking he should were a helmet. Could you sew some quiet books with shoe lace, matching shapes etc. Plastic Canvas and yarn to weave with? I do not envy you. Oh yes my girls used to love age appropriate puzzles.

2 comments

by toogie 18 May 2019

Nice ideas thanks

by graceandham 18 May 2019

If you can find an old tape recorder, make a tape of Mom, Dad, and/or you reading his favorite books. That way when you're both tired or you're driving, he can have his stack of books and be entertained. Works with a phone too but I don't know about putting a phone in his little hands or about the size of the file on a phone.

Looks like you will have your hands full. He will miss not being able to do the things the other children are doing. You have some good ideas below and am sure others will come up with more. Give him a big hug from me. Hugs to you also.

1 comment

by toogie 18 May 2019

Thank you Shirley, keeping him safe will be stressful so I hope I can do it. I sure don't want anything further to happen to him.

Well Toogie looks like your going to have some fun. Painting, colouring, cooking. My boys enjoy grating cheese, making bread and topping for crumble. Lego/Duplo, simple jigsaw puzzles. Reading, reading, reading. Maybe look on Pinterest to get ideas. Good Luck and if I think of more ideas I will add them

1 comment

by toogie 18 May 2019

Thanks Angie for all these ideas.

Hi Toogie, from my experience with our grands they all loved finger painting at this age. It's an outdoor activity of course and as it's nearly summer it's a great way of being outdoors and the best place to be.
Also playing with Play Dough. Of course any paper and glue making activity like blowing up a balloon and making papier mache things. You will need kids scissors etc. I used to cut up the paper and let them go wild with the designs on the balloon. Just a couple of suggestions, I'm sure there will be many more. Love Chris

2 comments

by graceandham 17 May 2019

Toss him in the tub for that finger painting, then a bath! Can he play in the sprinkler? Duplos/Legos, and building blocks. A card table tent, with toys and books inside. Dress up hats or capes, so lots of pretend. Puppy or kitty?

by toogie 18 May 2019

Thanks both of you.

No sprinkler Betsey, danger of slipping down.