Kids' House kids out and about!

Spring is so close I can almost taste it! Today I received the below picture from daughter, Annie. Looks like my grandson is settling in to his new yard quite nicely.

She told me she has been having a little trouble getting Ellis to listen to her when they are out and about. Given the date, I think it's appropriate to say there are THREE things certain in life: death, taxes and selectively deaf toddlers. I reminded her of what we do at Kids' House: art hands.

If you live in Madison you might have seen our group around looking a little something like this:

August 2012 at the Chazen.

Voila!  It's as simple as quietly and firmly announcing "art hands" and all of the kids can go pretty much anywhere as long as they lock their little fingers together behind their backs. If they don't listen, they hold on the stroller; and we all know that is a BUMMER. By using "art hands", we get to go museums, stores (including places like Orange Tree with LOTS of breakables)...really anywhere. I am a firm believer that if you give the children the opportunity to surprise you, they will. Plus, who wants to stay home all day?

Try it out at home. Be consistent and your little ones will soon realize the freedoms they can enjoy if they exhibit a little self restraint. I start with toddlers as young as two and they quickly fall in line. Look for us next time your out...we are always running around town!