Benefits of Bubble Machine for Autistic Children
"I want you to write down your top 3 distractions, whatever they may be.
Once you have them written down, all you have to do is eliminate them."
Excuse me as I pick myself up of the floor from laughing. You see, my top 3 distractions are my 8 year old, my 4 year old, and my 20 month old! I cannot really see myself "eliminating" them!
Now, of course what the guru meant was if it's e-mail, close your e-mail program, turn off your IM's, and shut down Twitter. But it also goes to show how different men and women, (and even women and moms) work from home. For the work at home mom, you can't simply "eliminate" your top distractions, actually, what you have to do is distract your distractions!
Here are a few tips for distracting your distractions if you're a work at home mom.
Play Dough
I only bring out the play dough when I am trying to work. And I only bring it out in the kitchen. Sure I end up with an extra hour of cleanup getting those little play dough pieces off the floor, but if I get anything accomplished in the hour it distracts them, I still consider myself ahead.
Bubble Machines
In my experience, a bubble machine is good for about 20 minutes of un-interrupted work time. These are those little machines that you put in a battery or plug it in, add a little bubble solution, and ta da - it blows the bubbles for you! They are best used outside, however, if I use https://shoppingsound.com/rockjam-lightshow-bubble-machine-with-built-in-led-lights-1-liter-of-bubble-liquid/ it inside, it tends to give my floor a bit of a between the mopping cleaning! (Now if only I could find a non-toxic floor cleaner that makes good bubbles, then I could really take advantage of this little invention.)
Computer Games
Although it only really distracts one child at a time, two at the most, I try to pick up educational computer games on a regular basis. You can get many for less than $20, some even less than $10. That way I feel a little better about letting my kids spend time on the computer. Depending on the game and the child, I can get anywhere from 20 minutes to almost an hour (or more if I let it go that far) of uninterrupted work time.
Nap Time
It's free, it's easy (if practiced regularly) and it's usually worth at least an hour! Yes, the afternoon nap. When my kids are too old for the nap (like my 8 year old), I simply call it a "quiet time." Set the timer, and set them on their beds with several books and get to work. The hour will be up before you know it.
Television
Well, I hate to admit it, but yes, I use the television to distract my kids. I have a television in the room with my computer, so I usually have them watch in there so that I can monitor what they watch. I've found that even on "safe" channels, there are often commercials or things that I may not approve of, so just to be sure, I make my kids watch cable in the same room with me. We also have a stash of DVD's that I've already approved of, and those they can watch in a different room. I've also discovered that the public library is a good source for DVD's to help change things up without costing me a fortune.
Last Resort
As a last resort, when I can't seem to distract my kids, I simply take a break and spend some extra time with them playing a game or reading a book or taking a walk. Sometimes all kids want is your attention, and there is no substitute for that. And that is what makes working from home so great!
The success of Shark Tale, the movie, starring greats like Robert DeNiro and Will Smith has made this flick a favorite for both adults and kids. Having a Shark Tales party is a great way to bring the theme to life.
Turn off all the lights and put in a blue lamp that makes the whole room look like its underwater. Bring in some planters with tall leafy plants in them. Beg, borrow, steal or simply use the ones in your garden. Surround these with sea pebbles or any smooth round stones. If you have any seashells, you can place them on tables and next to the bathroom sink. Add a fish bowl or two if you can get one.
For a Shark Tales party use a lot of seafood snacks (it's a fish eat fish world out there) such as shrimp cocktails, fish hors d'oeuvres or simply fish fingers if it's a kiddy party. Use a cookie cutter mold shaped like a fish for making cookies for the kids or the base for a hors d'oeuvre out of flour or bread slices. Bake or deep fry the base before adding the topping, which could be minced fish.
Invites are easily available at any department or stationery store. If it's a fancy dress party, you can rent costumes to dress like a sea creature. If not, you can dress for the beach in a colorful shirt and shorts or skirt. Add a bubble machine at the front door to greet your guests as they come in. Hang up a pair of flippers just over the front or bathroom door and suspend a snorkeling mask from a hook or door frame. Go ahead and swim with the Sharks!
