Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Memphis, TN

There are a lot of things that can ruin a preschooler's otherwise perfect day.

HUGE injustices like being out of apple juice or losing their favorite stuffed animal are crimes that some kids act like should be punishable by death.

But what's funny about young kids is that the things that REALLY worry you aren't even on the top 100 of what your preschoolers are worried about.

Five things that REALLY matter to a preschooler:

1. Consistency - Your preschooler might not realize it but she really likes it when things are the same and she can predict what's coming next in her day.
2. Storytime - I haven't met a small child yet who doesn't enjoy a good read.  Usually the best books are the ones with LOTS of bright pictures and not many words so that the story that you make up together is different every time.
3. A good snack - Never underestimate the power of a good snack.  Cara's favorite right now are green apples.  Not only is a snack a good way to keep your kid's blood sugar on an even keel [and so avoid a low blood sugar meltdown] but snack time is also an excuse to take a break from the craziness of the day and devote fifteen minutes to your kid and only your kid.
4. Bath time - Bath time is the highlight of Cara's day.  Bubbles are a must and the entire tub pretty much has to be filled with toys.  I look at bath time like I look at snack time - both are scheduled times when nothing else matters but Cara.  The day fades away and all that matters is whether or not Cara gets soap in her eyes.
5. The playground - Actually, outdoor time in general.  Cara doesn't care if the playground cost 5 million dollars or if the playground has 5 tire swings.

1. Where "that" has been - insert your own definition of "that".  I've asked it a million times and I'm sure you have to: Do you know where that has been?  All most preschoolers care about it that they have it now and what it was doing before they had it...well...they don't really concern themselves with that little detail.
2. The sugar or fat content of ANYTHING - As parents, it's our job to worry about those pesky dietary facts, not our kids'.  And if you've ever given your preschooler the choice between a yummy wholesome breakfast of plain oatmeal and a bowl of Fruit Loops, I'm sure that point has been glaringly obvious.  On the bright side though, a little bit of sugar won't hurt them and in the grand scheme of things its probably listed way down on the list of things that a parent has to worry about.
3. Clothing - I don't mean whether or not your preschooler is wearing any clothes though some are fine without.  I'm talking about a preschooler's lack of interest in their clothes matching.  "This bright pink shirt is cool!  OH!  I LOVE this red and gold plaid skirt!  PERFECT!"  Though we may cringe when they pick out their own clothes, a preschooler needs to assert their individuality and clothing is probably one of the most simple ways of doing so.
4. The price of their toys - The cliche that when given the choice between the toy and the box that it came in that a kid will always choose the box isn't too far off the mark.  Kids can make a toy out of anything and they don't care how much or how little you spent on it.  Cara is just as happy playing with a disposable bowl and one of my wooden spoons as she is when she's playing with a really expensive toy that one of her grandparents have given her.  [Just don't tell them that.  Ok?]
5. Sharing - What's mine is mine and what's yours is mine as well.  Right?  That's what a preschooler seems to think.  Sharing is one of those social skills that everyone learns eventually [hopefully] and a lot of parents force the concept on kids when they just don't have the mental wherewithal to get it.  Be gentle when your kid nabs another kid's toy and explain things in terms that they can understand.  Use as short an explanation as you can and don't talk too much about "right and wrong".  One day they'll surprise you when they "instantly" get it.