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Game you can play lying down: Tattoo Parlor

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in: Fun & Learning

Amazon: Crayola 12ct Washable Markers Merrill's a brave, creative mom who has hopefully hidden the Sharpies:

I was a mom of a 4 year old and an infant.  I was tired.  My 4 year old had long since given up her nap and my baby was a great napper – during the day.  Did I mention how tired I was?

One day after Baby was down for a nap, I gave my 4 year old a box of washable markers and I stripped down to my undies.  I grabbed a pillow and lay on the floor and we played Tattoo Parlor.  She covered my entire back (legs and arms too) with a work of art and I got a much needed 20 minute nap.  It washed off with no problem.

I love it. Other possibilities:

  • Hair salon: You sit in a comfy chair while your kid brushes your hair
  • Massage Parlor: You lie on the floor while your kid give you a backrub
  • Pet store: You're a sleepy doggy your kid gets to "pet"
  • Mummy: You lie on the floor, the kids wrap you in a sheet, you occasionally make scary noises but otherwise remain motionless

Other ideas?

Related: How to find downtime when your kid won't nap

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About Asha Dornfest

Asha Dornfest is a writer, parent, and insistent optimist living in Portland, Oregon. She is the author of PARENT HACKS, co-author of MINIMALIST PARENTING, and co-host of the Edit Your Life podcast.

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Recent posts

  • Edit Your Life Ep. 120: Feed Our Democracy
  • Edit Your Life Ep. 119: Modeling Imperfection [Rebroadcast]
  • Edit Your Life Ep. 118: Coping With Parenting + Work Overwhelm
  • Edit Your Life Ep. 117: Media & Entertainment Favorites, Vol. 4
  • Episode 116: Tackling Challenges + Insecurities

Comments

  1. Rob says

    May 18, 2007 at 9:53 am

    That must be dog tired, because I personally wouldn’t be able to sleep with all that writing being done on me, LOL.

  2. Elana says

    May 18, 2007 at 10:47 am

    This is the best.hack.ever.

  3. Lyn Never says

    May 18, 2007 at 11:03 am

    Aw, my mom had me draw on her legs so she could nap when I was little. I loved it.

  4. M'Lynn says

    May 18, 2007 at 11:10 am

    I can sleep no matter what. I will definitely keep this hack filed away in my mental rolodex!

  5. none says

    May 18, 2007 at 11:12 am

    I wonder if I could trust my toddler to not wander off and find the one surface the markers wouldn’t wash out of?

  6. Kimberly says

    May 18, 2007 at 12:04 pm

    Tried this during a 4-day snowstorm when cabin fever struck. Not only were my legs colorfully decorated, my toes got a “pedicure” too! Whoever invented washable markers should be nominated for sainthood.

  7. marisa says

    May 18, 2007 at 12:17 pm

    A hack after my own heart!!!! Fabulous!

  8. Zed says

    May 18, 2007 at 12:23 pm

    This is a fabulous hack, and I plan to use it, except that I would call it “Draw on Mommy Time” or something like that. I oppose permanent tattoos, so I’m not so inclined to call it playing “tattoo parlor.” I know, I know…it’s not going to scar their little psyches, but it’s the principle of the thing. There are other parallels. For instance, you wouldn’t play “animal poacher” if you opposed animal poaching, would you?

  9. Chris says

    May 18, 2007 at 2:16 pm

    Water table/bathtub is another good way to combine the parent relaxes/takes care of essential functions and the toddler plays happily, especially if you can be temporarily indifferent to spilled water out of the tub.

  10. Nedra Zeall says

    May 18, 2007 at 10:44 pm

    Washable markers! Man I had makings for days. I had just grabbed any marker the last time I let her write all over me. It actually started because she said she wanted tattoos like Mama so I drew a bunch on her. Our tats lasted for a couple of days. I never said I was a smart parent.

  11. Jennifer says

    May 19, 2007 at 7:40 am

    Best. Idea. Ever.

  12. scurvyann says

    May 19, 2007 at 3:15 pm

    Can’t wait to try this one! THANKS! Maybe we’ll use the scented washable markers for an aromatherapy treatment!

  13. Mama Luxe says

    May 19, 2007 at 5:46 pm

    HYSTERICAL! This is what I have to look forward to, huh?

  14. fidget says

    May 22, 2007 at 7:29 am

    excellent idea, though knowing my kid I’d peel myself off the floor to find a body outline CSI style on my new floors

  15. mamacita says

    May 23, 2007 at 12:49 am

    You can also play “human hot wheel track” while lying down.

  16. DaveX says

    May 23, 2007 at 9:08 am

    “Haircut” (involving only combs, brushes, hairties, NO SCISSORS) works equally well for me. I usually wouldn’t want to actually fall asleep, but some down-time laying about is equally nice.

About the Author

Asha Dornfest is a writer, parent, and insistent optimist living in Portland, Oregon. She is the author of PARENT HACKS, co-author of MINIMALIST PARENTING, and co-host of the Edit Your Life podcast. More about Asha »

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