What is the difference between a two year old at the beach vs. a three year old?
Answer: The beach consumes the two year old and tires them out. The three year old at the beach consumes you, the parent. So I have a couple of tidbits of advice for when you bring your three year old to the beach.
1. Limit the toys. One large pail, one small one, a couple of shovels of different sizes. Maybe a small truck or two. Anything more is overkill.
2. Bring a swimming vest. Holding a three year old in the water is a lot harder than a light weight two year old.
3. Make sure they go to the bathroom before treking our on the sand. If your three year old frequents the bathroom, then think about staying near one.
4. Expect to spend more time with them teaching them the ins and outs of building sand castles, digging holes, and water pools. Cherish this time with them.
5. Be sure to educate them on beach safety and etiquette. No throwing sand or rocks. Avoid playing right on top of others. Stay clear of wildlife, dead or alive. Most important, do not run into the water without help from Mom or Dad. Expect to repeat these instructions over and over again.
6. Give them some freedom to run around on their own. Chances are they will make a friend or two. Just make sure they play nice with their new friends' toys and share their own.
7. Getting a three year old to leave the beach can be a challenge. Bribery works. If we don't leave now, we won't be able to get ice cream after dinner. Watch them run!!
