Ideas to keep a 2.5 year old occupied at a wedding???

Question

Our very stubborn and willful 2.5 year old daughter is a flower girl in my brother's wedding this coming weekend and I'm very nervous she won't walk down the aisle OR behave during the reception. Does anyone have any tricks to get reluctant kids to walk down the aisle? Also do you have any activities to keep them busy during the reception? THANKS!

Answer 1

Use positive rewards as usual for good behaviour.  Show her more than once during the rehearsal what she is being asked to do.  She might just have to walk with one of the bridesmaids.  If she likes the camera take pictures of her during the rehearsal.    Have some treats for her after the reheasal so that when she is there for the real thing she'll know there are treats in store for her.

A 2.5 yr old is difficult to talk to . They get a lot but really, you can't reason with the child at that age. Be mom on the job with her and just do your best.  Expecting a totally well behaved two year old in a big situation like a wedding is expecting a lot, really.  

Have a baby sitter ready and perhaps instead of having her stay at the reception the entire time, pack her up with a baby sitter and send her home to bed where she should be by 7:30 or 8 PM any way.  That way she's done her *job* you don't have to worry and she keeps to her regular routine.  

Answer 2

make sure she knows EXACTLY what is going on through out the day, and what treats she will get for behaving.

remind her shes a big girl to be doing this and is doing really well through out the day.

also have someone on hand to take her out if she plays up, someone who isn't majorly bothered about missing the wedding.

maybe ask a friend or relation etc

just incase.

good luck

Answer 3

You  need to keep reminding her that they picked her to be in the wedding because she is such a big girl. You can tell her that she is going to look like a little princess, little girls at this age love to also feel important. You remind her how lucky she was to be picked for such an important event ( not in those words ). As far as the reception I would pack some favorite snacks, a favorite doll or blanket. Legos always worked for my girls. Good luck!

Answer 4

To get them down the aisle have you or daddy sit down front and then kneel down on the side of the aisle where she can see you and have her go to that person.  I would take her out at that point rather than having her stand up for the entire ceremony which can be tiring and frustrating for kids, especially that little.

As for the reception let her know what is expected of her in terms of being polite, table manners you expect, etc.. Take a coloring book and some crayons or a favorite lovey for her but I wouldn't take alot. You can also opt to leave the reception after the dinner  to avoid any unpleasant scene that could take place with your child if you think its a possibility.   I'm sure the wedding party and others would totally understand because of her age.  Your only other option is to take her to the dinner afterwards and let her eat and arrange for a sitter to come pick her up and take her home to play and unwind. That way you have filled her obligation as part of the wedding party and you've allowed yourself the chance to stay a little longer without worrying about unpleasant situations occurring.