Sometimes we think our small ones aren't ready to get us some energy back after but here's a great example of what one mom of a 4-year old did that was a huge success. Enjoy reading!
My child didn't want to come in the house yesterday evening and by the time she did, I calmly told her we couldn't have a story because that used all my energy up and that she had to help me get it back. She thought about it, tried to muster up some tears, and went down to her room. She came back a while later, having changed into her PJs, and told me she was going to help me by washing clothes while I read my own story and handed me my kindle. She loaded her dirty clothes into the washer, started the water, asked me to help with the soap (I did) and told me to go back and read.
My child didn't want to come in the house yesterday evening and by the time she did, I calmly told her we couldn't have a story because that used all my energy up and that she had to help me get it back. She thought about it, tried to muster up some tears, and went down to her room. She came back a while later, having changed into her PJs, and told me she was going to help me by washing clothes while I read my own story and handed me my kindle. She loaded her dirty clothes into the washer, started the water, asked me to help with the soap (I did) and told me to go back and read.