We live far away from town in the middle of nowhere, and I am basically alone. My husband is a trucker and at the moment I am not working, but schooling. There are no kids for her to play with and she is a chatter box. It seems I cannot get anything done or have any quiet time. She has no one to play with but me, but I still need some time to get things done. Anytime I tell her, "Why don't you go and color while mommy does the dishes." or whatever, she starts to cry. She is totally addicted to cartoons, and at my house she does not get to watch them very often. She pouts and cries when I tell her this. She is constantly viaing for my attention and it seems to never be enough. For instance, right now, she is talking and talking to me and I can barely think. Help!
2006-06-27 06:37:25 · 11 answers · asked by Doodlebug 4 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
Do you have transportation? You might want to spend a day or so at a park with her. You will probably meet other mom's with children. When my ex used to be gone for months at a time at sea, it was just me and my two year old. I met another mom and we used to trade days for play dates. It would give us a day or two a week where we could run errands and get things done around the house. Unfortunately, since your daughter doesn't have any friends to play with, she has nobody but you. I know it's difficult to try to get something accomplished when you have a young child hanging on you...but please take the time to put the other stuff aside. Dishes can get done after she goes to bed. She will only be this age once and count it a blessing that she loves you so much.
2006-06-27 07:21:23 · answer #1 · answered by sosassy70 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Congrats: You are a mother. We all go thru this and guess what, it gets worse. Just hang in there. Maybe you can look in the yellow pages of your phone book to see if there is a daycare she can go to for a couple of hours a day. It doesn't cost that much and you can have your quit time as well. Or, better yet, you can organize a play group. Just get some of your friends together that have small children and alternate the days on which each parents will take the children for a couple of hours. Not only will you gets some free time, but your friends can take advantage of this, too. Good luck and have a great day.
2006-06-27 06:46:37 · answer #2 · answered by christy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like the problem is that she is really bored, and it's not possible for you to entertain her constantly (and, good for you - you don't let the T.V. be her constant companion, either!).
Are there some activities in town she could do from time to time? Like maybe a Story Hour at the local library once a week that you could take her to? It sounds like she could use some time outside of the house, in another environment.
Also, you could see if there is a local teen with a car who would be interested in making a little money - even an hour every day or so of having an in-home "helper" would give you time to get some things done, give your little girl time to be entertained by someone else, and wouldn't cost too much.
Finally, it sounds like she could use a little reassurance - maybe a little routine with you each day to make her feel secure and loved - like a special rhyme you say to each other at bedtime, a song you sing together in the morning, or anything like that you come up with.
2006-06-27 06:45:04 · answer #3 · answered by Marjorie R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I sometimes have this same problem, and especially when I am busy and have lots to do. I find it helps the entire day if I devote all of my attention to my child for 1 full hour. I even tell her "We are going to do some fun things this morning and then mom has to get some things done this afternoon." We play games, paint toenails, do arts and crafts, etc. It seems like a lot but she is much better about letting me do my things if she has had my undivided attention for a length of time. I also don't feel so guilty then about telling her to go play or color. Try it.
2006-06-27 06:45:35 · answer #4 · answered by luveeduvee 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most children go to kindergarten or school at that age and have that socialising thing happening, she's missing out on a great deal....so no wonder she's driving you nuts. Do you REALLY need to live where you do? The environment is not good for kids....one let alone any others you might concieve. If your hubby is a trucker surely you could live anywhere?
I'd suggest you move....asap. OR put all household chores on hold except for when she's asleep and take her for long walks...explain life, nature..be her best friend...until she starts school.
2006-07-04 03:20:41 · answer #5 · answered by Scully 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had the same problem with my son who is 12 now. When he was younger and he was the only child he followed me everywhere. I thought I would never even be able to go to the bathroom by myself. But eventually he found things he liked to do and we had two more sons. I have not had that problem with the other two. It seems it was just a problem with having an only child.
One thing that keeps my kids busy is an online game called Toontown. It is made by Disney and is a super safe online game for kids that teaches teamwork, problem solving, reading and math skills. I have even started playing myself when the kids go to bed. You should check it out at www.toontown.com.
This will pass in a while. I know it is hard, but hang in there!
2006-06-27 06:47:43 · answer #6 · answered by Wendy S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Buy her a box full of barbies and barbie stuff, like house and cars or whatever. Then she will be very preoccupied for hours. That is what I did when my parents did not want me around.
2006-06-27 06:44:03 · answer #7 · answered by Jessica 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Does she like to color? Does she like to dance? Maybe you could find out what she likes to do, besides watching cartoons. You'll get things done eventually.
2006-06-27 06:41:09 · answer #8 · answered by roxy81492 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
make a playmate for her when hubby gets home
2006-06-27 06:41:08 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
why not get her a pet she can call her best friend. i bet she'd love that!
2006-06-27 06:42:39 · answer #10 · answered by origchick 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋