Question for stay-at-home moms.?

Question

I am a stay-at-home mother of a 7 month old daughter and I currently don't have a car, my husband uses it for work.
So during the day I can't go anywhere.
My question is what do you do with your child all day?
I think my daughter is getting bored.
I take her walks in the stroller, sit outside on the patio and get down on the floor with her and play or read books.
Just wondering if you have any other ideas or what you do?

Answer 1

My friend, who is in the same situation says that when her son was that age she used to (and still does)do music and dance time. She would turn on music that she liked and dance around the living room like an idiot with her son in her arms. Good exercise and it entertains the kid... plus you get bonus baby smiles.

Answer 2

I am a stay at home mom with a 7 month old daughter, and I think the feeling is normal. My little girl is very active and a social butterfly; if we dont get to the store or something she becomes fussy! We read a few times a day, listen to music, sing songs, stroller walks, walk around the yard, and I get on the floor and play with her frequently. We also have a jump-a-roo for her that she loves to jump in whilst I do the dishes or run some laundry.
I guess it all depends how far you are from establishments that could entertain her. You could walk to the museum, mall, or anything with lights and people; that really entertains my girl. Really, I do think that the bored feeling is normal. We have a car and we get out and trust me-she gets bored, too, and I try very much to entertain her! I think it is important that they do learn to play with themselves for a few moments throughout the day though. She has some of her best fun with her toys on the floor playing solo!

Answer 3

I am in the same boat! Only my little guy is 4 months old. I am not sure what kind of work your husband oes if he needs the car for work or not or if he works far but maybe one day a week you could drive him in and pick him up from work so you have a car for that day. Unfortunately I can't do this because my husband is an installer and needs our van. If you have a bus close by you could go to the mall and walk around. What I did was join a group at our local church called SMILE (Supporting Mothers In a Loving Environment) and some of the women come over with their kids for a playdate or will pick us up and take us places. You could look online and see what your local church offers. Also we get flyers in the mail about courses you can take at local schools and bus trips if you read through those some of them offer mom and me classes at your local parks, schools, or gyms. If none of this is an option maybe you can babysit some other kids in your home during the day you can make some extra cash and your child will have other kids to 'play' with.

Answer 4

My son has an exersauser...he likes it a lot. We dance. I can sit him down somewhere and vacum...while making funny faces at him or dancing. While I'm washing dishes...I'll put him in the other side of the sink so he can play with the water. I hold his hands and we walk around. I think you're doing a great job already. I don't really think kids that young can really get boredI have a really messy husband so I spend most of my time cleaning up durning the day so I try my best to entertain my son while I'm doing things. I'm going to get him some blocks...etc. You're doing a great job though! I hate those mothers who put thier BABY in front of the TV all day long! If you ever need to talk...contact me!

Answer 5

I am a stay at home mom with a 7 months old too. I have our SUV, but I don't go anywhere. We just moved States and I don't know anyone. I pretty much do the same thing you do with your daughter. My likes it though. She sits up on her own and is starting to crawl so I sit her on the floor and let her go. I also let her watch about 30 minutes of Baby TV, she loves it. She take about an hour nap in the morning and about a two hour nap in the afternoon. There are alot of fisher-price toys for babies our daughters age, she loves her toys too.

Answer 6

I was in the same situation with my daughter and it was hard. I got bored too. But I got my bf to drop me off at my parents house before he went to work or had friends come over during the day. It sounds like youre doing everyhting right to me though. Just play with her. I now have a 6 month old also and a car(Thank God) lol. And sometimes we have to go places during the day because it seems like he is getting bored.

Answer 7

Is there anyway you can drive him to work and pick him up 2 days a week so you have use of the car? You are going to go nuts soon being housebound day in and day out and yes, the older your daughter gets, the more bored she will get because there is not enough stimulation.

When my kids were that age, I took them everywhere. Even the supermarket was stimulating.

Answer 8

My son is 11 months, and I teach him how to enjoy his time alone.

We work on warm/hot, up/down, in/out, bye-bye and hello, clapping, and of course walking.

We go for a walk, go swimming, go to a playground, go on a wagon ride, etc.

We also have a playgroup that meets once a week at a local playground or a house, so he gets expose there.

My advice?

1) Invest in learning toys and things to encourage walking and sitting up.
2) Teach her to enjoy "quiet time." Each day around 6:30 I put my son in his crib for quiet time. He knows that this isn't punishment, and he doesn't have to sleep. He occupies himself so I can eat.
3) Try new things--get out pots and pans, go on a picnic, let him play in water in a sink, etc.
4) Introduce her to other babies. Look into a play group. It will be your chance to get other human contact as well as her chance to interact with other babies.
5) Interact and start working on her motor skills. Go around the house and tell her what EVERYTHING is.

Answer 9

At 7 months, I doubt she's bored. When my first was that age, we only had 1 car too. And our day was pretty much like yours is. I can promise you that it does get better. They'll be more things to do as your daughter ages. And if you need the car, wake up early and take him to work one day if he doesn't work too far away. Just hang in there!

Answer 10

Do an online search for a "mommies group" in your area. They usually meet once a week, some everyother, etc. You'd be surprised how many of these there are. There may be one in your own neighborhood. If not try to start one. Networking with other moms for you and your sanity is crucial. It's also great for your babies development to play with other children.