Please evaluate my day...does this reflect yours with your toddler?

Question

My son is 18 months old..... we get up about 7:30, eat breakfast together. Then I get him cleaned up & I usually start cleaning up from breakfast...he usually makes a mess in dining room while I clean kitchen...then we play a little (he gets bored fast with that) so we go upstairs make beds get clothes ready for the day (9 ish) we go back downstairs, get dressed play some more, bored bored bored, around 11-12 we usually clean up again have lunch..after lunch we read some books & he goes to sleep 12:30. 2:30 he's back up & he usually helps me get dinner started, 4:15 hubby home we all eat dinner together 5:00 clean up dinner hubby and son get a few minutes quality time together while I clean.... hubby goes to shower me & son play again....bored bored bored, he doesnt seem to like to play anything then we suffer thru this until 7:30 when its me & son turn for baths, out of the bath by 8 read until 830 then bed for son and TV for me until I go to bed. What do I fill the bored spots wit

Answer 1

Ok, I just read your other questions and I answered the one about finding playgroups. Now that I've read your other questions I can see that you've hit a rough spot in finding things to do with your son.

First let me say that your day sounds normal and you are normal for thinking it's boring sometimes. I'm reading some other responses about people crawling around on the floor and doing craft projects. We all do those things sometimes but, let's face it, we are human and we only have so much energy. Your son sounds normal too- they have such short attention spans at this age it's hard to keep them occupied with any one toy.

Other people gave great ideas for activities so I won't add to that. What I do think that you should make as a goal each day is to get out of the house, at least once, even if it's really cold out and you feel like it's a hassle and you're tired. I felt the exact same way yesterday afternoon...I was tired, it's freezing outside so I bundled up my son and got in the car and drove to the Dollar Store. I told myself I was looking for stocking stuffers but we really just walked around and it made the time go by until my husband got home.

I think finding a playgroup will give you something to look forward to and take the pressure off you a bit to be the sole entertainment for your son.

It's okay to focus on your own needs. Being a stay-at-home mom is great but also draining. You might feel better if you found an activity to do when your husband gets home. For instance, I take an exercise class once a week. It's just great to get out and see other people and be free of my son for an hour.

I hope you are able to find or start a playgroup in your area and I think you'll find that your time will fill up fast. Good luck and take care!

Answer 2

My son is 14 months old....he gets up every morning between 4:30 and 5:00 am, then it's and climb on everything he can, chase the dog, empty the Tupperware cupboard and finally pull all the bottom decorations off the tree.......it's hard to be bored driving Mommy nuts!! After a few hours of mayhem he takes a short nap (30 to 45 Min's.) and I clean up all his messes. After the nap we play with his millions of toys.....bounce in his bounce house, bug his sister until she plays with him too (she is 14), chase each other around the house on our hands and knees until I am too sore to do it anymore. When he gets a bit whiney I read him a book and try to relax him....yeah that works for about 30 seconds and it's back to wrecking the tree. Later he helps me unfold all the laundry then we color. When his big brother comes home from work he hangs on him long enough for me to get dinner started then he's back to hanging on my legs. Daddy comes home and he plays with him then he's ready to make a mess in his high chair for dinner. Around 8:30 his Daddy takes a shower and I make lunches for the next day while Daddy and he play in the shower. If I am lucky he will sleep but he is not much of a sleeper, so I am normally up keeping him happy and playing with him.
There is no time for bored spots and right now he is sneaking a Christmas cookie.....sugar thats what he needed!!!

Answer 3

Sounds pretty typical. Reading stories, playing with playdough, building with blocks, taking walks, and dancing to music are some fun things to do that might aleviate the boredom. Bake cookies and let him help measure and mix. Maybe some simple crafts. If you can get a copy of the book "The Preschooler's Busy Book" by Trish Keffner you can find lots of ideas for crafts and activities to do together. You can find a slew of ideas of games to play on huggieshappybaby.com in their activity center. Other good things to do during the day are to go to the library for story time. They usually read, sing, and do a craft at library storytimes. Your son might not sit still the whole time, but it would be a nice change of scenery and a good opportunity to meet other moms with kids your son's age. Then you could schedule some playdates. You could also try looking for a chapter of the moms club in your area. www.momsclub.org. They do lots of fun activities for you and your kids to enjoy and meet with other moms. Enjoy!

Answer 4

Introduce more imagination into the play time. Try not to rely on electronics and expensive toys. Read to your son, take a walk outside, play with lizards and frogs, take him to the park, look at birds, color, pretend he is a superhero, make him a costume, let him fingerpaint outside, find other children his age to take to the park. There are so many different things! If he's still bored, then you've spoiled him too much...;). He'll eventually learn he doesn't need material possessions to have fun.

Answer 5

Yes!!! Exactly! Maybe you should join a play group like previous people have posted. I never thought I could get into this, but I have been in a playgroup for a couple months now and I love it. It's so nice to have someone to talk to and someone for my son to play with. Also, the activities are usually free or very cheap. I found my play group at www.meetup.com.

Answer 6

when he's bored change his scenery... take him for a walk.. or to the zoo one day... maybe a pet store.. or a playground... to the mall to walk around.. kids love seeing and interacting with different people.. some kids dont enjoy being stuck in a strict routine.. so spice it up some.. have you started coloring yet? maybe you can try finger paints outside.. or chalk.. maybe you could try getting one or two new toys and keep them in seperate areas of the house... so there is something new to do --- what about some tv time... sesame street, mickey mouse playhouse... all that stuff.. its educational and it will occupy him for awhile and give you a bit of time to yourself throughout the day.. my son is 14 months old and so far has enjoyed all of what ive suggested... GOOD LUCK!!!

Answer 7

Well for you during the day you have to find a moms and tots or playgroup.that way hen can play with other children,..your child has to learn to play by himself also you cant entertain him all day......and at night time its time for daddy to step in abit more he can do bath time some evenings.i understand he worked all day but so did you.come on dad help out more....for Bordem time try sitting him down with crayons and a book ...

Answer 8

Here are some fun ideas...

Playdoh (supply plenty of "tools" like plastic knives, rollers...)

Sand/water table (can get kind of messy so you may want to do this in the kitchen)

Music session (instruments...homemade or bought, singing, CD's)

Finger painting

Games (Can you? example...Can you, touch your nose?? Can you, jump really high??)


Hope these help!!

Answer 9

find a mom's club ... or a play class. my 18 month old LOVES her music class. It gets both of us out of the house and also gives me contact with other adults.
Also, some libraries and bookstores have story times so check that out too.

Answer 10

Try taking him to the library to play (change of scenery for both of you). Go for walks, or try a baby swim class...my son LOVED that.