I have a 1 year old son and he seems to be bored and lonely because we are normally on the computer or busy?

Question

what can we do to make him more happy and enjoy playing. We are only planning to have just the one but I am having second thoughts as to should I have another one so he won't be bored. Any ideas on toys for an only child that can keep them amused for hours or for the time it takes for me to check emails and study?

Answer 1

never have a second child so the first one isnt bored....it is irresposible. As for what to do with your sons boredom....play with him, show him how to play and find out what makes him tick, what he likes.....thats all you can do but maybe spending your computer time when he is sleeping/napping ect is a better idea so he can have the human interaction he so desperatly needs at his age

Answer 2

Because he is bored and lonely. As for keeping him amused for hours GOOD LUCK if you find a toy that does that send one my way. When you have children they should be your first priority. You need a routine one where, when he is sleeping you are studying/emailing. He is one so he should be in bed by 8pm at night sooner if he is a good sleeper do your work then he should still be having day time knaps so there is another few hours during the day for emails or put him into daycare one day a week that one whole day for yourself to study and he is having interaction with other children then work around your child for the rest of the week. He is not going to be this way forever and you are missing it. It may be easy now but when he gets to 18mths onwards you will have your hands full he will get into mischief just to get your attention, even if it is negative attention it's still your whole attention and kids are smart and he will soon figure that out. You said we in your emails so I assume you have a partner which is good when dad is home some quality time for him and bub you can do your thing then your done and spend time with your son. What your doing is not fair to that little boy he needs his parents, why did you have him to just ignore him. Don't have another child it's not he answer.

Answer 3

Nothing is going to amuse a 1 year old for hours and please don't plop him in front of the tv.

Kids grow up so fast and you are going to miss these little moments after he's grown up and doesn't give you a second thought.

Having another one is simply going to take more of your time for the months your new baby will be dependent on you.

Stop every so often from your studies and internet and play with your son. It takes so little to have meaningful interaction with your child. Set up a little area where he can be in your company, maybe a small table where he can color or draw or do puzzles. He may be too young for that yet, but just 30 minutes reading or interacting with him will make all the difference.

Answer 4

This sounds like a serious question. You can't make a baby be less bored any other way, than to interact with him. Don't have another, it will just get harder. If you are having this much trouble dividing your time, maybe you could ask "grandma" or "grandpa" to spend some time with the child. The problem is this: If you don't spend the time with the child now, he will have more trouble learning as he gets older. You need to help him to see how to learn, how to look at books, how to do lots of things. This is why you ought to ask for help if this is really a concern of yours. Don't let your independence get in the way, as any help you can get with your son will help all of you in the long run. If you are studying to help yourself get ahead, can you split the study time between you? Can you get someone to take him for a couple of hours for you, or come in and play with him, while you are there. Sometimes a younger babysitter will be happy to be there at the same time as you, kind of like training. This would help her, and it would help you, too. It is like a "mother's helper", and the 10 or 11 year-old gets to "babysit" even though she would not usually get that opportunity. The only way to keep a baby from being bored is to interact with it, and spend time with it. Try to devote some time to your son. If you need to reduce your classload, then you should do so, as he will not be a baby for very long. You will only have memories of his infancy and childhood.

Answer 5

Go on the computer while he is sleeping. Give him some blocks-hopefully soft ones so when he throws them they won't break something. You should take lots of breaks while on the computer if he is awake to play with him or read to him. He should be more important to you than your e-mails. I wouldn't have another child if that is the only reason you can think of to have another one. You will just have 2 children feeling bored and lonely. I hope that you can readjust your priorities and make your child #1 so later on in life or in just a few years he doesn't feel like he is second best or farther down the list in your life.

Answer 6

So are you going to keep having kids you don't have time for because the other is bored? That's crazy! That child needs human interaction, not toys to keep him busy. You need to talk to him, play with him, read to him not buy him toys. While you are studying or checking emails, maybe his father can play with him, then you can switch so that he has equal time from the both of you. Children need love and attention, not just toys or siblings.

Answer 7

There is nothing better than actual human interaction at this point in his development. Is there not a way during his nap time you can do bills, computer stuff, etc... He will develop better speech and processing if he has increased stimulation through actual play time now. It will save you a lot of heartache if he is able to function well later on because he was given the time he needs now. I'm really not trying to be critical, I just know from experience he will be a better student later (and need less of your time for homework) if his brain gets activated by human interaction now. I'll stop talking, but if you can you should start talking, to him, even if it seems he may not have a clue as to what you're saying or reading to him. Just play with him.

Answer 8

Well to tell you the truth no toy is going to replace you or his daddy. You should not have another child just to give him a playmate you should only have another one if it is something you want for yourselves. As for a good toy well there are tons out there but every kid likes different things. Actually though a child his age has a very short attention span and its not likely that he will be able to amuse himself for hours. You are just going to have to find a way to do both. Kids need our attention and when they are very young they need it a lot of hours a day. Maybe hire a nanny or something to come in and play with him while you do your homework.

Answer 9

Turn off your computer and play with the child. He will only be this adorable for a short time.

Another baby will take at least nine months, and it will not be ready for him to play with for at least another year or two. Besides, what if they don't get along?

Do your studying and checking of emails when he's asleep.

It may take you a little time and effort to slow yourself down to a 1 year old level, but it is eminently enjoyable once you get used to it. You will have the greatest fun growing with him as he does. Read Jean Piaget on the stages of childhood and the things they are thinking and doing inside their little minds all the time.

Answer 10

I understand. I go to school online and work online (sell AVON), so I am always on the computer. The way that I have worked it, once a week we go to the park and play as long as he wants. every morning we play for a hour or two and then he watches Blues Clues his favorite. I get on the computer, then when he gets board with that I play with him more. I put him down for a nap about 1 or 2 and do my thing then.

Just play with him and wear him out when you do, you'll get more done that way... I understand....

Robin