New Mom, Need a Hobby!!!?

Question

Hi all! This seems like it would be simple enough to solve, but I just can't find a hobby! I am a new mom, to a 4 month old. I am used to working full time, but working is NOT an option right now. I am not used to being in the house this much, and I would LOVE to get into a hobby. All I do is chores around the house, and take care of my baby. Then when he is napping, I hop in the shower, get dressed, and then bam I am bored. I am soooo sick of the TV, reading , and the computer. I would love to do something creative, yet affordable. I did a lot of scrapbooking and that was sooo fun, but buying all the supplies costs way too much money when you are not working, and raising a baby. So, my question is, what is a good hobby, that doesn't cost a lot to maintain, is easy to put down at the drop of a hat (or cry, lol), and can be done at home? Any ideas?

Answer 1

Try coin collecting. It doesn't have to cost you a lot. You can go to the bank and pick of a box of coin (whichever denomination you like) for exactly face value. A box of pennies is $25, a box of nickels is $100, a box of dimes is $250 and boxes of quarters or half dollars are $500. You don't have to buy the whole box. The bank can pull out whatever amount you like.

Once you get a box, you can go through and pull out the better coins (there are books to help with this or websites). You can pick up a coin album and try to fill all the holes (get one for each year) or just search for interesting ones.

The coins that you don't want can be returned to the bank and put straight back into your account (though it's often better to return the coins to a different bank (not just a different branch but a different bank) so that you don't search the same coins over and over). Everything you find will have been obtained at face value. You'd be surprised what people have found. Check out these links to see:
http://www.coincommunity.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1902&whichpage=1
http://www.coincommunity.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=11494&whichpage=1
http://www.foundinrolls.com/

Also check your change for interesting finds.

Some things to search for: wheat pennies, silver dimes, silver quarters, old coins, error coins, coins with the "S" mintmark - it could be a proof coin etc. There's always the chance that you could find a real treasure!

It's also helpful to buy a red book. It can help you price your coins and will answer many of the questions you may have.

OR IF THAT'S NOT FOR YOU...

http://www.spacefem.com/quizzes/hobby/

Answer 2

Speaking as a crafty mom with a very active 2 yr old son, don't start a craft that you won't be able to continue easily as your baby gets older. I wouldn't even consider beading or cross stitching or anything that requires dangerous sharps, expensive equipment, or small pieces that you'll have to protect from curious little hands.

Even my knitting can be a real challenge. I'm sticking to very basic stitches that I don't have to keep track of in any way. More boring, but at least I'm not constantly frustrated when a sudden interruption derails a complicated pattern, or one successful grab pulls a needle out of 100s of stitches of lace, and it's still nice to sit down and knit, regardless of the difficulty level.

Crochet sounds like a GREAT idea to me and even a preschooler can start mastering the skills so your child can learn from you in not too long. You can learn to play an instrument or take up drawing or painting (with non-toxic materials, like tempera.) You can make rag rugs, knotted blankets. Start a blog and practice your writing skills. :)

Honestly, if you have a 4 month old and you're feeling BORED rather than EXHAUSTED, 1) I'm amazed by your energy levels, and 2) maybe you should get a pet. It's like adding another child to the family but one that doesn't sleep as much. ;) If you consider your preferences and research breeds, you can satisfy urges for creativity if do training, grooming, do rescue or fostering, you can even get involved in showing, agility, lure coursing, herding, or any of a number of fun, time-and-energy consuming activities.

Answer 3

Hey, I have a 5 month old and WAY TOO MANY hobbies!

My favorite hobby, insofar as being kid-friendly, is crochet. Reasons:
1. You really can put it down anytime. You don't loose your place as easily as in knitting, and if your hook comes out of your work, it's easy to get back in.
2. You can quickly make hats, blankets, etc. for yourself and the baby.
3. You can make toys! (Do a Google search for Arigurumi.)
4. It's faster and easier to learn than knitting (in my opinion. I do both, but prefer crochet for just that reason.)
5. When you've got more time (i.e., the baby has gotten a bit bigger) and have practiced more, you can wow everyone with your lace-making skills. (Actually, there are certain types of lacey-effects that you can easily do with crochet. My first big project was my wedding shawl!)

I'd recommend the Stitch 'n' B*tch book ("The Happy Hooker"-- dirty name, awesome book). Start with yarn that is smooth and cheap (like Red Heart acrylic) and a big hook, and crochet away!

Answer 4

I'm working on a whole bunch of stuff at the moment. None of them get done quickly, that's for sure. The knitting has to wait until she's in bed for the night so I don't have to put it down in the middle of a row, but I'm quilting and cross stitching too, and they're easy to pick up and put down. I really recommend you go to play group though. Babies like it, to see new lights and new faces, and you'll enjoy the company. You'd be surprised the craft supplies you can find in thrift shops and on the bargain tables in craft shops.

Answer 5

your right, scrapbooking is a lot of money. here are my suggestions: hula [really fun, educational, and a good way to lose weight] or cooking cooking [the less you have in the house, the more creative you can be]

extra:
what my cuz did when she had a babies was she got he friends together [that had babies about the same time] they made a group and had the men take care of the babies on the weekend [like sunday, or saturday] and they went out together.

Answer 6

I think most hobbies will cost a little something. In addition to scrapbooking, you could make cards. His birthdays will come up, and you won't have to buy cards to send out as invitations.

Answer 7

Beaded jewelry is very popular, the finished product can be sold or used as gifts. Congratulations on becoming a Mother, children are wonderful, grandchildren are even better!
http://www.allthatglitterscrystalbeads.com

Answer 8

I would join a dance class or something*. They're so much fun and you can burn calories while having fun. If you join with a friend you're sure to have a blast. ~

Congrats on your child =]
Theyire soo cute when they're that age*

Good Luck ♥

Answer 9

Making quilt tops, look online it's easy, and a cool way to recycle. Also concider taking a class online.

Answer 10

You could try getting an origami kit. They aren't very expensive and if you find the right one it can last a while.

Or bored.com
I don't know how I get so entertained by it but I do.