Wednesday, March 16, 2011

What to do...

Anna's at that in between age right now.

The age where I really don't know what to do with her to keep her happy and engaged and learning. The age where I feel like I might go a bit stir crazy by the end of the day.

She doesn't just sit around anymore. She's not at the stage where you can just put her on the floor with a few toys and it's all so new and exciting, so she'll entertain herself for hours.

But she's also not old enough to do crafts or paint or play at the park. So I'm kind of at a loss as to what I can do with her these days.

We go to Kindermusik once a week (but it is EXPENSIVE! Like, almost prohibitively expensive). She's going to start swimming lessons with Daddy soon. I try to get out to playgroups or the early years centres so she'll be around other babies. But most of the time, she walks around the house, playing with toys, getting into cupboards... that sort of thing.

I'm starting to think she needs more engaging things to do. She needs to learn things, doesn't she?

At the same time, I don't want to do things by myself all the time. (Like, go for walks with her). I find it gets boring. I need a little interaction so I don't start outwardly expressing my inner monologue wherever I go.

Mind you, right now - I'd just settle for something other than hanging around the house.

So. What do you/did you do with your kids when they were this age? How did you keep them - and yourself - happy?

Help!

4 comments:

  1. No real advice here I'm afraid, but summer is coming and that opens up tons of new things to do. Just letting her walk around the backyard, put on a sprinkler or some fill some buckets with water, the sandbox - all of these things will keep her busy. She might be a bit young for the park, but she can still go down the little slides and try the swings. You might meet lots of other moms there too for some conversation.

    1-2.5 or so is a very tough age as they are constantly into everything and aren't able to sit still for long or play without you standing over them making sure they don't put anything in their mouths or fall off the coffee table etc. etc.. It's a constant battle to keep them safe and entertained, and limiting the amount of times you have to leap up to steer them in another direction.

    As for the adult interation, I think you'll find in the nicer weather that you'll meet more people while your out and about. I struggled with feeling isolated too, especially on my second mat leave. It was even worse when I was cooped up in the house with the kids during the winter. Hello cabinfever!

    I hope someone else on here can give you some good advice! I never did figure out how not to feel so lonely.

    Kim

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  2. Oh, and you can bet she is learning lots of things just getting out of the house with you. I've never been a "flashcard mom", you know the type that has Baby Einstein on and is into naming every single thing on a walk. (Not that there's anything wrong with that of course, it's just not me). I think kids learn lots of things just experiencing different situations. Don't stress out about that stuff at her age. She's picking up more than you realize!

    Kim

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  3. I know I am not home with K like you are but I still feel like that on the weekends sometimes! I am a big fan of the indoor playground (as you know). They are really cheap and pretty safe...and I think K learns a lot just by running around and interacting with other little ones. There are quite a few classes through the City of Mississauga parks and rec that are affordable too.

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  4. Thanks ladies!! You guys always make me feel better!

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