I would recommend having more kids 😆 Once my second one was 6 months old, they've pretty much played with / entertained each other much to my delight.
I'm totally exhausted reading some of the recommendations here. Maybe I'm a mean mom but I am not my kids' entertainment director. They have plenty of indoor and outdoor activities to choose from and I think we do kids a disservice by planning out so many things for them. It's good for them to problem solve with imagination and ingenuity. (Of course, this is harder for a very little one but hopefully you get my drift.)
My kids are school age down to infant and if the older ones ever come up to me "bored", I have many cleaning jobs and workbook activities for them and inevitably they suddenly become inspired for some other activity that they plan and orchestrate.
Seriously. My kids say they are bored and I give them a job. They like when I give them jobs actually, they’re weird. I also tell them they have sisters so we don’t have to drag them all over. We belong to the Y and go at least once a weekend so dh and I can workout. We go to church and they attend Sunday school. We rarely do play dates on the weekend, bc it’s family time. We skype with dhs parents every weekend and usually run a few errands. They nap or have quiet time and dh I do house projects or sleep.
We’ve been taking them skiing the last few weekends. Since they are 5 and 3 lift tix are free but it is a drive (where they are annoying) Today it was cold (high of 17 with a wind chill of 0) but bundled up and with lots of breaks they did ok.
I honestly have a really hard time being stuck in the house with them all day on weekends, they are at really annoying ages now where they fight constantly in the house, getting out helps a lot.
Oh yes the ymca is also great. If we don’t have any plans I try to bring them both days. Either to go swimming, or put them in the kids room so I can work out, or they have open gymnastics as well that lets them run around for an hour and get energy out. Sometimes I can spend much of a day there- swim lesson, then kids room while we workout then into open gymnastics. They love it there
Look for a weekend for gymnastics class in the morning that your H could handle. We do this and it’s about 1.5 hours of free time for the parent not taking DD. She is younger than your DD so definitely an age appropriate activity you could start.
Post by fancynewbeesly on Feb 3, 2018 20:07:07 GMT -5
Right now my daughter is severely immune compromised so we are always stuck at home.
DH works on Saturday so usually it is me and her alone. We do have grandparents visit. A lot of crafts, sensory activities (play doh, floof, kinetic sand, orbeez), even if is cold out we try to play outside for 10-20 minutes-just bundled up). We do a lot of baths because she will play for 45-60 minutes. Cooking/baking.
Post by cricketwife on Feb 3, 2018 20:15:00 GMT -5
Just coming in to say this winter sucks. We’ve done the sat morning classes, then we did the “ have another kid” suggestion and can’t afford the classes any more 😩 . Our weekends have been filled up with more tv than i can count. It started because somebody was always sick and we couldn’t do what we had planned. Now, we have had a two-week stretch of nobody being sick and I don’t want to be at a bouncy house, kids museum, chick fil a playground, etc. , getting sick again. But yes to tag teaming. It makes it more bearable.
Post by sporklemotion on Feb 3, 2018 20:23:15 GMT -5
Have you tried libraries in neighboring towns? Not sure where in MA you are, but we’re Metrowest and the different towns have different toys and stuff, so that kills time and adds variety. We do dance class on Saturday mornings. We do the indoor play spaces, but tend to go later in the day when it’s less crowded.
Saturday mornings I usually do my long run.... In the summer I try and leave before DS wakes up, but the last couple of weeks I've been hanging out till it warms up a bit. DS gets bored if he is inside too long so DH will find some activity to do. The mall has a nice play area, so that is the default right now. I usually get home just before nap time. While DS naps I will stretch, eat lunch, and shower. DH works out in the afternoon and we go grocery shopping. If it is warm enough we will all go for a walk and stop at the playground.
Sundays we switch and DH will do his long run in the morning while I hang out with DS. The stores in the mall don't open till 11, so we usually have the play area to ourselves.
DS really likes to help with things and loves Aldi where he can put groceries on the belt or load the bags. Even if we are just at home I find ways to keep him busy such as, having him get the clothes out of the washing machine while I fold.
My daughter is almost 3 and always wants me or my husband to play with her, though she's getting better at playing independently.
Some things I've done for her lately that have occupied her a decent amount of time and given me a break are sensory bins and tuff trays (Google and Pinterest have tons of ideas for these). Pics of what we've done for reference.
A large empty cardboard box keeps her busy (playing in it, coloring on it, etc).
She likes to help me do laundry (puts clothes into the washer, into the dryer, and hands them to me to fold). She helps me do dishes then I make soapy water in the sink when we're done and give her cups, a bottle brush and a few plastic animals to play with while I do something else.
Post by steamboat185 on Feb 3, 2018 22:15:42 GMT -5
We go skiing, today was nicer so we went to the zoo and REI in the afternoon. We visit the nature and science museum at least once a month, the inside area of the botanical gardens, the butterfly pavilion (we can get free tickets from the library, we also walk around Ikea. The older kid is big enough to go to the kids club and loves it and the little one enjoys looking around.
At two, I started occasionally insisting DD play alone. Were there tears? Sometimes but she got over it.
Things she was willing to do alone: - Sink car wash (I put water and bubbles in the kitchen sink, she played in it with toy cars). - Dance - Play with the Fisher Price Crawl Around Car - Bang on a drum - Little Kid Trampoline - Those M & D cardboard stacking boxes.
I swear by train tables. Since DS was 10 months old, he could literally spend more than an hour playing by himself at the train table. It's magical!
This winter sucks. Our area is one of the hardest hit by flu, and we have a newborn. We are basically homebound, and I am losing my mind. Fortunately DS entertains himself easily. I'm the stir crazy one!
I think i'm going to sign him up for swim lessons to get me out of the house and to get him to burn some energy.
At two, I started occasionally insisting DD play alone. Were there tears? Sometimes but she got over it.
Yup this.
We have a pretty set routine for when DS knows it's time to play alone for awhile. DH and I also tag team a lot on weekends. I bundle him up and go outside even when it's cold, but I realize NoVA is mild compared to a lot of areas. I haaaate play places, especially on weekends, so we don't usually do those.
noodleoo, I understand. My DS is a few months shy of 2 years old and will only play on his own for so long. In my area it rains a lot this time of year so we're stuck inside because we don't want to get drenched more than because it's freezing. There are only so many times I'm willing to deal with soaked DS throwing tantrums in the pouring rain and having to carry him home. Mall play areas are super crowed on the weekends and we avoid them like the plague. We usually just take him on errands with us. Sunday School fills Sunday morning thankfully. We don't usually do play dates with friends on weekends. I wish the community center's indoor park was open on weekends.
We do swim lessons on Sunday late afternoon which is great because at that point, we are all stir crazy.
We will often go to the library because DS loves it, but we've been avoiding lately due to flu season. We have not gone anywhere this weekend other than to pick up take out last night.
I keep a few toys hidden away and rotate in on long days. We have a box of beans, macaroni, and buttons which I pull out on special occasions. He's been playing with it for the past 2 days since this weekend's weather is crappy. Washing dishes, watercolors with big sheets of paper, Play Doh, his own boombox with CDs.
Even a few minutes outside helps. We will go out in the bitter cold for a few minutes of fresh air. He also likes to play in the garage with his empty water/sand table and toys.
Post by sillygoosegirl on Feb 4, 2018 10:57:23 GMT -5
After a 2 year break from babywearing, my 3-year-old is interested in being worn again. Having her wrapped on my back makes it easier to keep her warm if we go on a hike, since we are sharing body heat, and I actually can get a little exercise for once. It came as a big surprise to me for her to be interested again, but she has wanted to be babied a lot lately, and this is one way I've actually enjoyed doing that. (She also wants to nurse again, wear diapers again, and have us spoonfeed her again, all of which I'm much much less patient with.)
At two, I started occasionally insisting DD play alone. Were there tears? Sometimes but she got over it.
Things she was willing to do alone: - Sink car wash (I put water and bubbles in the kitchen sink, she played in it with toy cars). - Dance - Play with the Fisher Price Crawl Around Car - Bang on a drum - Little Kid Trampoline - Those M & D cardboard stacking boxes.
How exactly do you enforce playing alone? Dd is basically attached to my hip. We have an open kitchen/living room so even if I tell her to go play with her toys, she just comes right back and holds onto my legs or puts her toys right under my feet in the kitchen. It is so annoying. If I set her up with Play Doh she will play a little but then she says “it is too hard” and wants me to sit with her and make balls for her. Same with paint, trains, blocks, etc. it is frustrating to set up an activity and then she won’t even try to play with it herself. We got magnatiles for Xmas and that worked for about a week and now she’s bored with them too and wants me to sit and help her build stuff.
I feel like she plays alone better for H than for me. As soon as she sees me, she wants me right next to her. She’s always been a mama’s girl. Maybe she will grow out of it?
noodleoo the keys to my son (25m) playing alone are to make sure his tank is full by doing something together and then setting up an activity for him. Today he washed plastic animals and cars for over an hour while I worked in the kitchen.
At two, I started occasionally insisting DD play alone. Were there tears? Sometimes but she got over it.
Things she was willing to do alone: - Sink car wash (I put water and bubbles in the kitchen sink, she played in it with toy cars). - Dance - Play with the Fisher Price Crawl Around Car - Bang on a drum - Little Kid Trampoline - Those M & D cardboard stacking boxes.
How exactly do you enforce playing alone? Dd is basically attached to my hip. We have an open kitchen/living room so even if I tell her to go play with her toys, she just comes right back and holds onto my legs or puts her toys right under my feet in the kitchen. It is so annoying. If I set her up with Play Doh she will play a little but then she says “it is too hard” and wants me to sit with her and make balls for her. Same with paint, trains, blocks, etc. it is frustrating to set up an activity and then she won’t even try to play with it herself. We got magnatiles for Xmas and that worked for about a week and now she’s bored with them too and wants me to sit and help her build stuff.
I feel like she plays alone better for H than for me. As soon as she sees me, she wants me right next to her. She’s always been a mama’s girl. Maybe she will grow out of it?
Ds1 was like this too despite all of my efforts. It seemed to get better when he turned 4. He started playing alone and entertaining himself much much more.
Meanwhile ds2 is 2 and has been happily drawing with paint pens for almost 30 min by himself while I made oatmeal and ate it etc. Different personalities.
At two, I started occasionally insisting DD play alone. Were there tears? Sometimes but she got over it.
Things she was willing to do alone: - Sink car wash (I put water and bubbles in the kitchen sink, she played in it with toy cars). - Dance - Play with the Fisher Price Crawl Around Car - Bang on a drum - Little Kid Trampoline - Those M & D cardboard stacking boxes.
How exactly do you enforce playing alone? Dd is basically attached to my hip. We have an open kitchen/living room so even if I tell her to go play with her toys, she just comes right back and holds onto my legs or puts her toys right under my feet in the kitchen. It is so annoying. If I set her up with Play Doh she will play a little but then she says “it is too hard” and wants me to sit with her and make balls for her. Same with paint, trains, blocks, etc. it is frustrating to set up an activity and then she won’t even try to play with it herself. We got magnatiles for Xmas and that worked for about a week and now she’s bored with them too and wants me to sit and help her build stuff.
I feel like she plays alone better for H than for me. As soon as she sees me, she wants me right next to her. She’s always been a mama’s girl. Maybe she will grow out of it?
If she can still be contained by baby gates, put one up between, say, the kitchen and the living room. Appropriate placement will depend on the layout of your home, of course. Ideally there would be line of sight to you, but a gate or something so she has to stay in the approved play space and not under your feet. If gates don't work anymore, it's harder, but try sitting and watching her play, but refuse to actively participate. You won't have to watch all the time forever, but it helps them get used to playing alone without feeling abandoned/lonely. It's also actually kind of fun after a while, because you get to see what your child comes up with on her own, far more interesting than playing together. You can gradually move up to removing yourself from the room after she is engaged in something alone. I haven't read it in a while, but as I recall, the Janet Lansbury post linked above has many helpful tips. It's a process though, definitely not something that just happens instantaneously... just to have realistic expectations.
Ds1 started getting a lot easier around 4. Before that going out with him was almost easier as it was new and exciting and and easier for me to be somewhere exploring with him vs hanging at home entertaining him. He doesn’t play by himself well. That’s changed around 4. He started self entertaining better and was more into playing with his toys and imaginative play. Now at 6 he is way easier. Ds2 is only 1.5 so he’s in the impossible stage and the weekend is spent keeping him alive.....like when he tries to jump off of the couch or freefall out of the bathtub etc. it’s exhausting but it’s easier to see that this is just a stage and it gets better. He will play alone and self entertain so I’m hoping it’s easier with him before 4.
Basically I’m just commiserating. It’s hard, it’s just for a season, and you can do it.
Some activities that were better than others at holding his attention- playdoh, magic sand, water table with bowls etc, and letting him play with his trucks in the dirt and rocks outside. He liked cooking with me too.
She's a little young, but playdates have been our go-to this winter. DD is 4.5 and 7.5 so our weekends really consist of various playdates with all types of friends. It's win-win. We alternate so sometimes they come over and sometimes we send them over their friend's house.
The winter is really hard so I totally sympathize. Just another month or so and we should get some warmer days.
Post by CheeringCharm on Feb 5, 2018 8:49:24 GMT -5
Activities
This is our Saturday morning:
8:30 - baseball practice for DS2 9:00 - ballet for DD 11:30 - soccer for DS1 1:30 - tennis for both boys
The boys have been begging me to add rock climbing class to this list when soccer is over.
Then invariably at least one of the kids has a play date or a birthday party they need to be driven to in the afternoon or they have someone coming over.
Weekends can be BRUTAL. Even if we fill the time it just feels nonstop, like we don't get a break (esp if DD, 15 mos, naps in the car and not at home).
At two, I started occasionally insisting DD play alone. Were there tears? Sometimes but she got over it.
Things she was willing to do alone: - Sink car wash (I put water and bubbles in the kitchen sink, she played in it with toy cars). - Dance - Play with the Fisher Price Crawl Around Car - Bang on a drum - Little Kid Trampoline - Those M & D cardboard stacking boxes.
How exactly do you enforce playing alone? Dd is basically attached to my hip. We have an open kitchen/living room so even if I tell her to go play with her toys, she just comes right back and holds onto my legs or puts her toys right under my feet in the kitchen. It is so annoying. If I set her up with Play Doh she will play a little but then she says “it is too hard” and wants me to sit with her and make balls for her. Same with paint, trains, blocks, etc. it is frustrating to set up an activity and then she won’t even try to play with it herself. We got magnatiles for Xmas and that worked for about a week and now she’s bored with them too and wants me to sit and help her build stuff.
I feel like she plays alone better for H than for me. As soon as she sees me, she wants me right next to her. She’s always been a mama’s girl. Maybe she will grow out of it?
It’s hard I know. But you can say no and you should. Just because she wants you right next to her, doesn’t mean you have to be. The fact that she’s more independent around your husband proves she’s capable of it.
When you set up an activity, maybe try a timer? You have to do this alone for 3 minutes so mommy can relax. Then we’ll do this puzzle together. Gradually extend the time. If she co es to you early, walk her back.
We really lucked out with our girls. They play very well together, so we only jump in to play when requested which is rare. I’m sure it will be a different story with our third.
At two, I started occasionally insisting DD play alone. Were there tears? Sometimes but she got over it.
Things she was willing to do alone: - Sink car wash (I put water and bubbles in the kitchen sink, she played in it with toy cars). - Dance - Play with the Fisher Price Crawl Around Car - Bang on a drum - Little Kid Trampoline - Those M & D cardboard stacking boxes.
How exactly do you enforce playing alone? Dd is basically attached to my hip. We have an open kitchen/living room so even if I tell her to go play with her toys, she just comes right back and holds onto my legs or puts her toys right under my feet in the kitchen. It is so annoying. If I set her up with Play Doh she will play a little but then she says “it is too hard” and wants me to sit with her and make balls for her. Same with paint, trains, blocks, etc. it is frustrating to set up an activity and then she won’t even try to play with it herself. We got magnatiles for Xmas and that worked for about a week and now she’s bored with them too and wants me to sit and help her build stuff.
I feel like she plays alone better for H than for me. As soon as she sees me, she wants me right next to her. She’s always been a mama’s girl. Maybe she will grow out of it?
Um, "DS1, go play with your cars by yourself. I don't want to play right now." Then ignore.
I'm probably mean. I can only handle so much playing with him and generally avoid it, if I'm being honest.
The only regular activity we do on weekends is picking out new books at the library. There's a play area there, so he gets a chance to run around and the change of scenery is nice.
I feel you on just wanting to be home and recharge though. How is she in the bath? DS1 will play in the tub for a long time and it gives me an opportunity to read or screw around on my phone while I sit on the floor next to the tub. We've also instituted "rest time." He doesn't have to nap, but he does have to stay in his room for at least an hour. He usually ends up falling asleep, but at least if he doesn't sleep, I still get some time away from him.
I used the timer for this, but it wouldn't have worked without a gate to keep him away from me. I would tell him that I was setting the timer and he would have to play by himself. Then when he would keep asking me questions I'd say, "That's the last one. I'm not going to answer you anymore until the timer goes off." Some of them are just more social I think and would rather be talking to you at all times. LOL My son still says hello to me every time he sees me and when I'm tidying the house or rushing to get ready for something that might be 10 times in 5 minutes!