I'm a part time WAHM/SAHM and my son is now 7 months old. In order to get stuff done around the house I would put on a youtube video (usually Baby Einstein) to keep him entertained while I complete a chore. I know this isn't recommended for his age, so I've been trying alternative means but nothing keeps him engaged for long! Help!!! What should I be doing in order to get stuff done but not resort to screen time?
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@Glitter: can you wear him in a wrap?
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@Mamaof2: I could.. but I imagine it would be really HOT!
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@Glitter: lol, it is really hot! I tried a few times and eventually gave up on that.
Could you wait until nap time and then power clean/cook? hahaha
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Do you have a play gym, like this:
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@.twist.: I try to speed rush during naps but he always wakes up crying at THE worst time, lol
@looch: we have a play gym, swing, Summer superseat and a big rug strewn with toys... each keeps him entertained alone for maybe 15 minutes max.
I was wondering if I should invest in something bigger - like a jumperoo or exersaucer, to keep him entertained for a little longer. Thoughts?
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@Glitter: Can you do a childcare swap with another WAH parent? That way, you could each get uninterrupted work done for 2 1/2 days a week... but there'd be no out-of-pocket cost.
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Play mat or pnp with toys!
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@Glitter: I know you said you didn't want to do screentime but starting at 6 months we did the signing times DVD - its about 30 mins and I put her in the exersaucer to watch it - she loved it and learned to sign!
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@Glitter:I would start independent play if you haven't already. Create a space in your home that is 100% baby proof, and start leaving him for small periods of time until he builds to being able to play alone for 30 minutes or so. LO has independent play time in his room for almost an hour every morning while I clean up breakfast dishes and get dressed, and very rarely does he get upset. The key is having a completely safe place so you don't feel nervous walking away. I wrote about both independent play and creating a childproof bedroom...I can find links for you if you are interested
ETA: LO is 21 months now, but we started this when he was very young (probably around 6 months?) We hit some bumpy patches where he didn't want to be alone (and I wouldn't leave him if it made him feel distressed), but for the most part he has always enjoyed his independent time. He sometimes fusses for about 30 seconds when I leave the room, but after that he plays just fine.
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Hmmm, how much time are you needing? We used a jumperoo, but I didn't want my son in there for long periods of time. I made my life a lot more difficult than it needed to be though, so don't follow my lead!
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@mrbee: Well I work on a project by project basis, so some weeks I may put in 20 hours of work, and some weeks none at all! I don't know anyone who would be willing to swap given my irregular schedule, but that's surely worth looking into!
@Mamaof2: interesting! I wouldn't feel half as bad if he were actually learning something with the screentime. I'll look into that! Thanks!
@Mrs. Lion: Yes, please send links! Maybe my error is that when he starts to fuss I don't give him 30 seconds (or sufficient time) to see if he will calm down and start to play independently. I'm now thinking it through and realising that the second he starts to fuss I jump right back in so he is always dependent on having me really closeby.
@looch: About 4 hours between 8am and 4pm (on some days, not every day) would be sufficient.
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@looch: how long were you comfortable with your son in the jumperoo? and what were your reasons for this length of time?
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@Glitter: I would use it for spurts of about 15-20 minutes, twice a day. My husband was worried that it would negatively impact the development of my son's legs and possibly delay his walking. I admittedly didn't research much and complied.
4 hours was two naps for my son, he wasn't the best night sleeper, so he really needed those naps and they were at least 2 hours in length...except for days when I really needed him to nap and he wouldn't, of course!
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@looch: 2 hour naps sounds glorious! But I'm not sure I would trade for a full night's sleep, lol. G naps for about 45 mins. 1 hr max. And he naps twice between 8am and 4pm.
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@Glitter: haha, I wouldn't trade a full nights sleep for naps either!
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@Glitter: This is the one about independent play http://www.hellobee.com/2013/11/15/independent-play-for-babies-and-big-kids-too/ and these are the ones about our nursery http://www.hellobee.com/2013/08/14/our-montessori-inspired-nursery-makeover/ and http://www.hellobee.com/2013/12/10/montesorri-nursery-update/
I would say start very very slowly. Maybe put him on the floor alone with some toys he likes for a few minutes, but don't sit right there with him. If he fusses, decide on an amount of time you are comfortable with. For me, it is about 5 minutes now that he is older, as long as it isn't escalating (for us it is really easy to tell his annoyed fuss vs. distressed crying and I decide how to respond accordingly). Maybe start by counting to 15 in your head when he fusses, and see what happens. Then, if he continues to fuss or his fussing escalates, when you go to him assure him that you are still there, reintroduce his toys, etc. Then try again when he is calm. Over time (don't worry if this doesn't happen immediately!) you should be able to get to where you can leave the room for a minute, and see how he responds when you are gone. Eventually the time will lengthen as he learns that 1. Mommy always comes back and 2. playing alone is fun too.
I hope that is helpful! Their enjoyment of independent playtime is definitely tied to personality, but even for the most social kiddos I think it is really important for them to be able to concentrate on something without being entertained by an adult (or the TV) and I think the earlier that you start the easier it will be as they get older.
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@Glitter: We had an exersaucer and that thing was magical for us around the age your LO is now. My daughter would play in it for up to half an hour at a time. I just dragged it all over the house and would plop her down next to me in the kitchen, laundry room, wherever.
Once she got a little older, I have baskets of kid friendly toys in every room. In the kitchen, I let her just go at the Tupperware drawer. She takes the pieces out, bangs them around, hits them with a wood spoon, whatever. She'll do that forever.
ETA: We had this one. I think I got a deal on it at Target. http://www.amazon.com/Evenflo-Exersaucer-Active-Learning-Friends/dp/B00AX3K6XU/ref=sr_1_20?ie=UTF8&qid=1417697516&sr=8-20&keywords=exersaucer
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I think it's a lot to expect him to self entertain for more than 15 mins. My advice is wear him, wait until nap/bed or hire a sitter. Sticking him in a jumper or exersaucer for longer then 15 mins isn't the best option and probably won't buy you any more time either.
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Is he cool playing on his own if you are nearby? Fiona's favorite things that keep her occupied on her own are the jumparoo (like looch we limit to 20 minutes at a time, no more than 2-3 times per day because it isn't supposed to be great for their hips to leave them in there for longer), her playmat (laying) and her playmat if we sit her in the bumbo next to it so she can bat at the toys from a different angle. She isn't really happy on her playmat more than 10 min if I walk away and try to do dishes or something, but if I sit on the floor next to her it keeps her happy for more than 20ish minutes.
I also second the baby wearing idea. Maybe try a ring sling? They are far less hot than a wrap (although I'm finding my woven wrap is much less hot than my stretchy wrap, an there are less hot carries you can do in it too)
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I second @Mrs. Lion's suggestion. I am the type if person who needs personal space and time to clean/take care if the household. I worked pretty hard to get to the point where my child is independent enough to allow me to get things done and she's still great at it at 2.5. Frankly, with another baby on the way, it's a huge relief.
That's not to say we never do screen time, but before she was 2 it was pretty limited. If you do end up having a designated baby play area, how about having some baby-friendly music for him?
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I think for work purposes I would have a childcare center that allows drop-ins. That way you could drop off your lo when you have to do work. For chores around the house, I would just do it during naptime. It just sounds unreasonable to expect a child under the age of 1 (even older than 1) to entertain themselves while you work for an extended period of time.
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One thing I've learned about this is that its going to be a slow gradual process. You have to teach him. He's used to constant stimulation right now and you've got to give him the time and support to learn how to play by himself. I agree that creating a safe place is key.
Also, I've found with my daughter getting her started with a toy helps. Set up all the little people on their play mat. Let him knock them over and explore them. Once he starts playing he may continue. But my daughter won't get them out on her own.
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