https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 21 May 2026 18:50:31 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sah-rut#post-2092379 Tue, 03 Mar 2015 09:09:32 +0000 PinkElephant 2092379@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't know how hard it is to get there from Astoria (we're new to the neighborhood and with a toddler and baby I don't leave it much!), but the Central Library at Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn has a (free) toddler concert with local children's performers every other Tuesday at 11 AM. It's very informal and you don't need to wait in line/have a ticket because it's in a big auditorium. There's one today, actually:</p> <p><a href="http://www.bklynlibrary.org/calendar/stomp-clap-sing-silly-jaz-central-library-dweck-cen-030315" rel="nofollow">http://www.bklynlibrary.org/calendar/stomp-clap-sing-silly-jaz-central-library-dweck-cen-030315</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sah-rut#post-2092229 Tue, 03 Mar 2015 01:36:20 +0000 Kemma 2092229@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do you have any churches in walking distance? A lot of churches run music or Playgroup sessions which are pretty low key but provide a good outlet for kids and a nice way to meet other families in the neighbourhood. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sah-rut#post-2092167 Mon, 02 Mar 2015 22:21:28 +0000 jedeve 2092167@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have you tried making play dough? My LO loves to stir anything. (Whether or not he eats it, haha)</p> <p>Pillow forts, masking tape roads for cars, prolonged bath time. </p> <p>And even though it's nasty out, going outside for some fresh air at least a few times a week can be good for both of you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sah-rut#post-2092014 Mon, 02 Mar 2015 19:34:12 +0000 QueensBee 2092014@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hotchildinthecity: Glad he loved it! That place is so cute. But yes, even one class a week can become pricey. I just sent you a pm with some info for a free playgroup that you may want to check out. I hope you are able to find some good activities! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sah-rut#post-2091579 Mon, 02 Mar 2015 14:29:24 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 2091579@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I totally relate! A couple ideas- I know you said he doesn't like crafting, but how about glue? My LO that didn't like drawing/ painting was a big fan of pouring glue and sticking shapes etc. Or if you have an empty egg carton, you can have him fill the spots- we usually use bouncy balls. Another easy one albeit messy is baking soda and vinegar.<br /> For activities in the city I like to check out Mommy Poppins. You can sort by just free activities. There isn't a ton going on lately but there's always something. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sah-rut#post-2091544 Mon, 02 Mar 2015 14:13:12 +0000 plantains 2091544@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hotchildinthecity: LIC Kids lets you drop in to a bunch of things. Also Queens Zoo and New York Hall of Sciences in Queens are great! There is also a meet up group in LIC, they get together about twice a week. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sah-rut#post-2091535 Mon, 02 Mar 2015 14:07:23 +0000 spaniellove 2091535@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hotchildinthecity: Oh also as a last minute idea, today is Dr. Seuss Day! There must be something online you guys could throw together! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sah-rut#post-2091336 Mon, 02 Mar 2015 12:32:55 +0000 hotchildinthecity 2091336@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@merriment: sensory city has soooo few open hours now! I'm really interested in going :/ </p> <p>Hubs took him to Queens Hall of Science and they loved it. I'm definitely planning a trip there when I know i can fit it in with his EI. </p> <p>@queensbee raising astoria is one of the things we do go to but I can't justify more than one class a week due to the cost. We went to music class last week and he loved it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sah-rut#post-2091296 Mon, 02 Mar 2015 12:22:43 +0000 QueensBee 2091296@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hotchildinthecity: I was in Astoria for my mat leave last year and I also found it challenging to find things to do in bad weather. Have you been to any of the classes at Raising Astoria off Ditmars? They do cost a bit of money but are reasonable compared to Manhattan. There's also an indoor pool that has family swim time. I forget the name of it but I'll let you know as soon as my friend texts me back with it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sah-rut#post-2091283 Mon, 02 Mar 2015 12:17:06 +0000 merriment 2091283@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hotchildinthecity: Nerds! I know Forest Hills, but not really Astoria. The last month that I was home on maternity leave, I went to a bunch of free trial classes (figuring I otherwise wouldn't have a chance). If you can borrow a car, you aren't too far from the Queens Zoo (they have an indoor aviary) and Hall of Science. Both of them are a schlep if you have to take the subway. Otherwise, I'm sure you know about Kids Playhouse. Sensory City OT also has some open play times, but the hours may not work for you. Winter can be so so brutal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sah-rut#post-2091228 Mon, 02 Mar 2015 11:57:10 +0000 hotchildinthecity 2091228@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@merriment: I'm in Astoria :)</p> <p>@sailgrl18: he is not a huge fan of being worn and I honestly think hes a little too tall because his legs seem really uncomfortable when I've worn him. </p> <p>I will definitely check out puppets burg, thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sah-rut#post-2091223 Mon, 02 Mar 2015 11:53:14 +0000 sailgrl18 2091223@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hotchildinthecity: We've been feeling the same way in the city with DS (we live in North Brooklyn). DS is 13 months and big hits so far have been Puppetsburg (which pricey but cheaper than a lot of the other mommy &amp; me classes and has classes in LIC), story time at the library, and sing a long at the Knitting Factory (only $5). Yesterday we took DS to FAO and he had the time of his life just exploring. Lastly, have you looked into baby wearing? I know there are a lot of toddler carriers out there which make subway travel easier. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sah-rut#post-2091214 Mon, 02 Mar 2015 11:49:44 +0000 merriment 2091214@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's so hard this time of year!! I just found this website which has a ton of ideas: funathomewithkids.com (many of which are edible, so great for little babes!)<br /> What Queens neighborhood are you in? I used to live in Queens and might have some ideas! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sah-rut#post-2091204 Mon, 02 Mar 2015 11:44:11 +0000 hotchildinthecity 2091204@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@edelweiss: i have some banana muffin mix...we could do that this afternoon. He doesn't eat them, which is the sad part, but we still could make them :). Part of my adoption leave "fantasy" was baking and eating cookies with my child :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sah-rut#post-2091200 Mon, 02 Mar 2015 11:41:43 +0000 edelweiss 2091200@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>how about easy baking/cooking activities, like pancakes or cookies from a mix? it can get messy, but definitely takes up some time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sah-rut#post-2091199 Mon, 02 Mar 2015 11:40:55 +0000 magnolia 2091199@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm on a parenting listserv and group on FB which has a lot of postings about activities and meet Ups. there is probably one for your neighborhood! I am also sooooo sick of this winter and am intimidated by slush and stairs to take my stroller on the subway. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sah-rut#post-2091098 Mon, 02 Mar 2015 10:59:11 +0000 spaniellove 2091098@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hotchildinthecity: If you look on Pinterest for sensory activities, those can be an alternative to crafts! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sah-rut#post-2091094 Mon, 02 Mar 2015 10:55:16 +0000 hotchildinthecity 2091094@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Trailmix: Nope, I'm in Queens now and definitely missing the Upper East Side. CMOM is great but it's like a two hour round trip for us, with a transfer each way.</p> <p>In my neighborhood now I have mommy and me yoga (only one time a week and now it's during EI), toddler playtime at the library, classes at Raising Astoria ($20/each) and two indoor play places. There are some classes in Long Island City, but they're mostly like 10-week classes, not drop ins. </p> <p>I belong to a meet up group here and have done some play dates as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sah-rut#post-2091078 Mon, 02 Mar 2015 10:47:29 +0000 Trailmix 2091078@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Are you still on the UES? I think there's Meet Up groups for playdates and stuff like that, where you could all go to one person's apartment. We live on the UWS and our go-tos are: CMOM, Museum of Natural History, Book Culture, Elliot's Gymnastics, ABCdoreme Music and Music for Aardvarks. All reasonably priced or free! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sah-rut#post-2090998 Mon, 02 Mar 2015 10:14:24 +0000 buffalove 2090998@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My toddler is about the same age and he couldn't be less interested in coloring, activity pages, etc.</p> <p>things that do keep him happy on cold days indoors:<br /> - bringing a tub of snow in the house and giving him big spoons and bowls to play with it<br /> - baking choc chip cookies from scratch - we use the 1/4 cup measuring cup to scoop flour, sugar, etc. It makes a mess, but I dont really care.<br /> - playing with water in the kitchen sink. stand him on a chair, give him some cups, and he'll entertain himself for a long time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sah-rut#post-2090875 Mon, 02 Mar 2015 09:25:58 +0000 hotchildinthecity 2090875@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Rockies11: @Tidybee: thanks ladies! I never thought I'd be actually wishing to go back to work! I've met a few other mom friends/play date buddies but all they want to talk about is diapers and naps! I went out with my single friends on Friday and I felt like I literally had nothing to say :(. I'm in a serious mommy bubble. One of my friends even introduced me as "j's mom" and i noticeably cringed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sah-rut#post-2090855 Mon, 02 Mar 2015 09:17:22 +0000 Tidybee 2090855@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also just sympathy from me. This time of year is really tough to be a SAHM. We had so much fun when we could be outside and also just carrying less stuff (hats, coats, gloves) around in a bag on top of a toddler. DD is getting more screentime these days but I know it changes once it's warm out. It also takes time to meet quality friends that you want to hang with and want your kid to be around on a normal basis. For me, it took about 6 months of being a SAHM (in a new area) to find my "group". </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sah-rut#post-2090829 Mon, 02 Mar 2015 09:08:38 +0000 Rockies11 2090829@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't really have great advice, just sympathy! my mat leave was like that, and now I am heading into another mat leave and I am dreading this problem again. My strategy to prepare has been to research and list a whole bunch of different classes, activities, errands, household projects, people to play with, etc. and then I will come up with what we're going to do each day based on that. Hopefully it will work! But yeah, everything's expensive, and gets really old quickly, and is a huge pain to actually get to, lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sah-rut#post-2090815 Mon, 02 Mar 2015 09:02:37 +0000 hotchildinthecity 2090815@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Modern Daisy: friday at 11 is our toddler time at the library around here. So we've definitely been doing that when the weather is permissible because it's like a mile walk. We've done CMOM definitely and Brooklyn Children's Museum is on my list. I hate to complain....it's just tough to do the subway transfers and stuff by myself with the stroller and everything. I will have to check on the Barnes and Noble (I haven't seen one in a while) and unfortunately we don't have a car.</p> <p>@LaughLines: thats a good idea. It can get tough to get my LO interested in arts and crafts type stuff but I should keep trying.</p> <p>@anagram: we have library group friday at 11. I'll admit I'm so bored of the songs i kinda dread going but LO likes it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sah-rut#post-2090776 Mon, 02 Mar 2015 08:42:19 +0000 Anagram 2090776@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hotchildinthecity: There's a place near us that does puppet shows for children--do you have anything like that nearby? We took our LO on a weekend and she loved it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sah-rut#post-2090770 Mon, 02 Mar 2015 08:40:31 +0000 LaughLines 2090770@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>maybe try for more organized at home activities? try pinterest for inspiration of things to do... like printable activity sheets, theme days (a la @mrstrain: ), music stuff, art stuff, etc. I think it takes a little bit of pre-planning to have good stuff to do rather than just coming up with things on the spot. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sah-rut#post-2090769 Mon, 02 Mar 2015 08:40:15 +0000 Modern Daisy 2090769@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Story time at libraries? Childrens museum of manhattan? Barnes and noble kids section? Our nanny also made friends with moms of kids who lived in a high rise with an indoor playroom. Sometimes bundling up to just walk around the block once can hit the "reset" button.</p> <p>I hear you on the weather. DS has been such a handful from cabin fever that on weekends we load him into the car and just drive. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sah-rut#post-2090762 Mon, 02 Mar 2015 08:36:55 +0000 looch 2090762@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are also majorly bored, I cringe at having to go to any indoor play space on the weekends because they are just soooo crowded it isn't fun. They're just as bad during the week, though, so I don't know what a better solution would be! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sah-rut#post-2090750 Mon, 02 Mar 2015 08:28:19 +0000 Bubbles 2090750@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son is only 14 months, but we do colouring, stickers, play doh, he likes helping me cook in the kitchen (although is obviously not much actual help!), lots of reading, dancing... sometimes I pile up all the sofa cushions and he uses them as a climbing frame... and so on! </p> <p>I hear you on the wet playgrounds, this is my difficulty at the minute as really my DS is just desperate to go free range in any open space. I do usually try and push through the difficult journey/logistics side of things, as for us it's usually well worth it to get both of us out of the house! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/sah-rut#post-2090711 Mon, 02 Mar 2015 08:02:32 +0000 hotchildinthecity 2090711@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm on my last month of adoption leave with my 27 month old and he starts easing into daycare next week. I absolutely love spending time with my son during this time but I definitely visualized four months of play dates and mommy and me activities. But the mommy and me stuff is less frequent than I expected and EXPENSIVE. The weather is so shitty here and even if it gets above freezing, all the playgrounds are wet and gross. I had all these plans to go to all the museums and activities in Manhattan but it's hard to take an hour long trip on the subway with a two year old by myself. And just as another complication, we have early intervention appointments 1-4 times every day, which limits our schedule. </p> <p>What can I do to make the most out of this last few weeks home? Today we only have early intervention from 2-3 but we're both tired of all the indoor playgrounds, there are no classes today (music/yoga/etc) and i was actually jealous when my husband left for work this morning :( </p>