SAH moms of "older" infants...what do you do all day?

DD is 9 months old. I work sort of part time but I am almost always home with DD. I am at a loss as to what I should do with her all day.

She has tons of toys and books so she does ALOT of free play. I will read her a book here and there throughout the day, blow bubbles once in awhile, we go to the park for awhile on nice days but all she can do is swing (she HATES the slide) so we don't go for very long. I put music on so she can do her little dancing for a few minutes.

I feel like i'm a lazy mom because I don't have more interactive play lined up. The days are just so long and I run out of steam less then halfway through the day. I get bored of playing with the same toys over and over and pointing out dogs & cows in her books. I feel like when I buy new toys- I actually am buying them for myself

She will only play in the pack & play or jumperoo & things like that for about 10 minutes..

I worked in daycare for 3 years before my current job but I was the teacher for 18-24 month olds who could do so much more. I had a loose schedule for them but DD is not interested in anything for too long.

Sorry this is long winded, but I need ideas or motivation or SOMETHING to be a better mom. I feel like a pretty lousy one.

ETA: she is more interested in trying to get to the dogs water dish than any of her toys.

Message edited 5/26/2010 8:52:48 PM.

Re: SAH moms of "older" infants...what do you do all day?

you are not a lousy mom.

9 months is a tough age. most kids aren't walking, but are mobile, but not mobile enough, kwim?

is there a library nearby? my DD loves the library. what about a mommy and me type of class?

Re: SAH moms of "older" infants...what do you do all day?

Re: SAH moms of "older" infants...what do you do all day?

I don't really feel like you need structured play at this age. We go out every day--I feel like DS learns so much from going to the store, me pointing out things, going for long walks...We spend hours in the backyard looking at birds or watching cars while sitting on the front lawn.

ETA: I'm a F/T working mom, but work from home 2 days a week, so am home with DS most of the week.

Message edited 5/26/2010 8:57:38 PM.

Re: SAH moms of "older" infants...what do you do all day?

I didn't mean to imply that she should be walking, so please don't take it that way.

DD walked at 13 months.

What about a music class?

Re: SAH moms of "older" infants...what do you do all day?

I'm with you. Ryleigh is 17 months, so she's a little easier to do stuff with. Have you checked out meetup.com? It's a great way to find groups in the area that are all people with common interests. Here in Charlotte, there's a group called the South Charlotte Playgroup. I signed up--there's almost 600 members and they have about 10 different events planned every single day.

Sometimes it helps to meet new people that have kids the same age as yours--this way you can get your DD together with babies who are the same age, she'll get some interaction with other kids/people, and you'll get to have some down time and time to talk to other moms, too!

Re: SAH moms of "older" infants...what do you do all day?

Re: SAH moms of "older" infants...what do you do all day?

DS is 8 1/2 mo. I am out alot with the kids because I have an older DS so he has nursery school and playdates often but if we are home I rotate him between the jumperoo, exersaucer and PNP which I put toys in. I also bring him up to his bedroom where I have a lot of his toys and let him roam around in there.

Re: SAH moms of "older" infants...what do you do all day?

Posted by JennyPenny

Posted by saraH

I didn't mean to imply that she should be walking, so please don't take it that way.

DD walked at 13 months.

What about a music class?

Oh no- I didn't take it that way at all!

Re: SAH moms of "older" infants...what do you do all day?

I try to get out as much as possible. DS freaks if we are in the house too long! I go to the beach and park. I try to go to as many GTG's as possible through meetup or LIF. I make playdates with other mommy friends. When he is at home I take him from room to room. I keep different toys in each room so that at least it's a change of environment for him. Sometimes I feel at a loss too

Re: SAH moms of "older" infants...what do you do all day?

You are not a lousy mom! It sounds like you are doing a great job. DS is 10 months and we've been doing lots of "playdates" lately. It is really nice for me to be around other moms and he's getting used to interacting with other babies and playing with different toys than we have at home. I go to the library and a mommy and me class. We spend a lot of time outside in the yard or taking walks. He likes running errands with me lately and seeing new people and places.

Indoors, he we read lots of books. He loves taking them off of the book shelf and putting them back on. As far as toys, he likes his Laugh and Learn playhouse, his musical table and other standing toys. He very into songs and dancing. I play with him all day, but don't really do any kind of structured activities. Their attention is so short at this age. My DS hates the pack and play and excersaucer now to. He cries if he even thinks I am walking towards it! I think now they they are mobile, the want the freedom to move.

Message edited 5/26/2010 9:23:41 PM.

Re: SAH moms of "older" infants...what do you do all day?

I'm home part of the time with DD

I do some GTG's with a mom's group I met here (we do stroller walks and play groups)

Sometimes the library

If we're at home and its not super hot, we go on a walk, otherwise she plays with her toys, like a free play...I read to her sometimes or just try to talk to her...or sing