SAHM's of toddlers...

What do you do all day when you cant go out???

I have been waiting until the sun goes down to take Megan for a walk or a ride in her cart due to the heat.

But during the day, I feel like I am losing my mind. She is bored with her toys and I cannot have the tv on all day long for her. She doesnt sit for very long and I cant get anything else done because she wants me to interact with her every waking minute.

When you're stuck in, what do you do all day?? Just let them run around? Play with them every waking moment? I pray she naps for at least an hour just so I can take a shower and get some down time..

Honestly, I think its easier being home with an infant than this age. Please share what you do throughout the day if you are stuck inside! TIA!

Re: SAHM's of toddlers...

Today I filled up a few pots of water, threw some water toys in them, put beach towels down on the kitchen floor and we went to town! They loved splashing, etc. I gave them wooden spoons too and we made "soup" as well!! That killed an hour before Abby's naptime.

We also frequently put on music and dance...in the a/c of course! Katherine loves "tea party" type games too.

We're actually headed to Macy's after lunch to get out for a bit.

Re: SAHM's of toddlers...

Honestly, I never stay in, unless it's pouring rain. Even in this sun and heat, I lather them up in sunscreen, put on a hat, and go out. Right now they are playing the backyard as I sit at the table under the umbrella. I would go bananas if we stayed in! They have ice water in their cups and the kiddie pool and water table going! For lunch, we do a picnic in the yard on a big blanket.

Why not take her to the library or mall where there is AC and she'll have something to do?

Message edited 6/10/2008 12:43:05 PM.

Re: SAHM's of toddlers...

DS does nap for 2 hours a day, so that definitely helps. (he is 2 yrs 3 months) I seriously lose my mind when I have to literally stay in the house all day long. His bedtime comes and I just want a glass of wine, lol. Unless DS is sick, I find "indoor" places to go to avoid being trapped in the house on bad weather days.

Things I like to do when you can't do much outside:

- Bring him to Gymboree for either a makeup class (we always seem to have a makeup owed to us, lol!) or open playgym time

- Do errands in air conditioned places like Target

- Go to the mall with him, stop at Starbucks... I get a coffee ("mommy juice", he calls it) and we share a piece of pound cake or a cookie, sitting together at a little cafe table. Please don't flame me if you don't like the cookie/cake idea, it's just an occasional treat!

If we really really do have to stay in the house all day, I try to either pick out a couple toys that haven't been played with lately and put them out in plain sight to give DS something "new" to do. Or I like to get out crayons, paints, construction paper for some messy art project. Or make homemade play dough, I got the recipe on this board actually. Best part of that is DC can "help" you make it, pouring the ingredients in the bowl.

Re: SAHM's of toddlers...

Whenever i'm out I pick up some arts & crafts stuff and throw it in a box, on days like these or rainy days, I pull something out for us to do.

Re: SAHM's of toddlers...

yesterday and today, we went on our AM walk...then he stopped at the playground and ran around.

We went to an arts and crafts museum at 10.

came home, ate, now he is sleeping.

Last night we had storms, that kept us in...but tonight at 5, we will bike to the pool at the Y.

I took him to a kid's museum on sunday afternoon after we had a pool morning.

saturday night we were at the park from 5-7:30.

I loiter around barnes and nobles too.

Re: SAHM's of toddlers...

Re: SAHM's of toddlers...

I try not to stay in. I try and get out. Yesterday DS had a Dr. appt and from there we went to my parents and went swimming.
I babysit until 3 (They are both napping now), so after 3 I am free and that's the time I have to run my errands.
Today will be Grocery shopping and CVS.
Tomorrow: The mall (Father's Day Gifts)
I also have to run to BRU and Target one of these days this week.
Can you set up a kiddie pool.
Im going to try and get one ASAP for Bryan. He LOVES the pool.

If I don't do our AM walk (like yesterday and today) I read to them, take out toys Bryan hasn't seen in a while and I even blow bubbles. They love it.

Re: SAHM's of toddlers...

Well that's my life everyday for the last 2 years with no car during the week at all

We play games, hide and seek, we play tea party, color, play with stickers, read books, she helps me cook, they only watch tv in the am. I chase them around the house.
We go out for walks, even if its just around the block. I dont' have a yard they can play in, so sometimes when it's warm i fill up the bathtub, and let them splash around in their bathing suits.
I play with the girls all day long really, and i love it.

If i have to clean, my 2 year old helps me, she's pretty good with the swiffer or a duster.

we just use our imaginations

It's hard with 2 now though since my 11 month old can't do as much as the 2 year old can.

Message edited 6/10/2008 1:56:35 PM.