SAHM's with 14-15 months olds...(long)

kwalk1

What does your day typically look like? I feel like we're getting bored easily, but I think it's because we don't really have a routine. I can't really drive to many places because most everything is at least 30 minutes away. I usually let DD wake up whenever, and I nurse her and then take off her pajamas and change her diaper. Then we go out and get breakfast in the kitchen. After that she just plays by herself, and a couple of days a week if it's not too hot we go outside at this time. I let her play until I can see she's getting sleepy, then nurse her again so she'll go down for a nap. Her naps range anywhere from a half hour to 2 hours. I get lunch done at 12:30 usually and she will eat with us if she's awake, or eat after she wakes up. After lunch she runs around the house and plays with everything again. Hubby leaves for work at 2:00 Wed-Sun, and works until 11. So when he's gone we hardly do anything, not really any activities. She just plays with the dogs, or her toys, or whatever else she finds. I know I need to do more, but I have no ideas. I worked with children all day long at my old job, and I still have no idea what I'm doing. Sorry for the rambling! Just looking for ideas, and schedules you do. TIA!!

brachysira

Well, I am about to give birth, so our days are pretty lame.  However, when I was more mobile...

1.  We did go to a lot of things...  I know moms who are pretty far out who still drive in to do activities.  Library story hours, a public school-run toddler play group, a public school-run outdoor playgroup, music class, and swimming lessons.  Plus, I organize a mom's group hike and nature center visit one day/week.  Perhaps we will do gymnastics in the winter.  We go grocery shopping and occasionally other shopping.  We may do a weekly nature class too.  My moms group also has a swimming playdate at the Y and a weekly mall walk, but we don't do those.

2. At home, you could make your own similar schedule--do art at 3 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays, etc..  Art could involve things sucks as coloring, sticking tissue paper on contact paper, stickers, playdough, finger painting, chalk outside, painting with water outside.  Schedule time to read each day.  Go outside to the park, and visit different parks to mix it up.  Get a baby pool if it is still hot and swim.  

3.  Perhaps get some toys to play with together.  We do puzzles, play with apps on my phone, and have some picture cards of various types that we organize, discuss, spread out, etc.

4. Set up playdates if you know anyone nearby.

URMySunshine77

@brachysira had some great suggestions. A lot of local libraries have infant nursery rhyme time or toddler story time. My library dumps out toys after the story time, and that can keep the kids entertained for an hour.

Our local rec center offers some affordable classes. You could look into a local child music class. Once or twice a week I go to the gym and leave him at the gym child care for an hour. It's good for both us.

MattysGirl81

Now that my older son is back in school, I'm going to try and have more of a routine including:
children's museum, library storytime, walks around the neighborhood, swimming lessons (we've been doing that once a week since he was 10 months). While we're at home I let him explore by himself for a bit and then always engage him in toys. He's starting to play with our older son's train table and play kitchen. We also read lots of books. He loves playing with "his" tupperware cabinet (where all the kid plates, cups, bowls, etc are). Some days are more interesting than others

kwalk1

Thanks ladies! I'll have to look into play groups and things like that, living in a tiny town kind of sucks. Also living with my father in law right now only gives my LO the living room and kitchen to play in. I wish there were another way but we're mega strapped for cash. I will definitely check around for things to do!