If you have no help and don't use dvds...what do you do?!

jaybird44

HELP, seriously... What do you do all day?  I have a 19 month old and I feel like I have become addicted to putting on dvds for him (education ones at least) and in turn he's becoming addicted to them...

Just seems like one, I can't get anything done if I don't and two, I just can't entertain him all day long.  He takes a short nap and is up from 8 a.m. til 9 p.m.  I take him to the park everyday but that doesn't really take up much of the day.

 Plus now I'm pregnant and nauseous and more tired than usual...

I really don't like him watching dvds but don't know what else to do? 

BelleBaby

Is he interested in coloring yet?  Maybe get him some of those younger kid-friendly crayons or markers that only work on special paper and let him doodle at the table or something.

Maybe some large piece puzzles?

Goodysgirl

He won't play with toys?

We have a wide variety of toys for DD- books, puzzles, push toys, cozy coupe, play-doh, crayons, play kitchen, clippos...

What about finger painting? Baby pool? Sprinkler? Errands? Zoo?

Oh, there are plenty of ways I could fill my days if I were home everyday!  

erinjcianciolo

we bought DD a swing to hang in the backyard and she loves to go out and do that.  we also got her a new bike for her 1st birthday, so we take her for walks in that.  she just started swim lessons this week, we go to story time at Barnes and Noble and she plays with her toys.

she's gotten really good at independent play over the last few weeks, which has been great since i'm 7.5 months pregnant..... 

jerzeygirl4ever

Paige is 19 months and just got into coloring. I bought her an easel size pad of paper and some washable markers/crayons and she goes to town. This activity can last an hour. Best part she will sit in her highchair and color or we go out on the deck and she does it on the coffee table we have out there.

She also have a water table (sink) outside that keeps her busy on the weekends. We also have a bubble machine that she (and the dog) enjoy.

We do puzzles, read books, go for a walks in the stroller, shopping...we sing songs/dance, make music, dress up her dolly.

My advice is don't even turn the TV on... we have it on for background noise most weekends, but i've noticed when its not on, she plays better.

macchiatto

Goodysgirl:

He won't play with toys?

We have a wide variety of toys for DD- books, puzzles, push toys, cozy coupe, play-doh, crayons, play kitchen, clippos...

What about finger painting? Baby pool? Sprinkler? Errands? Zoo?

Oh, there are plenty of ways I could fill my days if I were home everyday!  

This (though we haven't started play-doh yet and I don't know what clippos are). I would set a limit for yourself--maybe 1 DVD a day--and beyond that, toys, books, puzzles, library story time, errands, the zoo, playground, kiddie pool, etc. Some of those things I can't do b/c it's too hard on my own with two 18-month-olds but they should be doable with one!

macchiatto

Oh yeah, we do also have a kangaroo climber inside and swings (and a kiddie pool) outside. Their favorite toys right now are their cozy coupes, play kitchen, Legos, Fisher Price medical kit, baby doll, Little People farm and tractor set, cars, phones, and Alex is obsessed with books.

wall0307

He plays well on his own most of the time.  I move him from room to room and outside when he seems to be getting bored.  When I'm cleaning in the kitchen, I'll give him the swiffer (which I have shortened), and he'll push that around the floor.  I also give him a wet wash cloth when I'm wiping the counters.  He likes to help.  He's normally fussiest in the afternoon.  I've been giving him home made popsicles.  He loves these, and it takes him awhile to eat them.  This gives me some free time.  I will also take him for a walk in the afternoon to give him some quiet times. 

My DS likes to play with play dough and loves to color with markers.  These are some activities that don't require a lot of energy from me. 

jaybird44

Thanks for all the ideas, I guess it's time to get a new set of toys/activities... For some reason he has never really done independent play unless I'm just sitting there doing nothing. If I start doing anything, cooking, cleaning, emailing, phone, he's all over me...so it's like unless I'm sitting there physically entertaining him all day, I can't do anything...it's exhausting...I do love being with him and I know it's a great privilege, don't get me wrong..

jaybird44

I guess the other issue is I'm living overseas, in Romania right now..so I haven't really seen all the age group toys, I usually would be all over in the US...and I don't have a car, so we are required to walk to run any errands and to go to the park and all that...which is fine it's just more tiring...

8.7.6 Bride

How about a ball pit?  He also loves the baby touch series of books .  I am sorry you are feeling under the weather with the morning sickness. 

ncbelle

If I'm doing something like cleaning, kiddo just bops around and plays or "helps" me.  I stop every so often and play with him for a few minutes - that seems to keep him going longer.  I also talk to him while I'm working.  He doesn't play independently for long stretches - it's more like he plays a bit then comes to check in and goes back to play a bit more.

I don't really feel like I do anything special...

StinaSLC

Goodysgirl:

Oh, there are plenty of ways I could fill my days if I were home everyday!  

I think that's easier said than done -- there are plenty of days where I am counting down the clock!