When can they just "sit still"?

bluejayway

My DD is 12 months and is ALWAYS on the go. Like when we're in a restaurant, she wants to do anything but sit in her high chair (and we don't even put her in there until the food comes). She hates sitting in shopping carts, her car seat, her stroller (we've taken to walking with a red wagon, because she'll tolerate it for a few mins), just wants to explore, move and go.

Anyway, she's super fun and very advanced for her age and I love her beyond belief. But I am a little worried about my ability to handle two of this velocity. She'll be 19 months when no. 2 is born. Stupid question, but by that age, will she be able to sit and like, color, for 5 minutes? Or focus and watch a tv show for 15 mins? At what age can they just sort of remain doing an activity for a short while?

I'm holding out hope that no. 2 is a little bit more mellow--at my 12 week u/s it was just chillin--good sign. 

jenns123

DD is almost 2 and watch TV for about 15 minutes and will sit to eat but that is about it.  She is very active and wants to go go go!  We went to the movies to see Winnie the Pooh and she stood in front of her seat most of the time but had suckers and bagels too.

I am waiting for the day she can sit still and color quietly in church.  I hope by the time DS is mobile she will sit still a little bit better.  We'll see

melissa00718

Your DD sounds like my kiddos I hate to say it, but sometimes my 9 1/2 year old can't sit still for 5 minutes! Lol. In all seriousness though, every child is different, but she will probably start becoming engaged in activities more and more as she gets older. My DD is just now, at almost 13 months, starting to sit and play with toys for a few minutes at a time before resuming her business. I usually only leave a few toys out at a time, then rotate them so they are new to her again... That seems to help

12bailey18

DS is 19 months old now and we just brought DD home. To answer your question- No, he cannot sit still....lol. I just introduced coloring to him and he hasn't quite grasped the concept to sit and color a page. He can sit and watch a little bit of Nick Jr. but for the most part he's still here, there, and everywhere...LOL.

kcisthebombdotcom

My 19 month old doesnt sit still yet.

As long as you babyproof extensively before LO #2 comes so you don't have to keep an eye on him every second, you'll be fine.

I suppose always being on the go is better than clinging to you every second, right?

LilCMom

My DD is almost 2, but at 19 months she could definitely sit still for 15 - 20 minutes. It usually involved a cartoon and a sippy cup of milk, but I could get her to sit still if those things were available!!

 You may have to just buy a play yard so she can be on the floor playing with toys but enclosed, or put her in a pack n' play while you're nursing. You have to do what will keep her safe while you're feeding number 2!

bluejayway

KC_13:

I suppose always being on the go is better than clinging to you every second, right?

True. And like I said, I love her personality. She's hilarious. I can imagine her pitching a total fit though, if I try to put her in a pack n play while feeding number 2 (plus from what I recall, feeding took like hourrrrsss at a time in the beginning). I'm just going to have to see what happens. She prefers to wander the living room/dining room/kitchen area right now and gets into everything (but there's nothing dangerous she could reach, outlets are covered, etc) so I just kind of let her and watch and clean up after her. We shall see, I guess. 

mrsseguin

DS will be 3 in November, and he is still always on the go.  If I put a movie on for him, I can maybe get him to sit for 30 minutes.  I had DS paint the other day, and he painted for less time than it took for me to get everything set up.  It's hard, but I think you get used to it in a way...

jsugrin

bluejayway:

KC_13:

I suppose always being on the go is better than clinging to you every second, right?

True. And like I said, I love her personality. She's hilarious. I can imagine her pitching a total fit though, if I try to put her in a pack n play while feeding number 2 (plus from what I recall, feeding took like hourrrrsss at a time in the beginning). I'm just going to have to see what happens. She prefers to wander the living room/dining room/kitchen area right now and gets into everything (but there's nothing dangerous she could reach, outlets are covered, etc) so I just kind of let her and watch and clean up after her. We shall see, I guess. 

For feeding, you'll quickly learn how to feed and move at the same time.  With #2 there were none of those long, leisurely feeding sessions.  It's also helpful to get a few new books and I'd read to #1 while feeding #2, playdough is a good activity for an active kid too while your feeding and of course combining as many feedings for both kids helps too, so breakfast, snack, lunch, snack and dinner all give you chances to hopefully feed #2 while #1 is busy eating.

The one thing that saved my sanity (and I reserved this for those 10 min or so I needed to get #2 quieted down and in his crib) was that #1 had no TV or video exposure prior to #2's arrival.  At that point he was obsessed with garbage trucks so I would put on a 10 min youtube Garbage truck video and he wouldn't move.

AmandaP678

DS1 is 23 months and still doesn't sit.