What to do with a 1 year old

babyaustin725

I am going to be watching a 1 year old for the foreseeable future 2 days/week.  I'm pretty excited because Tillman's in school and I'm lonesome, and it's a little extra income (not a ton, but will pay for our groceries each month).  She is just starting to walk.  Obviously, since Tillman is SIX now, we don't have any baby stuff around here:  no exersaucer, etc. 

I have a pack and play that I'm borrowing, but I'd like to reserve that as her nap space. I have her umbrella stroller, so we can definitely take a walk or go stroll around the mall, but at home I'm at a loss of what to do.   When Tillman was this age, we had all the age appropriate stuff plus he was in daycare until he was almost 2, so I wasn't home with him all day.

Should I spend a little money on some toys to keep at my place?  Any suggestions on something affordable that can pretty much disappear when put away?  (I am not interested in having a bunch of baby toys in our tiny home that are only getting used 2x/week.)  If I put children's songs on and give her some toys, can I do my housework (with her in sight of course)?  

I can't believe that I don't know what to do.  It's like I've never had a baby.

 

  

JDCSKF

You could try Craigslist or garage sales for a few toys. Something to ride/walk with, and maybe some blocks to stack....after that I'm sure you could find tupperware and and wooden spoons from your kitchen for her to play with.

You might ask the mom to bring a stuffed animal and some books with her for the day too.

Seattle_JiLLn

Whether you can get anything done while she plays will really depend on the kid.  Some kids play ok on their own at that age and some (most?) don't.   And if she's just starting to walk, you're probably going to be following her around a lot making sure she doesn't run into things.  

You'll want to look around and baby proof some... make sure that any of T's small toys are put up high/away in his room - like Lego's especially.  Make sure that you don't have any cleaning products in a low cabinet that's not locked.  She's at the age where she will want to get into everything probably.  

She's too big for an exersaucer or anything like that, so you're OK there.  And yeah I'd reserve the pack n play for naps or maybe for stashing her in it so you an run to the bathroom.  

As for toys, ask her mom what she likes and maybe have her bring some.  You can probably give her a wooden spoon and some tupperware and she'll like that.  You can give her a big bowl of dry pasta and some measuring cups to scoop and pour and play with.  Pots make good drums too.  Pushing a laundry basket around can also be fun if she's starting to walk.  You can have her "help" you fold laundry probably. 

**Maggiepoo**

Tupperware, mixing bowls, wooden spoons to make drums, empty milk jugs, water bottles filled with things (beans, rice, etc.) and glued shut, measuring cups, sitting in the grass and pointing at things, going for walks, just wondering around checking things out are what DS loves to do the most and you don't have to get a bunch of stuff that you don't have on hand. You may want to check out a consignment store and just pick up a few little toys to have on hand but you shouldn't need a ton. If you have a PNP and a umbrella stroller that should be all that you need, except maybe a little high chair/booster seat. I watch a little guy along with DS one day a week and having the booster to put him in is very helpful at lunch time.  

tfarabians

I was totally going to say what pp said.  Let your kitchen be yours toys.  pots pans tupperware wooden spoons are the best toys ever!  I would skip the saucer because if she is close to walking she is too big for that but you might consider one of those little standing tables that they can push the buttons and they make music and such.   I bet Tillman has some balls that he would love to play with?  Jagger loves beach balls.  Do you have a carseat that you can take LO places during the day if you need to run errands or go to the library for story time?  I would wait to buy any baby toys and maybe you will get a better idea of what LO likes to play with.  You might be able to pick some stuff up at the bumps and babies fair in feb for cheap?  Or make it an outing where you take LO to a toy store and pick out some things?  You can always consign that stuff at the bnb fair too!

WatchPot

How fun for you!  I don't have much to add but you will quickly pick it up and come up with great new things to do as you get to know the kid.  Enjoy the new "hobbie"!

babyaustin725

Super embarrassed:  I usually keep my house very tidy.  I don't dust all the time or deep clean constantly, but it is always very tidy.  Well, since little miss is here (according to the suggestions), I have tons of tupperware and all spoons and stuff all over my living room.  Of course today, of all days, my neighbor needs something and I let her in to see my living room of despair!  I shouldn't be so selfish, though, she really needed help and I'm sure she didn't even see the mess.  At least that's what I'm going to continue to tell myself.

tfarabians

babyaustin725:

Super embarrassed:  I usually keep my house very tidy.  I don't dust all the time or deep clean constantly, but it is always very tidy.  Well, since little miss is here (according to the suggestions), I have tons of tupperware and all spoons and stuff all over my living room.  Of course today, of all days, my neighbor needs something and I let her in to see my living room of despair!  I shouldn't be so selfish, though, she really needed help and I'm sure she didn't even see the mess.  At least that's what I'm going to continue to tell myself.

don't feel bad that is my house on a daily basis!  I spend 1/2 hour in the morning picking all the stuff up and then cruz comes home from school and so I spend another 1/2 hour at night picking up cruz's and jaggers AND dh's stuff!!! 

Seattle_JiLLn

You have a baby in there with toys.  How is that embarrassing??

babyaustin725

because it didn't look like toys. It just looked like I had my kitchen spread out all over my house.

Seattle_JiLLn

I'm sure she understood... I would like to think that people know that if you have kids in the house, anything goes.    You would die if you saw my house right now if you think some tupperware on the floor is embarrassing!