OT SAHM Help

unaveragejane

I knew being a SAHM was not an easy job, but I am really struggling with it. On the surface, it seems like it should be a great gig. I get to stay at home all day with my wonderful son, make him homecooked goodness for every meal, keep up with the laundry, and fart roses. In reality, I feel like I spend all my time in the floor trying to keep him happy. Mornings are okay, but by 2:00 I'm about to go BSC. He's bored. I'm bored. It just sucks. We get out of the house for at least an hour almost every day, but it's the times when we are home for a 4 hour stretch b/n naps that is making me nuts. I try changing up rooms, but I can only keep him away from cords, lamps, and DH's electronics for so long. I don't know whether to try to throw away everything that is low enough for him to reach or just confine ourselves to the living room, kitchen, and den. He's too little to do art projects. (I've tried, but he wants to eat everything.) He hated story time at the library b/c I wouldn't let him steal some lady's DVD. We've got the park and the community pool, but otherwise I'm at a loss. Please help! Tell me this will get easier or something. I am seriously in the "never another baby again" camp right now, and it bums me out!

tjkdlhb

No real advice... I was happy for my year long mat leave... but by the end of it I was more than ready to go back to work.

Total sympathy.  He will be come more independent.  And very rapidly.  Soon he'll be able to spend time playing by himself (and it will be good for him to do so).  Just hang in there.  And try to find some time to do something for yourself.

TJ1979

I'm not a SAHM so you can tell me to shove it if you want. But what about a pool or water table in the back yard? Or does LO like a jumper at all? Or you could do afternoon playtime in the bath tub if it isn't an integral part of bedtime routine. Just a couple ideas I use on the weekends.

Also, is it just me or have you been missing lately? I'm sorry you're struggling. Hugs!

stoneycakes

I totally hear you.  When I thought about becoming a SAHM, I envisioned having so much more time for myself.  I thought I would have time to keep a super clean house, do some interior decorating, make my own baby food, cook awesome meals for our family, etc.  It is soooooo not how I thought it would be.  The house is a disaster, DS is still far from STTN and we are both bored a lot of the time.  I know what you mean by being trapped in the house between naps!  I feel like I don't do enough activities with him, but he just isn't really into it when I even try to read a book to him.  Sorry I don't have any advice, but you are definitely not alone!  PM me if you want to commiserate. 

runningyogimama

I've got no advice, either, but can definitely relate. I thought that staying home would be wonderful, and I would get so much done and hang out with baby all day. Well, my house is a complete disaster, and DH doesn't understand why, since I'm home all day. I work 2 nights a week and have class 2 nights, so if I want to get any real cleaning or homework done, I'm up until 2, so it kind of negates the fact that DD STTN and doesn't nap much during the day, and I spend most of the day on the floor with her, trying to keep her entertained.

You're definitely not alone.

sarenu1

Look up sensory items in google and pinterest.

It could be beans in a sealed bottle for all he cares. Also boxes are great toys, scraps of fabric in different material.

Folding laundry is also a great task. My daughter loved pulling stuff out of the baskets. I usually limited it to her clothes and diapers.

Dishes are fun when they are older, as well as cooking. She loves watching what I do. Can you put him in a high chair to watch you cook?

Haley.Beth

Independent play time is a necessity, for both of you! He needs to learn how to entertain himself, you need some time to get things done and feel like an adult. Baby proof as much as you can and let him go. I'm not a full time SAHM, but I've been on maternity leave for a month now and dd mostly plays by herself. I make sure to spend plenty of time with her, of course, but she is much happier most of the time when I leave her to her own devices. If she wants me to play with her, she will let me know. The only rooms open to her are the living/dining/kitchen (they're open in our house) and her room, everything else stays closed off, so there's not actually anything she can destroy. 

unaveragejane

You are so sweet! Yes, I have been limiting my bump time lately, and we went on vacation last week. I use the term "vacation" loosely since our 13 month old was with us. haha

We do have a wading pool and water table, but he gets tired of them after 10 minutes max. I can't leave them filled b/c of mosquitos, so it actually takes me more time to get everything set up and filled than DS plays with them. AHHH! But thanks for the kind thoughts and ideas!

unaveragejane

Thanks, everyone. I feel a little less like I'm rowing this boat alone now. I think something else is going on with DS today, too. He's been a little more high maintenance than usual, and his nap was off. Hopefully tomorrow will be better and we can go to the real pool for a little while.

plusoneblog

Have you tried meetup.com or baby classes in your area? Maybe hanging out with some other moms would be fun

violajack

I hear you on bored at home part. We went to the zoo today with friends. Nothing got done around the house, but I wasn't there to notice. DH brought home take out for dinner. It's not a solution for every day, but if I do something like that once every week or two, it helps deal with the days that are spent at home. Play dates are a vital part of my sanity, and they are absolutely about me getting to play with other moms. We usually go out for lunch or coffee and then to a park or playground. Luckily, I live in a good area for that kind of stuff. I have a few close friends that I like to see weekly. For a while we had a class or play date lined up every day of the week. 

Our local college has baby/child development classes for caregivers to bring babies to. We go to a baby gym class once a week. We're going to start music classes next month. I'm not crafty, so those home activities don't happen here. DS is majorly mobile, so going places he can roam freely while I get to interact with other adults is key for us. 

jsharkk

I'm a SAHM and full time nanny for my sister. I watch her 14.5 month old (12 month adjusted son) and I have my own 5.5 month old daughter. I must say having 2 is a lot more fun then having just one! My nephew would never sit and had to be entertained constantly and then a month ago when DD started sitting my nephew started sitting too. Now they sit and play together.

Also, I regained a lot of sanity once everything was baby proofed. I use the play pen a lot so I can get things done while my nephew plays by himself and I usually have the kids in the highchair with toys while I do meal prep or clean the kitchen. I do try to get out of the house at least once a day too, even if it's just for a walk down the road.