What do u do with ur 12mo?

[whatdowedowithabouncingbaby]

im a sahm, and i feel i stuck in a rut.

everyday, we do almost the same thing.

breakfast
group
nap
lunch
play
walk
play
dinner
play
bath
story
milk
bed

same toys out
sometimes, i do songs, sometimes i bath lo during day. sometines i try and focus on something, like water play, or teaching lo to colour, but mostly, lo seems happy to play with their toys

i feel like im not doing enough. what do u do with ur lo?

What do u do with ur 12mo all day?

[whatdowedowithabouncingbaby]

Anyone?

[ExBrightonBell]

Do you get out to meet other mums/friends for coffee or similar? Some adult interaction is good for you, as often at groups you don't get much of a chance to chat.

I would also rotate your toys. Put some away in a storage container, and put a selection out each day/week. You could also see if there is a toy library near you, so you can borrow one or two different toys each week/fortnight to change it up again.

Maybe allocate one day to an outing somewhere (easier with a car, but you could still do it via public transport), and make a day of it. Assuming your dd will nap in a pram/car seat of course.

Some people like to go swimming (I don't, I hate it!), so is that something you could do?

When I was on maternity leave I found I needed a plan for the week with different things on each day otherwise I got a bit stir crazy!

[whatdowedowithabouncingbaby]

I don't have a car, but we do tend to do a day trip at the weekend with DH. I've not long moved here, 200 miles from home so don't really have any friends.

His birthday is on sat, so he'll get a load of new toys, and I'll be able to rotate a bit more, that's a great idea.

Making a plan for a week is good too, it might me stay a bit more focused on LO.

[whatdowedowithabouncingbaby]

O and DH takes LO swimming on a Sunday, so I can get some alone time!

[noblegiraffe]

Play park? DD loves the swings and slide.

[specialmagiclady]

Don't worry too much about focussing on LO. Make sure you are making some friends - so kid-friendly cafe, the park, anywhere that other people congregate. If you get into a rhythm it'll be the same people in the same places each week. You may not find friends but you do need colleagues!

Also, make sure you are doing the stuff out and about that you need to. Sometimes just popping to the local shops is an adventure for small people. Also it is good to make sure they are used to it so that when they are toddlers and really awkward, they are aware that this is a thing people do.

It is okay to foster a teeny bit of "independence" at this age and they are still little enough to drag around the shops for example. So understanding that mummy won't be playing with you while she tries on a to

[specialmagiclady]

Ruddy phone - top in Next for example is not bad for a small child.

God that's making it sound like I'm encouraging you to just go shopping and ignore your child. What I'm trying to say is that it sounds a little like you are focussing all your attention on your LO in quite an intense way and it is okay to look outside of the pair of you for some of your activities. Does that make sense?

[whatdowedowithabouncingbaby]

Yeah, totally.

We do pop to the shops and things, but it's more of a 5 mins so I can pick up extra fruit or paper, maybe I should make it a bit longer.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[DIYandEatCake]

Going to a local library is good for getting out, you can read books there and choose some to take home.
I always used to go shopping at dd's nap time, was so peaceful pottering round the shops while she snoozed, and good for a bit of entertainment when she woke up (if hard work sometimes!) At 3 now she loves shopping and behaves beautifully, not sure if that's a good thing or not!
Supermarket was often a nightmare but we did it and again have 'trained' her really well to help and not make a fuss (much...)
Playground, soft play, pet shops, try to be brave and suggest play dates to people who seem friendly.

[vroomvroommum]

The local library is a good idea. Ours has story time mornings etc! And churches often have great little playgroups and toy library's. our local church charges £5 per 6 month membership and you can borrow new toys every week!! All excellent condition and after trying them we've bought some we know will be a hit.