how do you amuse one year old all day?

[Jw35]

Funny question I know! We go out every morning, either toddler group or the park. We always do something otherwise she gets bored! Then we have lunch and she naps between 12-2ish, sometimes later but always up by 3. Then the afternoon drags a bit! Dinner is at 5pm. What do you do in this time? I know it will be easier in the summer!

[MrsA2]

We head out again in the afternoon - even if it's just for a wander round the block. Pop to the shops, to the library, park, feed the ducks. As you say, it's a lot easier in the summer though!

[ClaretAndBlue30]

It'll be far easier in summer (I keep telling myself!!) we try to go out after nap before dinner, otherwise we both go stir crazy. What we do can range from a trip to the garden centre or to see friends or to sainsburys! Any thing for a change of scene. On particularly grim days we'll sometimes just get out for 20 mins in the garden.

[splendide]

We normally go to the supermarket to get something for dinner then go for a coffee and park on the way home. He doesn't have coffee!

[christmasmum]

Oh I remember that stage only too well - wasn't just my DC who got bored though! I used to call 3-5pm the witching hours. Anyhow, I ended up writing out a week planner each week with a different activity each afternoon. My top tip is to make sure some of these are in the house though - things like busy boxes, making 'soup' with pretend vegetables, pans and wooden spoons etc. It was good to have some in-the-house ideas as when I had my second DC going out was harder for a while.

[OnlyHereForTheCamping]

You push them on the swings for 200 hours every day. Time bends in the afternoon when you have a toddler

[NiceCupOfTeaAndASitDown]

DD is 13 months. She's baby number 3. Honestly, they don't get bored. Make yourself a cuppa and sit and watch her play. Really just watch her. Only intervene if she's in danger. Offer help if she gets stuck with something but don't jump in there before she's had a chance to try it for herself. Kids of this age don't need to be entertained. You don't need this pressure on yourself! If you're going out once a day you are already doing more than enough. Your child is discovering the world, there is no way she's bored of it already! Maybe spend a morning or two in and go out for the afternoon instead? I do know where you're coming from with the whole witching hour thing. It's pretty Hellish with 3 DC, everyone's tired and hungry and very loud! But seriously (and I'm going to take my own advice here) relax, you're doing a great job

[NiceCupOfTeaAndASitDown]

That should probably have read most kids of this age don't need to be entertained. My eldest who has SN has a very hard job with unstructured time so appreciates some guidance but a lot of DC if left to their own devices find pretty novel ways of entertaining themselves. I wish I'd sat and watched a bit more 1st and 2nd time round

[Jw35]

Thanks Nicecupoftea. I'm pregnant which doesn't motivate me much to do more activity in the afternoon, but I agree it might help! Thanks. I will try and relax a bit but go out again if I'm up to it! Indoor fun would be good, must Google some ideas!

[ClaretAndBlue30]

I have a crazy non stop 15 month old so can sympathise - our indoor favourites at the moment at packs of coloured paper spread everywhere and we stick stickers on them from cheap sticker books, aqua painting with a 'grown up' paint brush, and bubble wrap popping! We can while away an hour or so with these bizarre activities

[justonesherryformedicinalpurpo]

Yes we don't get out much atm as it's so cold! Plus I am pregnant and I forgot how tiring the first trimester is! My energy is at last back. Baby due in summer so not sure if we'll be out much then either!

So atm if we're not popping down my mums, seeing a friend and her son or popping to the shops and park we chill indoors. We're probably indoors 2/3 days a week tbh and might pop out for a walk after dinner (we have it earlier than most).

I admire you for getting out every morning but do cut yourself some slack.

indoors she will follow me while I tidy up. Take everything out the cupboards while I wash up.. "helps" me put wet clothes onto an airer and she has a toy corner for when I'm tidying bedroom/putting clothes away.

She plays independently very well. I join in but I love to watch her so plenty of cuppas for mama.

we have recently organised our toy boxes which has dramatically helped. So we have a music box, a book box, and then one filled with toy baby, toy phone etc. for role playing which I enjoy the most ha ha. We have another for toys that don't belong anywhere but it's definitely helped switch things up a bit and helps me enjoy playtime with her rather than the chaotic mess of clutter it was before!

She also LOVES to watch me have a bath as she loves splashing the water so give yourself a pamper ;)

You're doing great though :)

[justonesherryformedicinalpurpo]

I am definitely following your tip of an activity planner christmasmum that's a great idea!