Boring toddlers?

[youareasyoungasyoufeel]

My boy is 20 months only child so far and I'm a stay at home mum. We do go out often but some days we stay at home like today and I've found it a bit boring as it's just the same old toys etc and he's not very vocal so no conversations yet and so I e ended up with 2 trips to town

Am I the only one feeling like this? Is it normal to feel a bit bored?

When hubby is home it's more fun as he's a big child himself

[youareasyoungasyoufeel]

Anyone

[crazychemist]

Totally normal to feel bored. I couldn’t bear to spend a whole day in with DD and the same toys all day, it’s so isolating. I planned something to do every morning so that we’d be able to toddle there slowly, do something stop somewhere for a snack on the way back.... basically take up the whole morning! I’d get some adult company sometimes too at toddler groups etc. Then the afternoon doesn’t feel so long, especially as I’m assuming your son still naps?

[youareasyoungasyoufeel]

He naps from 12-2 usually yes how old is your child

[sewinginscotland]

Mine is 13mo, I can't stay in with him all day. We tend to go out 10-12, between naps. He then naps 1-3, so it's teatime before you know it.

I can probably manage playing with his toys for about 15 minutes, but luckily he likes to play with himself while I get jobs done (laundry, unload the dishwasher, there's always so much to do!).

[youareasyoungasyoufeel]

Ok sewinginscotland that's quite young still but my baby is 20 months now he's almost 2 so is it still naughty to feel a bit bored like I can't stay in all day

[April45]

I know what you mean, we like to get out and do things, my DS needs the fresh air each day but we make different adventures out if it. This time if year is great, going for a walk pick some leaves and pinecones and come home to make a picture. Simple but really occupies him.

[crazychemist]

My DD is 3 now, and she’s a lot easier in lots of ways, so if the weather is foul it’s not the end of the world if we don’t go out. But I’ve tried to get out every day right from the start, I’d just find being at home all day too boring and lonely! Before I had DD I just hadn’t realised how terribly isolating it can be. Even now DD is chatty and cheerful, it’s a long day to play with the same toys over and over!

@youareasyoungasyoufeel are you in an area that still has Children’s centres? These have been an absolutel godsend to me. They usually have stay and play one morning (or sometimes afternoon) and one bounce and rhyme in the local library one morning. If you have a car/decent public transport you might be able to get to a different one most days! Stay and Play is brilliant - they put on different activities every week, so there’s enough variety to save your sanity, and although you’re predminantly playing with your kid you do gradually get to know the other mums there (more so than in any toddler activity I’ve ever paid for). Bounce and rhyme is also great because it’s in your local library. They usually put toys out first so you can arrive early, and most libraries out out some colouring afterwards, or you can read etc so I stay after the session.

With both of these types of activities, you don’t pay anything, and you don’t have to commit in advance, so they are soooooo flexible and wonderful!

If you don’t mind spending some money, they are plenty of franchises out there that do toddler activities. However, the sessions are much shorter (typically 30mins) and I find that people tend to arrive on time and leave straight away, so you don’t get to know other mums. Nor does you child get the same benefits of social development. We still do these because they usually have specific skills in mind - DD loves cycle tots (they potter around on balance bikes, £8 per 45 min session but they set up different tracks each week and do activities)

My best weeks are when I’ve thought of a routine in advance. So I know what each day’s outing is (preferably two!) and I’ve got a few activities up my sleeve to change things up a bit from the same old toys.

[youareasyoungasyoufeel]

Hi crazy chemist yes we do have those free groups u are talking about stay and play etc and we try to go but the last month or so they have been clashing with his nap times but we managed to go this week so that was fun

So if ur child is 3 and it still gets a bit boring,I wonder when is it not so boring lol! ?

[crazychemist]

I think I still have a while till she’s interesting all the time! In fairness, I don’t get bored during warm weather, it’s just being cooped up inside that I find dull!

[youareasyoungasyoufeel]

Same as me