To think I might not be doing enough 'fun stuff' with our baby during the day?

[mameulah]

Apart from music/swimming classes etc what do you do with your baby through the day?

My dh works seven days a week, and will have to continue doing so indefinitely. Our ds and I have been going to the beach, shops, park, the soft play place, the pet shop. Where else/what else do you do that we could do too?

And how many activities do you 'do' in one day?

tia

not that much.. the really dont need to do a "thing" every day.

though are you doing it more for you.. to get company to keep busy so your not bored?

i say go find a freidn to go to the coffee shop with or go to their's for a natter!

How old is the baby? Sounds like your doing plenty.

When DS was a baby we did no organised activities just the odd day out and getting on with day to day life. DS is 3.8 now and that's not changed (although he does a couple of days at nursery)

Children don't need to be constantly entertained. Don't worry!

How old is DS?

To be honest I think I do less than average judging on a lot I see here!

My DD is 25months and we do go out but not always. She's pretty happy "helping" me with stuff or just playing in the garden.

I'm pregnant and have been a bit poorly recently so we haven't got out much. Apart from me being a bit more I can't see that it's affecting her that much. She doesn't seem bored - just rifling through a bag of old costume jewellery seems to make her happy for an hour!

what everybody else said realy children and babies dont need to be amused with fun things every single day it is ok to just be at home not doing anything , dont panic you are doing loads , if you amuse them everyday they may learn that all is what mummy is for to amuse them and they wont play on their own

We used to try and do an activity every morning, but that included going for coffee at a friends, or sometimes just going shopping.

Your baby is learning as much, but probably more, from being at home with you just chatting about normal things or singing or playing with toys and puzzles and having stories.

I think it sounds like you do plenty.

That should have been "apart from me being a bit bored"

When my kids were little i tried to get out every day even if it was just to the local shops, play park or even a walk round the block. I am not sure they would all be termed 'fun'. We also had time at home playing, reading, bathtime etc which would be fun i suppose. I expected them to find ways to amuse themselves the rest of the time. As babies on a play mat or sitting in their high chair as i cooked, cleaned etc. As they got older playing with their toys or just following me around. Kids don't need you to do things with them 24/7. What you are doing seems fine to me.

Sounds like you're doing loads to me. They get stimulation from everything as it is.

DS is 8 months. I go to 2 baby classes a week and DP takes him swimming on Sundays. Some days we walk to the shop/round to visit family but other than that we hang around read books, smash toys together, eat muslins (autocorrect wants me to eat Muslims ). His favourite thing so far today has been watching me shake the washing and peg it out. He found it hilarious.

oh yes there is nothing wrong with going out everyday but it doesn't have to be baby related things you do even going to the shops or wherever is giving a baby stimulation and stops us losing the plot

Im not sure Muslims would be very tasty WYDTF

I think it depends on the baby. Once DD was crawling, we had to get out and do an activity once a day at least as she and I would go a bit nuts at home (with accompanying naughty behaviour). We frequented Gymboree rather than softplay (as it's a membership arrangement, and I made good friends there as it's regularly the same parents), did swimming classes once a week. For a while I was a member of a gym so could take her to the pool there too. Found the crawling stage the hardest as coffees with NCT mums etc. dried up, as the babies wanted to move yet were still too young for softplay cafes. Once DD was down to one nap in the middle of the day I tried to get out for one thing morning and afternoon, although not both "fun" things - maybe grocery shopping in the morning then playground in the afternoon. However I really do think it depends on the temperament of the child (and parent) as some of my friends easily spent all day at home without any problem.

Thanks everyone, that makes me feel a bit better! Our ds is eight months old. I feel better hearing what you are all saying.

What I miss most about that age is just cuddling up on the bed and staring at my boys. So do more of that. It is never wasted time. These days the buggers won't keep still long enough for me to do it!