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Parenting

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Original poster

Oh my God, I'm so bored of playing with my baby!

28 replies

PassionKiss · 28/01/2011 13:15

I've been on Mumsnet all morning

I'm watching Loose Women

DD (9 months) is at the stage of crawling constantly and getting into everything so I feel that I can't really get on with anything useful (cooking etc)

We have played with all her toys, looked at all her books.

Had lunch.

I am going out at 3 but that is 2 hours away.

Arrgghh - I am finding babies very dull today.

I think she is bored too

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

HeroShrew · 28/01/2011 13:20

at that age, DS spent a bit too much time in his travel cot filled with toys while I did the housework spent time on here. I doubt he'll remember. Door bouncer was a winner too.

Dunoon · 28/01/2011 13:24

Door bouncer here too. DD1 spent far too long in hers. She loved it.
Or packet of wipes sacrificed to empty.
Or lots of saucepans,colanders etc.
Put her in a big cardboard box with some strange but safe household implements [thank you Libby Purves]

teenyweenytadpole · 28/01/2011 13:24

Travel cots or playpens a godsend IMO, or give her a "safe" cupboard in the kitchen, we had one full of tupperware and wooden spoons that mine could empty out. Got any cardboard boxes she could play with? Give her a bath? Sounds like you need a break - is there anyone who could have her for an hour? Does she have a nap? Babies are quite boring I think but sometimes getting out and about even if only for a walk down the lane or to the library can break things up a bit. Mine used to love the Baby Enstein DVD's at that age, generally I'm not in favour of too much telly for tinies but she loved to watch the colours and listen to the (classical) music...

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Original poster

PassionKiss · 28/01/2011 13:25

Hmmm - door bouncer is a definite possibility - I haven't bought one as I keep thinking - oh well she'll be out of it in 5 mins. But maybe worth it for my sanity!

OP posts:

seeker · 28/01/2011 13:28

Mae her a treasure basket. She'l love it - and it's huge fun finding stuff to go in it. here but don't be conned into buying anything special - you'll have everything you need at home. But you'll never look at rubber gloves, pan scoureres and hardware shops the same way again!

Original poster

PassionKiss · 28/01/2011 13:29

Baby Enstein - good idea thanks (need to wait till payday)

She is actually due for a nap in half an hour - but that's hit and miss tbh.

LOL Dunoon - she does love a pack of wipes!

OP posts:

MoonUnitAlpha · 28/01/2011 13:32

I stick mine in a sling on my back and ignore him while doing other things He seems happy enough though.

ChippingInSmellyCheeseFreak · 28/01/2011 13:36

She's 9 months - of course she's boring to play with constantly

She doesn't need playing with constantly either, it's not good for her to come to rely on being entertained.

Give her some 'stuff' and leave her to it... MN, drink hot coffee & stop feeling guilty while doing it!

ShushBaby · 28/01/2011 13:37

Give her a pan with a load of (safe) utensils in it. She'll love it!

DrSeuss · 28/01/2011 13:55

It's a myth that she needs your constant interaction and IMO, thye need to learn to play by themselves as well as with others. Give her a pan and a spoon, or some greaseproof paper that makes a godd noise and leave her to it for a while.

QueenOfFlamingEverything · 28/01/2011 13:59

YY to the box.

DS is currently sat in one chewing my hairbrush.

More people should keep their babies in boxes IMO. Even my 7yo still enjoys a good box.

seeker · 28/01/2011 13:59

PLEASE make her a treasure basket! Oh, I do wish I still had a baby to make one for!

QueenOfFlamingEverything · 28/01/2011 13:59

Should say - DS is 6mo. The 7yo is at school, not in a box chewing a hairbrush

seeker · 28/01/2011 14:02

My dd spent a significant chunk of time once when she was about 6 pretending to be a post box. We had to feed her through the slot.

Now that was a good box. It cost a lot of money but it came with a free Brabantia touch top bin.

Original poster

PassionKiss · 28/01/2011 14:13

Ok, ok seeker I will make her a box! I remember now I got a hand-out about them at my local Surestart centre. I have a suitable wicker basket as well!

QueenOf There might be some big boxes in the garage - I will go and look later!

Thanks for suggestions!

OP posts:

seeker · 28/01/2011 14:41

don't forget to put a builder's glove (the sort with lots of plastic grippy bobbles on). My dcs loved theirs. Interesting smell, texture, colour and SO BIG compared to their hands1

AngelDog · 28/01/2011 19:25

Yes, treasure basket.

I used to make sure the room door was closed & let DS roam around playing with stuff while I got on with things. Enjoy it - now he's 13 m.o. and keeps wanting to be lifted up to see things high up.

seeker, thanks for the builder's glove suggestion - I'll add it to DS's.

AngelDog · 28/01/2011 19:26

Plug on a chain is the favourite treasure basket item here.

seeker · 28/01/2011 22:56

The builder's glove would make heuristic purists have canniptions - but they are wonderful objects!

minko · 28/01/2011 23:00

This might be a bit non-PC, but there's always the telly... there's a wonderful thing called CBeebies.

GraceK · 28/01/2011 23:14

It's also when Radio 4 comes in handy - the background noise of grown ups talking was one of the few things that stopped my brain melting with DD1. You can also kid yourself it's enhancing their language development - having more voices to listen to. Seems less brain-achingly dull 2nd time round as always seem to be rushing somewhere for the elder one & she likes to do a lot of the repetitive play.

Also does your child like ripping things up? DD2 does so I give her all the old catalogues & post that should go thru the shredder & she enjoys doing most of the shredding for me - might try putting her in a big box next time to enhance her fun & limit the shredding to a smaller area.

In warmer weather naked washing up of a plastic tea set can take up hours & hours whilst you monitor & consume both real & imaginary tea .

Orissiah · 29/01/2011 09:22

Jumperoo and playpen were godsends for us. Also, as I got cabin fever alot I used to bundle her into the buggy and take her me for walks a couple of times a day - just 45 mins so she wouldn't get bored (ie want to get out and crawl). I also found simply closing the door to the room we were in helped me do things in that room without having to play with/entertain/keep an eye on her.

Orissiah · 29/01/2011 09:27

By the way, no child needs constant attention/entertaining. My DD learned early on to entertain herself as I am not very good at playing. At 8 months she could play by herself for 15 minutes or so simply because I ignored her; at 2.5 years she can play on her own for an hour - I don't feel guilty because a) She plays all week with her friends at daycare and b) Being able to make ones own entertainment is a good lifelong skill to learn.

DrSeuss · 29/01/2011 09:58

Can I just say, I was so glad to read the title and OP? In a world where we are supposed to love every aspect of Mummydom, it's always good to know that it drives others insane too!

confusedperson · 29/01/2011 12:21

Wait a couple of years, until your baby will be a toddler! My 3yo DS woke up at 6am and hasn't stop talking since! (mind you now is 12pm)

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