What do you do with your one year olds?

[bobblehead]

Ok so I know this type of thing has been done before, but I'm suddenly having a crisis of confidence! I think I'm not someone who reacts well to change and generally needs a routine, but things are now changing (as they do with babies...). My friend who I spend at least 2 days a week with (lives close by and has dd same age as mine) is returni9ng to work next week so I already feel lonely without her. On top of this dd seems to be changing her routine from having a big 2hr nap in the morning to having a long nap in the middle of the day. I have no family around, not many friends (most of whom work) and need some inspiration of simple things to do with dd. At the moment we take walks, go shopping and just finished a weekly swimming class. I felt we were doing fine up until this week when I suddenly feel what if I'm not doing enough with her? Would love to hear how other people spend their days (especially if not at toddler groups, which scare the life out of me!)

I bought this book which has lots of activity ideas

My DS is 16 mths now. We go shopping or run errands most days, go to one playgroup, a music class, sometimes go to the playground for the swings

Maybe you just need one activity to replace your swimming class

Thanks Theblonde, an excuse to do some amazon shopping.

We do a music class, swimming, the park, Tescos (his favourite, I'm sure), a toddler group. Actually, ds's favourite activity is hoovering.

Is there a TumbleTots near you? Tires your dd out, and not so scary as a toddler group because its structured. But you still get to chat to the other mums a bit and might meet some new friends.

Does your local library do a story time?

Also our parish church does a toddler session - story, craft, sing a song, snack, playtime. Again its not so scary as a normal toddler group because its structured.

Don't think there is a tumble tots, though that sounds great. We live in Canada and much as I'll be hated for complaining about this, the weather is so good in Summer I feel a terrible pressure to be outdoors doing things. I do like walking but there seems to be only so many places I can go and being in the prairies its not too scenic (oh and the whole sunscreen-keeping a hat on a toddler thimg too!). We do have -40 winters if that makes you feel better!

we do a baby sign class, swimming and one toddler group a week. Also during the week when we are are home dd has a 1/2hr to 1hr nap in the morning and then we have the radio on (she loves to dance) and play on the floor with her toys or we usually go to the park and shops (i keep mon/fri free coz thats when dh is most likely to take days off) she has a long nap in the afternoon and then its snack/play etc till tea (trying to educate her and we listen to classic fm ) she's almost one btw

Hi, we go to a babytime at the central town library, which is a good option if yours does one - my girl tends to play more than read but she does enough of that at home! We also go to the park and to somewhere called Gymboree which is ace if a bit expensive and commercial (bit like an american tumble tots) Also at home we play doing the washing up, painting, then washing everything again and so on.

Oh, and CBeebies is a life-saver for those aargh what now? moments

that you lot feel like you have to keep taking your one year olds out. I go to the odd park occasionally, see a friend here or there, I hate shopping - supermarket or otherwise so tend to do on-line shopping. Mind you, my 14 month old is a 3rd baby so what with school runs and racing around after the other two and all the housework there really isnt much time to do much else but I really dont remember putting in structured events with my first either. I think children this young are fine just trotting along with mummy, diving through cupboards while mummy washes up etc etc. I really dont think that EVERY day needs to be filled - not for them anyway - maybe if its for mums sanity then fair enough.

I have a one year old and I work three days a week.

On my days off, we generally go swimming one morning and off to the shops in the afternoon.

If the weather is nice, we drive out somewhere we can feed ducks and have a nosey about together, usually stopping for coffee or similar (sometimes she's asleep).

We go to a church group every other week. I don't like it much, but it's some structure. We used to go to a softplay cafe but she's outgrown one bit of it now and is too small for the other bit IYSWIM.

I had a lovely antenatal group but they all went back to work and we don't have the same days off. I find Thursdays pretty soul destroying at times and I think I need something more structured now where I can chat to other mums.

Hi just bought a good range of books from Amazon full of ideas. They are targeted at preschool groups (which I help run) bought you could adapt the ideas to home play. They are called 'The little book of.....' there is a music, maths, messy, outdoor play etc. Not too expensive but full of practical ideas and tell you what you will be helping your child to develop by doing each activity.

You do need to meet other people though. Why not ring a play group organiser and ask them to introduce you to the group if you don't like attending alone. We welcome new members and have a policy of ensuring they do not sit alone for 4 weeks. But you do have to make the brave step yourself to talk to someone new!

poppiesinaline, I thought ALL tumbletots, music classes, swimming, toddler groups etc. etc. were for mum's sanity! My mum had coffee with all the other mummies in the street - I have had to go out and track them down. I definitely agree that none of these things are necessary for babies and toddlers, but they can be a life saver for mums.

ahhhhh so thats why people go to them! Always wondered! Could never quite see the appeal myself! I have quite a good network of friends so would rather sit round each others houses than at 'music' classes or toddler groups full of screaming kids You have just cleared up one of life's mysteries for me.

Thanks everyone
Think I've been losing sight of the fact activities are for my sanity. You're right that she couldn't care less. Also she won't be thinking "its a nice day outside, why are we shopping?".
We've just been for a wander round the mall and spent a LONG time in a clock shop while she raced around touching expensive things and saying "tick tock" while I had several heart attacks worrying about breakages!

story times at the library are great.

bobblehead LOL re expensive tick tock, My dd (16 mths) fav thing is to visit the local shop (jacksons) and run up and down their small aisle rearranging all their goodies. Must admit the cashiers tend to glare at me --- but its cheap fun.