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Parents of 6 month olds (ish)

8 replies

Idontknow13 · 10/06/2018 20:08

I’ve got a lovely 6 month old baby boy, he is generally a contented baby and is happy to sit in his bouncy chair / under his play gym for periods of time.

During the day if we are not out and about, and also during the evening when we are home, I feel anxious (I’m an anxious person anyway) because I worry I’m not doing enough with him. I will sit with him playing with toys on his play mat, or read short books to him. Sometimes I play music to him and sing silly songs / talk to him. At bed time I read stories before bed. I feel guilty because he is so contented to sit on me, or in his chair, that I worry that he’s getting bored. Or that I have the tv on too much. Or sometimes I look at my phone (try not to use it too much when he’s awake) and I look up to see him looking at me. I feel guilty about that.

I’m wondering if this is general anxiety or ‘mum guilt,’ or whether other parents generally do more with their babies? Do you have the tv on, watch programmes of your own, when the baby is awake? Obviously nothing scary or x rated lol! He will sit on my lap and look at the tv.

I don’t know if I’m explaining it very well, hope you understand what I’m trying to say!

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
buzz91 · 10/06/2018 20:17

My dd is 6 months tomorrow, my dh works away in the week, no family near by and my friends all work full time, and I don’t attend any classes. I often feel guilty that she only really gets my mug to look at, but she’s developing fine and when we do do things she can often get very overstimulated. My days are like yours tbh, I watch tv, she plays by herself (activity mat or just rolling about gumming on toys) or I sit playing with her while watching the tv. She doesn’t like sitting on me for long, she lets me know she’s bored and wants to do something else. Your ds would let you know if he was bored by what you’re doing with him, sounds like he’s happy with what you get up to!

Kittykat93 · 10/06/2018 20:22

I used to worry about this loads and still do occasionally! I have a 7 month old ds. I often watch tv and just give him a few toys to play with. He loves bouncing in his jumparoo now which allows me to get on with other things instead of having him on my lap constantly. The way I see it, if he was bored he would let you know by crying. Try and get out for some fresh air every day if you can. As long as you make time to play and interact, it's perfectly fine and healthy for them to amuse themselves while you do things you want to do, so don't feel guilty ! Smile

Idontknow13 · 10/06/2018 20:23

Thanks buzz. My ds can also get overstimulated by classes and too much activity, he seems happier at home. I’m glad to hear that what we get up to is normal. He also seems to be developing as he should so that’s the main thing.

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Idontknow13 · 10/06/2018 20:24

Thanks kitty kat, it’s so easy to feel guilty when you’re a parent isn’t it! I will try and get out with the pram a bit more :)

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Lazypuppy · 10/06/2018 23:00

Tv is pretty much always on, always has been so LO is watching boxsets with me while i'm on maternity 😅

I don't really worry too much at this age as she'll spend 20mins playing with her dummy trying to get it in her mouth, or playing with her feet. Easily amused!

Caterina99 · 11/06/2018 15:29

Enjoy it while you can. My DS is nearly 3 and is constantly pestering me to play dinosaurs or something else really boring for me. DD is 7 months and is perfectly happy to just watch and roll about with some toys.

EssentialHummus · 11/06/2018 15:37

I have a nine month old. I don’t watch tv/have the tv on when she’s around - I don’t want it to be a passive thing on in the background, and tbh I’d rather she not be exposed to tv yet. The rest of my day sounds like yours - I’ll read to her, sit near her and get her started on various toys, sing songs, more recently we’ve started heading to the park in the afternoon so she can watch the other children. The great thing with babies is that if they’re not happy they’ll tell you! Sounds like you’re doing fine.

Namechange128 · 11/06/2018 15:49

Totally normal mum guilt I think!
We all look at our phones sometimes, and it's good for them to entertain themselves a bit or just watch while you cook or do some chores (soon they will 'help' and it's so much more work! Wink) I don't like having the TV on much once they're past the first few months, there's a lot of research to show that it doesn't distract the child so much but does distract the carer. Even if he's not into groups, can you head out into the garden for a bit or to a local park? You can chill out with a cold drink or just enjoy the sun while he looks about - in a few months once the weather is grim and he is clambering everywhere you will definitely miss the summer! Also does he like a sling? If you have one with decent back support (not a baby Bjorn!) they are great at this age, DDs spent a lot of their first 6 or so months strapped on while I'd go for walks, or do things round the house, dd1 especially was much happier there than in the pram.

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