Interacting with 10 month old

[koalaoala85]

I’m feeling a bit like a bad mother today. My LO (10 months) is a very happy baby who is content to sit and play with his toys. He’s not yet mobile but if I surround him with toys, he’ll entertain himself for ages.

I know this sounds like a dream scenario but I feel like I’ve become a lazy mother and should be interacting with him more. We do lots of things together like swimming, baby groups, going to the park etc, but when we’re at home, I feel like I should be actively playing with him/teaching him new skills. I don’t know how to do this though. I end up just moving some toys around for him or playing peekaboo.

What can I do to interact with him? How can we “play” together? I really feel a bit lost with it all and really want to make the most of my time with him before I return to work soon.

You don't necessarily need to be doing specific educational activities with him. Just chatting to him about what you are doing everyday is great, pop him in his high chair in the kitchen whilst you're cooking or sit him on the floor with a saucepan and wooden spoon to bang and just chat to him, tell him what you are doing, give him an opportunity to babble back and "take part" in the conversation.
If you are sorting laundry, talk about the clothes, colours etc, if you are shopping, chat about what you are buying etc.

This sort of chatter doesn't come easy to everyone, but it's just as helpful for babies development as play activities.

Honestly, what you're doing sounds fine. If you're doing a few activities, chatting to him on the way round the shops, pointing at things and naming them, explaining little chores as you do them, he is getting plenty of development from that. Being able to entertain oneself/be comfortable alone is a valuable skill and I think it can be an issue of they aren't left alone to play for a while to be honest. Sounds like you have the balance right.

What you're doing sounds fine. Honestly if Baby will be entertained by toys then foster that don't take it away. My DS will not play alone, never has - I've had to find a childminder who is very willing to constantly play with him because he wouldn't have settled in a nursery having to entertain himself

Think it it this way, you're giving little one great skills that will be really useful

I agree with previous posters - sounds like he is getting loads of high quality input plus a bit of independence.

Two ideas if you do want to do a bit more / something else with him - number one is books! Read loads and loads together with him if you're not already. Also I found babycentre really useful for activity suggestions each month. Some really simple, usually cheap or free, ideas on there to develop new skills etc.

I feel just the same OP. My DS is 10 months too and will happily play alone, we go to plenty of groups but at home I'm a bit lost. He also loves the tv so I'm also worried he'll get square eyes!

Glad to hear though that general chit chat is about as good as it gets, we're quite good at that and he loves supermarket shopping, watching me in the kitchen etc.

Would love to share any activity ideas though!