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Parenting

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Original poster

How do you entertain a 13month old???

27 replies

Wilkie · 16/02/2008 18:01

Am really struggling at the moment with ideas of how to entertain him. The days are endless when I am on my own with him. Here's what I do...

Play in garden with a ball
Go to pet shop to look at animals
Go into town
Go round supermarket
Read books
Occassionally watch INTG DVD (I don't like TV)
Play with his toys

Has anyone got any other ideas???? He is VERY active, has been walking since he was 9.5months and gets bored easily.

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spicemonster · 16/02/2008 18:04

Take him to the park? Swings and slides?

If you're on your own with him all the time, do you go to soft play areas or mother and toddler music groups?

Original poster

Wilkie · 16/02/2008 18:05

We go to park (forgot off list!)

Music group sounds good

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msappropriate · 16/02/2008 18:05

try not to entertain him too much. I made that mistake with my number one son and he finds it hard to entertain himself. Number 2 gets ignored far more and is much better at just emptying the safe kitchen cupboards/playing with his toys etc

but you can

go swimming
do the washing up/play with water
drawing with big crayons
toddler groups (they love other children)
soft play area (if there is as under twos secion)
library
music/singing class
parks-playgrounds if hes walking

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MrsCarrot · 16/02/2008 18:06

I think that is, unfortunately, the full repertoire of things to do with a one year old, Wilkie!

Some days are very boring. Can you wear him out at the park for a bit, or do some classes then time his nap for afterwards so you get that break?

It is hard when you have a child that isn't happy to play on their own. Maybe it would help if you had more people around with a baby that age then they could play together?

spicemonster · 16/02/2008 18:08

There's baby bounce at my local library (free) so that's always good. Or do you know any other mums that you can go out for a cup of tea with? My DS always seems perfectly happy in a caff in a high chair as he likes looking around him and seeing what's going on.

Original poster

Wilkie · 16/02/2008 18:10

I do ignore him to an extent but he HATES it if I go and do something else i.e. washing up, putting washing in, cleaning - he wants to be INVOLVED all the time!!!

My BF has a LO the same age but I only get to spend one day a week with her as we both work part time.

I haven't been able to find another 'nice' toddler group. I know I sound like a snob but the other mum's aren't my kind of people IYSWIM

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Original poster

Wilkie · 16/02/2008 18:11

Spice - part of the prob is that he won't sit still for five minutes and gets frustrated in a highchair!

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MrsCarrot · 16/02/2008 18:12

I would look into baby music, or baby gym or something. At least its different and you might meet some people you hit it off with better.

I have only been to Mother and Toddler once. I was bored stiff. The library here do some baby mornings and there are various classes around.

MrsCarrot · 16/02/2008 18:13

do you have a pot cupboard that he can pull stuff out of while you wash-up/cook etc?

BroccoliSpears · 16/02/2008 18:14

There are so many different groups about - keep trying til you find one that fits.

Also, getting together with other mums with the same aged children passes the day.

msappropriate · 16/02/2008 18:15

I tired tons of groups before I found one I liked. But try going to one anyway and if you don't want to talk just sit and drink tea and read a paper for a break!

I found regular classes better for making contacts cos it was the same people every week so you were more likely to talk.

what about a mumsnet meet up locally?

Have you tried to give him a cloth for cleaning or pretend version of what you have (toy dustpan and brush or something). Its worth a shot.

MaeWest · 16/02/2008 18:16

Round here there are NCT 'coffee' mornings. You don't have to be an NCT member to attend, they are just tea & biccies round someone's house. Good chance to meet other parents, and your DS gets to mix with other children.

DS is now 18 months old and it is getting easier to entertain him. However, I do work 2 days a week so don't have to be with him all the time, appreciate that must be more difficult. We do a swimming lesson once a week, that DS loves (also knackers him out nicely for his nap ), toddlers sometimes, storytime at the library is good, park all the time.

spicemonster · 16/02/2008 18:17

I would try different places. I've never been to a conventional mother and toddler group but the baby bounce at the library is terribly middle class

Mine did used to get really annoyed if I went off and did the washing up etc but he's got a bit better - I just kept on doing it and eventually he got better at amusing himself. He's only 11 months though so it could all go horribly wrong in a few months' time

needmorecoffee · 16/02/2008 18:18

TV, fruit shoot and some sausage rolls....

needmorecoffee · 16/02/2008 18:18

What coffee mornings Maewest. Any near me?

MrsCarrot · 16/02/2008 18:19

sometimes I turn the hoover on and he sits there clicking the handle up and down while I wash up, and I have one cupboard and drawer where he throws everything out and when he goes to bed I throw it back in.

Then, the park, and the park, oh and the park!

msappropriate · 16/02/2008 18:21

some leisure centres/shopping centres/private gyms have creches. Maybe worth it for an occssional treat?

MaeWest · 16/02/2008 18:24

Will have to check nmc - I'm on an email list for a Whitehall/St George one, but think there are one's all over the city.

MaeWest · 16/02/2008 18:27

msappropriate · 16/02/2008 18:29

for other classes look on your council website and netmums and church hall notice boards, as well as google for the big chains of classes. Not sure if these are just in Lonson - perform, gymboree, crechendo. Have even seen footie and tennis classes for tots, soccer tots and teddy tennis.

MrsBadger · 16/02/2008 18:35

treasure basket
playdough
singing (get a cd)

have you a surestart centre near you? they often have drop-in sessions for things like messy play that are difficult to do at home

alfiesbabe · 16/02/2008 18:47

Sounds like you're doing quite a bit already. At this age, it does tend to be fairly repetitive! I found coffee mornings bored me rigid, but maybe a toddler group with a bit of a focus - eg music, toddler gym (as he's active). I was only at home on maternity leaves so it wasnt a permnanent state, but i found once the warmer weather arrived everything was 100% easier. Water play, action painting in the garden - you name it, we did it. Oh and kitchen stuff is good as well, get him to help make the dinner - even if its just banging a few pots around.

Original poster

Wilkie · 16/02/2008 20:04

Thanks for all the tips. Think I am having a particularly bad week. Sometimes I enjoy my three days at work more than being with him on my own which makes me feel guilty!

We do have a Surestart Centre near me but it is on quite a rough estate (god I sound SUCH a snob) and they are not my kind of people AT ALL.

I will have a look at the link though - thank you.

I guess it is only a few months till summer - I have a water/sand table/paddling pool/play house at the ready

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pistachio · 16/02/2008 20:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Flibbertyjibbet · 16/02/2008 20:23

When ds1 was this age I was pg again and very tired. (and back at work). We did a lot of what others have suggested, but when I got tired afternoons I used to get out his big remote control car,I used to lie on the sofa and chase him round the room with it or pin him in the corner by the window! He loved it and would run about the room for hours being chased by or chasing it.
I always went out to where there were other mums and children, we both got bored if we were at home just with each other.
Oh or have another baby, now that mine are 3 and 1 I hardly need to do anything to entertain them, just referee.

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