If you are a stay at home parent and spend all day caring for your baby, the days can seem very long and often frustrating for you. There are lots of things you can do to use the time productively and feel like you have accomplished something with your day.
I have been a stay at home mom since February 2006. First to my daughter and then to both my daughter and son until she recently started nursery. I am expecting my third child later this year so I really have my hands full entertaining and teaching my brood.
I have found that reading is a firm favourite with my two, and they will often ask for stories throughout the day. We make weekly trips to the library to read together ot take advantage of storytimes provided by the staff. Don’t think that your baby is too young. It is never to early to start reading. Even the smallest baby enjoys looking at the pictures, listening to your voice and touching the pages. Choose tactile books-ones where they can feel various textures or those with flaps.
My son especially is crazy about water play. Why not have a playtime bath in the morning? Babies and toddlers love to splash about and will enjoy playing with cups, bowl or any other containers you fancy. You can even make it more interesting by adding bubbles, colourants, jelly or dropping ice cubes into the water for them to touch and feel the temperature difference.
Take advantage of baby and toddler groups in your area. Look out for music, baby massage, art, gym or soft play providers. Your baby will have fun, learn and interact with others. And you will have the chance to talk to other adults and have a break from the house.
Get dancing and singing. Babies are not critical of your voice…dance around the living room singing and playing with instruments. Get hole of action song and rhymes cd’s and have a little sing along session. They will enjoy doing the actions and you will be surprised how quickly they learn the words and get excited when they recognise a favourite.
If your baby is eating solids, have some fun getting messy with food. Pour some yoghurt or custard into a tray and hide bits of banana, strawberry or other favourite fruits . Let your little one get messy rubbing and discovering and you won’t have to worry when they put their hands into their mouths. This is also a sneaky way to introduce new flavours! Other good play foods include chopped spaghetti, rice, grated vegetables and fruit and mash potato with peas or corn hidden in it. Cornflour makes a fun gloopy batter too, and has interesting texture changes.
I do hope some of these ideas inspire you and help to make your day easier. Remember too that babies are easier to please than you think. Rolling around in a pile of laundry whilst you are doing the washing, watching you vacuum or even make beds can all be rather interesting for your little one!
I am a preschool and primary school teacher and mum to 3 children. I have been involved in education since 1997 and have trained in a variety of educational specialist areas. It is with this expertise that I write articles to help parents and educators provide quality learning experiences for the children in their care.
