Schedule Advice?

Brittany - posted on 06/23/2009

Thanks for the ideas. We just moved and our new area has none of the Mom's groups I was used to at our old house. She has so much independence, that I do feel guilty by not playing with her (getting her used to having other people around). Thanks for the ideas about lunch... I'm picky about food for her as well, so that's a great idea!

Allison - posted on 06/22/2009

Have you looked into playdates with other moms in your area. Check out Meetup.com - - I found a great Moms group local to me through that website. And it is o.k. to let her play solo in the afternoon. Don't feel guilty about that. If anything she'll develop more self confidence and independence. I work from home myself and I have to put in 4 hours each day. I have to put her in the family room (which I can see from where I sit) and she has learned to entertain herself for long stretches. I of course get in my floor time with her several times each hour but it's not unusual for her to play for 20 minutes on her own.. .

Stephanie - posted on 06/22/2009

I'm a teacher so I'm staying home with our daughter 2 days a week. We are taking swim classes together! There is an organization in town that teaches kids as young as 6 months. It's a class in which the parent gets in the pool with the child. It's pretty fun to see her progress through the stages, although I felt a bit mean the first few times, before she became more comfortable. Since we have been fortunate enough to have friends in the class, we have gone out to lunch after class too. Lunch is still at the same time and order (immediately following swimming) but out with friends, with new people-watching (she's a natural).



The other thing I do (which might involve a bit too much planning if home w/ her every day) is to plan a lunch she can "help" make. Granted, I'm a bit overboard about food and it's preparation sometimes, but I plan ahead by having some cold pasta, leftover meat, and/or pre-steamed veggies in the fridge so I don't have to worry about scalding her draining hot water, or using sharp knives. Or, something as simple as mixing berries with yoghurt - I just do it a little more slowly because I do it one-handed with her on my hip (she's on sling strike) but she seems to enjoy the different view of the world and knows we'll sit down an eat lunch together after our time in the kitchen.



Friends of mine who are SAHMs plan play-dates (they met through an infant music lesson), go to the zoo in groups, or simply go walking together in someone's neighbourhood.