Keeping him busy while I am busy with baby... Help

Lauryan - posted on 01/18/2009

Jessic a- I love that idea of mixing stuff in with his favourite treats!! He used to love that as a baby, and I totally forgot about it - hehe.



And yes, I have to switch all his activities around constantly - and his toys/books/puzzles etc. Gonna have to do some serious hunting here!



Thanks again for the idea Jessica!

Jessica - posted on 01/17/2009

I will say it is probably boredom.  My son does the same thing (although I don't have any other children).  Try to get him inexpensive toys that he has never seen before and have them for when you need to feed the baby.  Put them away and rotate them.  But, it must be something he would really truely enjoy!!!!   But, be aware...you need need to buy more in a week.  This is the only way I can get a 10 minute shower as my son plays outside the shower curtain.  And once the water is shut off...he says....mama done.  And then off to pulling at my leg.  I know how frustrating it is to have a child that needs constant attention.  It drives me CRAZY!  But, I have kind of learned what will keep him busy enough for me to make a 2 minute phone call.  LOL!!!  This might be something easy for you to do and your son might like...get some dried pinto beans or anything else you can think of in a bowl and put something he really likes in it (fruit snacks, cheerios, raisans, ect).  have him go through all the beans to get his treats!  It works on fine motor skills and they think they are getting something special.  You can also try taking some wax paper pieces and rolling them up in a ball and let him throw them into a bucket.  Look online...there are a ton of things that are really fun and creative to do with the 2 year olds.  but, I must warn you...if your son is like mine...it may last a few days.  So...keep plently of ideas handy!

Lauryan - posted on 01/17/2009

thanks Deborah - you just described him. whining, crying for everything, and not talking as much any more...



*sigh* hoping they pop out soon

Deborah - posted on 01/17/2009

You know ... teething is a big deal and eye teeth can be exceptional hard for some. They were the worst for my kid she turned into such the whiner to the point that I was ready to pull my hair out. I went from having this amazing communication with her to a child that would only whine and not say anything. Talk about a 180 degree turn. So you are probably right that teething has a lot to do with it. Big hugs to him. I know it is so painful for them.

Lauryan - posted on 01/17/2009

Quoting Deborah:

On Ginger's comment I also wonder if you have included him in with doing things for the baby. Helping you change the baby by getting a diaper maybe have a special task for him when you are feeding the baby. If you are breastfeeding have him bring you a pillow to help feed and if you are bottle feeding have him help prepare the bottle. Just try to include him. My mom had my sister and I a year apart and she said she always included my older sister in the tasks and she really enjoyed it. It made her really feel included and a part of the baby's time.

he loves to help me with the baby - until he gets bored.  Then he says I must put Nathan down and come play with him, or that he needs to show me something.  Then if I ask him to help me with something, he says no and starts wrecking the place.  He will fetch the nappy and then throw it across the room - or take the pillow I am using for bfing etc.  He will take whatever books/toys I have prepared for this time and throw them away as well, and then start whining.

It's hard to know if its teething (he is cutting 4 x eyeteeth at once) or just because of boredom.

And Nathan is a fast drinker - takes me max 25/30 minutes to finish a feed - sometimes he will only drink one side and be done in 15 mins.  But still we have this ongoing issue.

Some days he is fine - and will cuddle up to me and tell me a story or we will read together, or look at his numbers or shapes or whatever else he wants to do - then it is awesome.  He asks me questions about breastfeeding and about the baby and will tell Nathan that he loves him and that when Nathan is a big boy he will teach him how to talk etc.  That's brilliant. 

But on those off days... *sigh*

Lauryan - posted on 01/17/2009

Quoting Ginger:

Have you tried getting Aiden to "feed" a favorite doll or stuffed animal while you are feeding your baby? You could encourage Aiden to sing or talk to his "baby " softly while you are doing the same with your baby!

lol- that would keep him busy for maybe 5 minutes tops...  He has a doll, who he carries around, tries to breastfeed and burp and the other day she had to go on the naughty spot... lol

since then he has kinda lost interest in her - says that she is naughty.

Deborah - posted on 01/16/2009

On Ginger's comment I also wonder if you have included him in with doing things for the baby. Helping you change the baby by getting a diaper maybe have a special task for him when you are feeding the baby. If you are breastfeeding have him bring you a pillow to help feed and if you are bottle feeding have him help prepare the bottle. Just try to include him. My mom had my sister and I a year apart and she said she always included my older sister in the tasks and she really enjoyed it. It made her really feel included and a part of the baby's time.

Ginger - posted on 01/16/2009

Have you tried getting Aiden to "feed" a favorite doll or stuffed animal while you are feeding your baby? You could encourage Aiden to sing or talk to his "baby " softly while you are doing the same with your baby!