Obviously, you aren’t sitting around twiddling your thumbs with a baby under one, but how much of your time is spent doing something fun with your munchkin? Truth be told, you spend more time on tasks in those first months then any other time in their life. Let’s face it, kids are a lot of work: feeding, changing, rocking, consoling, bathing, playing, putting to sleep; repeat!! During these tasks you are naturally doing some of the less mundane: smiling, talking, singing, tickling, cuddling, playing etc. but every mom gets bored (and lonely) sometimes! Most mothers do find it somewhat exciting to engage the kiddos in baby games but sometimes we need a different type of diversion. Here is a list of possibilities to explore when you are going stir crazy at home with a baby:
- Visit a pet store, zoo, aquarium, farm or anywhere you know animals are visible! You don’t have to spend a dime if you get creative. Young children are generally mesmerized by any animal or critter; furry-slithery-jumpy-sticky, it doesn’t matter. This can even help those children overcome some of their fears (moms too).
- Go to the Farmer’s Market in your area and make chit chat. You’d be surprised how many of those farmers LOVE babies and will do some entertaining for you. If you network well, you may even befriend a local farmer who would invite you to see their animals and share some bounty. Plus, you get to shop local and make new friends. Win-win!
- Along the same lines, find a garden center to walk around and distract your protégé. The colors alone can be captivating enough. Even if plants, animals, farms etc. aren’t your thing-your baby will be calm and quiet (in most instances), taking the pressure off you to keep entertaining with the same toys at home.
- Find a construction site with many moving parts. Seriously, it works like a charm. An hour or less watching all different working trucks do “cool” things is plenty of time for a little one. You can even stay in your car in some instances. Make sure you are in a safe zone and be mindful of excessive noise. While baby is mesmerized (in his car seat) you can take this opportunity to make that phone call, read a book, listen to music, relax a little or share in his delight.
- Get involved in a local YMCA or the like. A place that caters to families always has more to offer and for various ages. A swim, music, art or exercise class together can be fun for you both. Or take advantage of the FREE babysitting and give yourself an hour of exercise alone. By the way, if you don’t think you can afford to join one of these great places, think again. There are scholarships and bartering in almost all family centered places. In most cases they will help you.
- Check out a local park for other parents looking for adult conversation. Find a place that others gather with children (even if your baby is too little for the swings) and sit on the benches, picnic blanket or take walks through the excitement. When babies aren’t quite sitting up yet, you may feel silly but believe me those mothers were once feeling isolated and bored too (and some still do). More than likely, they are secretly applauding you for getting out with the baby. Remember to dress for the occasion, have a stroller and baby carrier with you, bring diapers & wipes, change of baby clothes and bottles if you aren’t breastfeeding, don’t forget yourself: bring lots of water and food for a picnic where appropriate.
- Explore the great outdoors! Sometimes just changing scenery is enough to liven up your day. Even babies get bored of the same toys and walls. Take a walk or hike with baby to show him nature. They understand more than you think. Talk about what you see, feel and do as if baby is your BFF. If you do this often enough, baby will learn to anticipate this exciting adventure together. Fresh air, sunshine, mother nature and exercise are a recipe for happiness!
- Join a mommy and me or playgroup. This can be free or a by membership but should involve age related kids and mothers looking for companionship. They can be run by a church, venue for kids (bounce place, art studio, gym etc.), pediatrician office, hospital, local mom looking for friends, park, school, yoga studio, library etc. There are countless online mom groups but that won’t help you have fun! Reach out to the online moms if they are local and form your own face to face group.
- Go to Storytime at your local library or bookstore (yes, they still have some of them)! Babies just sit on your lap and you get to meet other moms and babies! The librarian reads the stories and you can enjoy that your baby is calm and entertained by all the people and talking. You’ll be encouraging a life of books, learning and libraries for the future too.
- Any shopping center or mall can be stimulating enough. Even if you have no money to spend, there is no reason you couldn’t window shop. Maybe you can eat a snack or have coffee while baby is engrossed in all the activity! Either way, if shopping is your thing take advantage of delighting your munchkin too!
This list is an incomplete guide to getting you out of the house so you can feel alive again, especially those early months. It’s an isolating and confusing time emerging out of your cocoon into motherhood! Mixed emotions of loving your baby and missing your old life as you knew it. No matter how much time, energy, love and money you put into planning for this baby that you spend 24/7 with, you will still have times where you question, “What was I thinking?” It’s ok, that’s why we made this list for you to find ways to bring blood flow back to your brain and muddle through the darkness. You are not alone! I promise the clouds get lifted and you will find your “mommy shine” before you know it.
Happy Parenting!
