Moms of Only One, How Do You Keep Them Entertained?

I found a really great book at the library called "The Toddler Busy Book". It is full of hundreds of activities to keep toddlers busy. It is also available for $10.99 on Amazon. I just bought the preschoolers addition for my 3yr old.

Also, it may help to include him in what chores you have to do. I think at that age they really want to help.

Hi-I have been having this problem lately as well. My daughter is 22 months and I try to keep busy and break up the days with going out to do stuff. Especially because we live in WI where its getting too cold to go outside-and we used to go to the park or for a walk twice a day.
Now, I take my daughter to a local play group once a week for starters for a few hours. Check out your local community centers for such groups. Ours has a large room with tons of toys and books and the moms drink coffee and the kids run around. Another morning a week I take her to an open gym which is great fun and exercise. Once a week Grandma comes to take care of her while I clean the house, run errands, and escape to read or shop awhile. We go to the library too-check yours out for a play area, a story time or other activities.
I also work out, and they have a daycare there where we get a break for an hour or so a few times a week. these activities break up the day for us. When we're home we have meals and snacks, read, color, watch Tv or a video. I try to re-arrange and /or hide and then take out her toys again she can re-discover them.
And then, besides all these things, there is alot of time where there is nothing to do. She finds her own stuff to play with, and I try to keep up and be patient, or let us be bored once in awhile. It's really hard sometimes! Good luck, I hope this stuff helps,
DE

I can't say I have any answers but I can certainly empathize. I find myself going crazy often. It' really hard especially now that they are so interactive and prefer to play with others.

We took some ECFE classes and that was my sanity. At least till the class was finished, LOL

With winter here there are less things to do in general. I found some activity books at the dollar store and those along with some stickers kept my daughter busy for small stretches on rainy days. HOwever, supervision is key (my poor refrigerator?!)

God have mercy on us during this cold snap. All we really can do is be creative and support one another.

Hugs!

I have a 5yr.old only child and sometimes it's so hard when they have noone to play with.

When my daughter was two she was in daycare which helped tremendously. Without daycare and me working I think we would have gone nuts.

If your a stay at home mom I would try and go somewhere everyday or everyother day. Go to a playgroup, library time, indoor playlot at the mall etc. Just keep busy, and socialize alot.

When you are home and have given your son alot of attention and need to get something done or just need some mom time let your son know. "Mommy has to pay bills, you will have to go do whatever and I will come play in 10min."

I tell my daughter every night when I'm on the computer or watching tv this is MY TIME, I'm a mom all day and I NEED my own time. She get's upset but it's to bad because this is the only time I get to myself a whopping 1/2 hour or whatever.

My daughter has nearly every toy she's ever wanted and is spoiled. She hardly touches her toys I learned that awhile ago there is no magic toy that keeps them busy for a long time.

I've learned to do alot of things with her side by side, I pay bills, she colors. I'm cooking she's helping with odds and ends in the kitchen. I'm watching tv , she's sitting next to me reading her books or watching with me. I'm folding laundry she's right there with me helping. The older my daughter gets the easier it is getting, she is pretty content as long as she is in the same room as I. If I'm on the computer in my bedroom she'll come in and sit on my bed with her toys for long periods of time and play but is content because I'm right there, if I get up she follows me like velcro. If I take a bath she begs to come in to and I tell her no I need to relax you can take your bath next and she'll find a activity to do sitting on the bathroom floor. I don't have any privacy but that beats trying to play 24/7 with a 5 yr. old. It's like we've neogotiated. We're also very busy on the go type of people and she loves that. I give her plenty of attention but have also put my foot down and shown her I need my own time too. We take alot of turns, she'll have to do something boring like going to a appointment I have but in return I'll take her to a chuckie cheese or McDonalds playland when were done. Were kinda like a team. It's just the two of us my daughter and I so we do alot of stuff together that we can both enjoy. I know it's harder when they're two but when they get older you can go to movies and out to dinner etc. and both enjoy doing the same activity. I just took my daughter to Buckhill to go snow tubing it was both our first times and we both had a blast, I had to let my inner child inside myself out and it was a blast.

Before my daughter started kindergarten I had her involved in swim lessons, tumbling, teeball, soccer, preschool it seems like alot and was usually only one or two activites going on a time but that also helped especially with her socializing and keeping busy. We did most of this through our YMCA which was a lifesaver. When she got to kindergarten she had no seperation anxiety and did really good.

Just keep your little guys day on a schedule and make it interesting as you can with lots of different things to go see, or explore or do. A variety of activities helps alot. The hardest part for me was winter time being cooped up in the house. Summertime is a breeze she runs around with all the kids outside and I simply sit and watch.

Good luck I promise it gets easier with age.

I take my son to Gymboree classes and open gym. He is an only child who enjoys being around other kids. We go to the Zoo, or the playgorund at the park, and hoping to start story time at the library when he is a little older. my son enjoys looking at books and being read to.

I actually have two children but my oldest is gone all day to school leaving me alone with my 2 year old. My daughter loves puzzles and books and they can keep her entertained for awhile. Leap Frog has many nice interactive toys. We like the fridge phonics lately, but she even likes the older toys like the globe and leap pads. Fisher Price among other websites have some cute online games for small children that they can do themselves. Good luck!

I agree with the previous post. I have a 21 month old, and we usually try to leave the house every morning, especially in the winter. We have a zoo membership, which is great. Como zoo is free, and toddler story time at the local library or local Barnes and Nobel are great. Choo Choo Bob's is a store in St. Paul with a fun play area.

feel free to email me for more suggestions.

I definitely agree with the previous suggestions. My daughter and I try to leave the house everyday for a few hours in the morning. We typically go to an ECFE class, open playtime or the library. Even just heading to Target for a few hours helps to break up the day. After lunch we play for a short time or read and then off to nap (If I'm lucky it's until my husband gets home!)
I recently saw a suggestion on how to help toddlers tell time since to them hearing "give me ten more minutes" means very little... Cut out a picture (doesn't matter what-- could be from a book he no longer uses etc..) apply sticky tape to the back and apply it to a large clock. You can then use it to reference time. For example say "When the big hand gets to the "bear" you can come get Mommy... otherwise play here until then."
Good luck!

If your climate permits, outside, outside, outside. Walks are not only good for you, but they allow the little ones to explore. Plus they are a great way to burn off extra energy after lunch and before nap time. Also, if your public library has a children's section it's a great way to meet other moms, and for your child to interact with other children under your supervision.

I have a almost 3 yr old only child(son). He too wants me every minute of the day. I have only found that making him stay in his room for a 1/2 hour so I can have 30 minutes w/out him at me. I tell him he has to stay or he will be in trouble. This forces him to play on his own, and learn some independance. Hope it works for you!

I have the same problem. My son turned 2 in November and is an only child. I constantly hear, "Mama play? Mama play?" I try to take mini-breaks with him throughout the day, for only about 15 minutes at a time, then I leave him to play by himself. It works about half the time. I also try to keep him busy with toddler classes that are offered through the Park District (ECFE would be another option). It gives him social time and tires him out, at least a couple of days per week. I'm now pursuing playdates, keeping in mind that my relationship with the other mother is just as important. (I'm 37 years old, married, and trying to work at least 10 hours per week from my home). I live in SW Mpls. We can always try a playdate together if you're interested. I moved here in April '06, and I don't know a lot of people yet.