Bored...

Am I the only SAHM that is bored? Sure, it keeps me busy a bit to feed them, change them and play with them some, but to be honest I need to be intellectually stimulated a minimum or I get bored out of my mind, and playing with 11 months old doesn't exactly qualify... I keep reading about other SAHMs who spend all their time with their babies and I just don't know how you do it...

What do you do not to be bored? It's so cold out that going out isn't really an option, but looking forward to spring...

 

TS and Facebook! :lol:

 

I don't have any suggestions for you b/c I am bored too!!!!!! I never thought i'd miss adult interaction so much....TS does help...Facebook, I'm still illerate there...i'm trying though.

 

Oh, you are not alone! I love my kids to pieces, but I definitely need more than doing mommy chores and housework and playing with <2 yr olds all day.

I read books and write and surf the web while they nap. I get up 1.5 hrs before they do so I can have breakfast in peace and read over coffee. I take them out running in the stroller (yes, even in winter). When DH is home, I make time for other things I love, like aikido and swimming. There's never enough time for everything, but feeding my soul is a top priority.

 

I started taking online classes! I still play with them whenever they are awake, but I have good nappers! Plus I go to playgroups once a week and work from home a few days a week so that keeps me pretty busy. Maybe look for a SAHM or MoMultiples groups near you?

 

This is EXACTLY why I went back to work part time (three days a week). It's the perfect scenerio. I get my adult and intellectual fix (Tues, Wed and Thurs), and then I get my baby fix Friday - Monday. It's made me a better mom because I WANT to spend more time with them when I'm home those four days.

 

Yeah I wish I could work... wouldn't make sense because it wouldn't even cover daycare. I wish I had the patience to play with them when they're awake too but I just don't, I go crazy after 10 minutes...

 

QUOTE(becky5 @ Feb 6 2009, 07:23 PM) [snapback]1178981[/snapback]
TS and Facebook! :lol:


Same here. I also go to the Mall, go for drive thru coffee, and Target!

 

Wooohoo.. I'm not alone! I spend most of my spare time cleaning, on Myspace, Facebook, and searching through endless pages of the Craigslist looking to buy useless stuff I'll probably never use :laughing:

 

I feel like I've arrived at some sort of addiction workshop here. I am also guilty of overuse of TS and facebook, and also of frequenting piperlime, amazon, and other great shopping websites where chances are I won't buy anything.

Oh yes, Targetaholic here too. I need my weekly fix. Sigh.

 

QUOTE(aandja79 @ Feb 6 2009, 07:10 PM) [snapback]1179433[/snapback]
I feel like I've arrived at some sort of addiction workshop here.


:laughing:

Just in case you all didn't know, there is a Twinstuff group on Facebook!

 

i do crosswords and play online backgammon.

 

I have a table set up in our bedroom so that I can scrapbook and sew. We have a babysitter come everyother sat morning so DH and I can both do what we want. I just started taking sewing classes. I work 2 days a week. How about working a differnet shift then your partner and let them watch the LOs? Thats how we save on childcare costs.

I think 'cold' is a mindset. Maybe if you just think about it differently. In the interior of alaska it gets -50!!! we go to twinsgroup 2x a month, I go to LLL meetings, we go to the gym, playdates with friends, potlucks, walking, errand running etc. you just got to bundle up and get out there! You'll feel so much better after the inital getting out of the house.

 

Currently.. TS Myspace, Facebook, uploading photos from the camera, Wii, or reading. Only two of those could be categorized as 'stimulating' though.. TS and reading.

I feel like I should be doing something more stimulating or something that matters, like reading old school books, lol. We really should get out of the house more ourselves, but DH takes our only car to work.. boo. We work with what we've got I guess ^_^ Hang in there. The weather will get nicer in a couple short months.

 

QUOTE(becky5 @ Feb 6 2009, 07:19 PM) [snapback]1179444[/snapback]
Just in case you all didn't know, there is a Twinstuff group on Facebook!


Really?! I had no idea. I might have to check it out [might be dangerous though, lol]

 

We joined the parenting classes at our local adult school. They are "baby and me" classes and are great for stimulating baby/babies and are also a good opportunity for adult interaction. Our local classes even offer a discount for siblings.

The other thing I did was start a playgroup - I advertised in the local mother group newsletter. We started wen my son was 6 months and we are still going strong now (he is over 2). It again provides entertainment/stimulation for the baby/babies and adult interaction. We rotate the location between each member each week. We started at peoples houses, and now visit different museums, zoos, parks, etc (depending on the weather).

 

I was interested in playgroups but can't see it working around their naps, plus we have a crazy dog and a small house so hosting is out of the question.

 

I'm so glad you posted this question. I have 5 month old twin girls and I am climbing the walls to get out!!!! By the way, I too adopted my twins - we should start a group ! I think I remember you from one of the adoption forums I go on!
Anyway, I find it's hard getting out of the house between naps and packing them up and plus my girls HATE their car seats and scream when they're in the car. So I mostly just stay home because going out is just as stressful. I did go out for a walk with the girls on Monday when it was about 50 some degrees outside - it was WONDERFUL! It was also the first time I could put them in their stroller without the carseats - they LOVED it! Occassionally my friends will come over if they have the day off. My mom also comes over alot and keeps me company.
I just found this website 2 days ago and I am soooo happy I did! I also go on adoption forums and facebook! I really don't have time to do anything other than that.

 

QUOTE(Fran27 @ Feb 6 2009, 03:04 PM) [snapback]1179079[/snapback]
Yeah I wish I could work... wouldn't make sense because it wouldn't even cover daycare. I wish I had the patience to play with them when they're awake too but I just don't, I go crazy after 10 minutes...



You know, I work in this field and you really should make more effort to play with them, even if it is boring (and I agree it can be.) Out of everything you can do for your child, playing, interacting and talking to them on a regular basis is probably as important as feeding and changing them. Even if you don't feel like it make time to get down on the floor with them and make the effort to find a local playgroup - even if your house is too small to host people will understand and children learn social skills from watching their parents interact with other adults (as well as by meeting other children.)

 

QUOTE(Fran27 @ Feb 7 2009, 02:38 PM) [snapback]1180799[/snapback]
I was interested in playgroups but can't see it working around their naps, plus we have a crazy dog and a small house so hosting is out of the question.


I have a dog and I just invite everyone with their babies into my baby corral (two superyards together) so he can't get near them. I tell them ahead of time so people who have allergies or are afraid don't come...but I've found a lot of families don't mind the dog as long as you keep them away from the babies. I put mine either outside or in his crate until everyone is in and settled and then he can come out and go into another room or whatever.

Don't worry about the size of your house. I've been to playgroups in very small apartments. Again, we just hung out in one small area anyway (like the baby corral) so it didn't matter. You could limit it to just 4 or 5 people plus kids so it's not too overwhelming. It does wonders to get out of the house or just have the adult company even in your own house. The babies love seeing other little ones, too.

 

I take mine to the library for baby rhyme time it is only for 30 mins so I can handle that. I go to the mall since I know there are parent rooms in case I need them.

I do understand when you say it gets boring though. I guess I find TS helps me to feel like I've spoken to other adults that day.

Heather

 

Oh I play with them of course, just 15-20 minutes at a time usually. I really admire the people who can spend 2 hours at a time with them, but I really just can't. I wish they could be with us in the kitchen etc so we can talk to them more but it's not possible either (the kitchen is pretty much open shelves everywhere).

For the dog the problem is that he's a jumper, so he might not jump on the babies if they're in the superyard, but he'll jump on the moms... (he's 85 lbs) and if we put him in another room, he whines and barks. And the house is small so you get deaf. Believe me, we can't even have guests over... that dog is making my life a nightmare. Without him we could probably babyproof two rooms and the hallway and have the babies roam freely there too, so i'd be with them more, but he'd just be barking the whole day in another room... Dh won't listen about rehoming him so for now I'm stuck...

 

I work part-time on the weekends. Mostly because I didn't go to school for 4 years to stop working after having kids, plus I love my job. Being a nurse, I get my adult interaction, a great break from mommy duties, and good pay. It has really helped my mental status and kept my marriage strong.

 

QUOTE
I wish they could be with us in the kitchen etc so we can talk to them more but it's not possible either (the kitchen is pretty much open shelves everywhere).


What about having them in the kitchen in their highchairs or some other baby immobilizing device like exersaucers?

 

We have no space in the kitchen for anything

 

I don't get bored with the babies but do get bored of just thinking of the routine... 6,9,12,3 bottle bath, bed, bottle and the same thing again the next day..
I do go out once a day with them and that makes a huge difference. DS is really good out, but dd hates the carseat... sometimes she
is wonderfull and falls asleep in it...other times.... I just never know how she is going to be...that stresses me out.