What do you do with them to keep them busy all day? I feel like there are only so many times to play with the same toys, read books, sing and watch baby Einstein videos. I feel like they must be bored, I know they like repitition but come on. I don't really want to invest in any new toys yet since their birthday is coming up and it is too hot out right now for walks. I try not to take them to too many stores because of germs (they are preemies). So I am just wondering. Thanks.
What I did was set up a few rooms in the house as their play areas. We have a few toys in their rooms {seperate rooms, so it is really two areas} then we have some in the kitchen and then in the family room. This way we spend some time in each, and it makes for a whole new adventure. I try and put some toys away and bring them out later, so they think it's new. In the kitchen, I have one cabinet full of tuperware, wooden spoons, anything they can play with not including toys, and let them have at it. They think they are getting away with something, and are entertained. On some really long days, I give them a bath in the middle of the day just so they can stay in longer and play. I will try and think of some more....
I played videos, they played in the floor or their walkers mostly. They were always pretty content to just play in the floor with toys. I sat with them and played, unless I was getting housework or something done.
We recently bought the Super play yard with the alphabet/numbers padded floor to go underneath (plus another cheaper padding to put under the alphabet one). All their "sit-and-play toys" are in there. I go in there with them a lot (it's a nice big space) and we spend lots of time in there together playing and reading to them. They also love to climb all over me in there. And it keeps them out of things they shouldn't be in.
QUOTE I feel like they must be bored, I know they like repitition but come on. Really, I think it's us moms who are bored out of our gourds... I know that most days I want to rip my hair out if I have to watch the same "Signing Times" show for the zillionth time. I go to bed singing the theme song. My babies go nuts for this one particular episode, though, so I play it for them every day when they wake up and have their morning bottle. Everything I have read from the "experts" in child development say that babies and toddlers really do thrive on repitition - it's actually a very normal and healthy thing. Even so, like you, I just cannot imagine that they aren't looking for something new to see and do. I try to do what Liz does - put some toys away and bring them out later. That way, at least I feel like it's something new. I think changing up the play areas is a great idea, too, if you have the space to do that.
We play on the floor alot on a blanket with several toys spread out; we jumperoo; since they are not crawling/walking yet they still love the exersaucers & bouncies; they sit at their "desk" (in bumbo chairs with a tv tray in between) and play with all sorts of toys; they sit up by the playmat and play with the toys hanging there; we read, sing, snuggle. Like the pp, I don't bring out the same toys every single day.
i take mine out for walks in the mornings and evenings since the heat is an issue here as well. they usually sleep then though. i am up around 7am with them feeding, changed and transfer into the livingroom around 7:30 so i can make our bed and clean up after the morning rush of daddy and big sister walking out the door. i play music while i do this or sing. they usually entertain themselves for about an hour to get most of this done. they get a little fussy around 8:30 so i give them a little more food, which usually knocks them out for about 2 hours. giving me time to clean more. they stay up a lot during the day too. and i jump at the chance to take them to church or other places unless they are sick. and when i leave i won't take them out of their carseats unless they need to be fed or changed. and no one is allowed to touch them unless they are family or close friends. my girls are usually in bed by 11pm until early morning. but i just let each day carry us. every day is different. Lots of love! Meshell
QUOTE(Lisala @ Sep 5 2007, 08:29 PM) [snapback]394270[/snapback] Everything I have read from the "experts" in child development say that babies and toddlers really do thrive on repitition - it's actually a very normal and healthy thing. Even so, like you, I just cannot imagine that they aren't looking for something new to see and do. I try to do what Liz does - put some toys away and bring them out later. That way, at least I feel like it's something new. I think changing up the play areas is a great idea, too, if you have the space to do that. Same here. Also I try to find little household things that are entertaining, like today I put an ice cube on their high chair to play with -- for the record I was sitting right at the table with them to supervise, but they weren't able to pick the ice cube up anyway. Or the other day I got a couple mirrors out and made "infinity babies" -- they were pretty fascinated with that.
