Need help from fellow SAHM's...please!

[katriona]

i think maybe michelle is referring to something like this:

http://www.onestepahead.com/product/117/225755/117.html

this is one of the more sy versions -- i think i might get it for DS for christmas, as it would just right for him as soon as the weather warms up.

we also throw balls to each other (well, i roll it gently in his direction), turning lights on and off, opening and closing doors (DH says he'll go nuts if he hears me trill "open! close!" one more time  ), putting our hands under the taps. big time peekaboo (i.e. jumping behind and out from behind a doorframe) gets lots of giggles, as does hiding under blankets. i also lie down and pretend to be asleep, snoring really loudly. when he pats my face i startle "awake," and that makes him laugh. i also play a version of "chicken" crawling, where we crawl really fast towards each other. he ducks under my tummy, and then it's hug/tickle time. we're almost hitting the stacking and sorting phase -- he's just figured out how to tidy things away; hence i've lost both my cellphone and my watch in the past week. fortunately i found my watch in the diaper wipes box...

hope that helps a little!

[binxyboo]

This is the one we bought, a pretty basic one, but can't beat the price http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2316866&cp=2255956.2273442.2255969.2257599&parentPage=family
He loves playing with brooms, dustpans etc for long periods of time. I need to put him to work!

[Caroline-Charlies Mummy]

Do you know what, Michelle? I followed your link and thought that'd be a great present for ds - $29.99, that's about £15. Perfect I thought .

In the UK Toys R Us, can you guess how much it is?








£49.99

That's $100
Here, look http://www.toysrus.co.uk/Product.aspx/TruHome/TruOutdoorSports/TRUOutdoorandSportsSandWaterTables/720666?ref=Search.

We don't half get ripped off in this country

[Critter]

I have to agree with everyone and add that your MIL would go NUTS in my house.  I clean while Luke is strapped in his highchair.  Sometimes we'll have an unscheduled snack so that I can vacuum.  I agree that independent play is so important.  Tracy even mentions in her book that it's important from an early age.  Another thing I want to add, and it's mentioned in a post somewhere on here, that we, as SAHMs, are showing our children how to "function" in a day to day life.  I know working moms do too, but this was on a SAHM thread.  Anyway, it's important for your lo to see you cleaning, saying thank you to people at the grocery store, taking time for you, etc....

You're doing GREAT!

[Jacksmom77]

The scrapbook story made me laugh Thank you!!! I have been trying to keep up with that, and the only time I seem to be able to is at night, before bed, I catch myself dosing off in the middle of it - put it away, then the next morning I look at it & wonder what I was thinking!

Amy - that is such a good point about being a SAHM & having the lo's see you function - I never thought of that but you are right.  Especially with teaching them manners, how you treat people & all that...I am feeling so much better  

[jumblebox]

Another thing I want to add, and it's mentioned in a post somewhere on here, that we, as SAHMs, are showing our children how to "function" in a day to day life.  I know working moms do too, but this was on a SAHM thread.  Anyway, it's important for your lo to see you cleaning, saying thank you to people at the grocery store, taking time for you, etc....

Absolutely agree with this! It can have an impact on generations, if my family is any example. I KNOW that my grandma never taught my mom how to keep a house clean. She did the same thing when I used to visit her for summers. (I never had any chores there!) My mom NEVER learned how to maintain the house around a family, or delegate chores, and it's STILL a constant struggle for me to get housecleaning/organizing done. (I had it pretty well figured out when I lived alone, but along came my darling boyfriend who still can't scoot his own chair in, or remember to take out the trash - after living together for 2 years! I suspect his mom also did a lot of the household stuff when he wasn't underfoot.)

[katriona]

i think i can outdo all of you -- i just b/f DS, singing gently to him all the while.... and i was checking out BW on my laptop by using my toe!

[jenisgump]

LOL!!!!

[Brandonsmom]

Honey, you aren't doing a thang wrong!!! 
I know you have gotten a lot of wonderful advice but I had to throw in my 2 cents! 

I am just like you. I will find myself doing little chores here and there while Brandon is awake. For example, after he finishes lunch I take his bowls and stuff and clean them up. While he's still in his highchair I take just a few minutes to load the dishwasher and wipe down the counters. This gives his tummy time to settle so when we go play he won't burp or spit up a lot. When he's on the floor playing I try to get down there with him for at least 15 min. Some days it's very hard to make myself play with him if I'm not feeling well or just having a rough day. But I try to do it. I also think it is very important for LO's to be able to play by themselves. What I like to do is put Brandon in his crib with a couple of toys and turn on some soft music. This works great in the evenings when he can get a bit fussy. Now, my SIL had a pack n' play set up in another room and would put her baby in there to play by herself. She didn't want to put her in the crib because she wanted my neice to associate crib with sleep. But we've never had a problem with that. The point is you are setting up a safe environment for them to play AWAY from you. And that's ok!

If you're gut tells you that you are doing the right thing then you probably are. Give yourself a hug, being a SAHM can be difficult.

[bicah]

Jacksmom77, thank you so much for posting this. I dont have anyone telling me what i should be doing, but I do get the feelings of being neglectful if I decide to do chores here and there. I am so happy to see the responses that you got because it made me feel that it is ok to do them while my son is up and playing. I always felt that I should spend every waking minute with him, and that really isnt helping him or myself. I tend to cram everything in to his nap or after bedtime which really never leaves any me time. So thanks again for posting and all the replies.