Need Advice on Activities for 18 Month Old

Updated on February 11, 2009
A.R. asks from Dallas, TX
4 answers

Hey Mommas,
I really need some good advice. First of all, I do not want any responses for those of you who feel the TV is a terrible thing b/c I am not one of those mothers who just sits her child in front of the TV all day. She watches one or two shows per day which are either Elmo or Baby Signing Time. With all of this said, she LOVES Elmo and Baby Signing Time and would watch it all day long if I let her. How do you other mom's regulate this w/o causing a huge fight? I am also curious what all you guys do with your time all day. We read books, pretend play, play with toys, play outside, look at flash cards, go run errands... but I feel like she is getting bored. She is the kind of child that will not play alone and I have to be constantly entertaining her. I guess this may be normal for children her age, but I don't know what to do. I am a first time mom and I guess I am just down on myself right now b/c I want to be a good mom. This is a bunch of stuff... but if anyone could give me some advice on what works for them, I would be so grateful. I just need a boost of confidence right now and I know this is a great place to get it.

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J.S.

answers from Dallas on

I have an 18 month old little girl myself. While I am lucky in some sense that she doesn't really care for TV (I have tried in a pinch a couple of times when I really needed to get some things done, yesterday was the very first time she ever watched it for more than a minute or so) I think you just have to keep enforcing what you know is right. Let her watch a set amount of time then turn it off, pick her up, and go play somewhere else.
As to what to do all day...your day sounds like mine. My daughter is just now getting to the point where she will play some on her own. I personally get bored during those days where we have nothing scheduled. My daughter does mother's day out twice a week plus my gym on fridays. I just figure it goes with the age/stage she is at. I don't have much advice for you. I just wanted to say, I'm in the same spot as you.

P.W.

answers from Dallas on

sounds like you are doing everything right A.. We all get bored sometimes and you seem to be doing your best to keep your child busy. I also am not against the t.v. My husband and I love movies and enjoy our t.v. shows. We learn alot that way, so why not your child?

See if you can teach her to play alone a bit. set her up with playdoh at a little table. If you stand by her to keep her safe, I used to let my little boy stand on a chair at the kitchen sink and play with tupperware in the sink with water. He loved it! But you do have to stay by to keep her from falling and of course never near water alone.

All in all sounds like you have a busy day doing everything right. It's okay for your little girl to have down time too.......and a nap!

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D.S.

answers from Dallas on

Try Boomerangs in Flower Mound or Paradise Pond in Grapevine (it's part of a church, I don't remember which). I too struggle with trying to keep an 18 month old entertained--I try to take him out a couple times a week to different activities like those I mentioned. Also, you really should consider join a playgroup. There is probably a MOMS Club or MOPS group in our area. I LOVE my MOMS Club!

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K.S.

answers from Dallas on

My girls would watch TV all day if I let them, as well! :) What I try to do is watch TV at the same time each day, so it fits in the routine and they know when we watch TV and when we don't. Now...they ask for it, but I just say "it isn't TV time, it's X time" Example - they watch part of Sesame Street during breakfast and then watch another video before bed, so they expect when it falls. It just seems to help them know what they should be doing.

It sounds like you are a good mom and pay a lot of attention to her. My twins are almost 3 but I distinctly remember 18 months being a tough age b/c they don't want to be left alone! :) I found that if I would put kid music on and get them playing with something, that I could sometimes step out for a bit and they would keep playing - maybe they liked the music? Also, they loved their sand table and it still keeps them busy for hours so I can talk on the phone, pay bills, etc. on the porch while they are busy with that.

Hang in there!

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