What Should I Be Doing with My 7 Month Old?

L.,
You can't be playing too much with him. You can't be holding him too much - unless he is objecting and wants to get down on his own. He will learn to play independently. Sooooon enough. Enjoy every moment especially if he's going to be your only one. Dad needs to do the same, but you can't make someone do that.

Good luck, any questions just let me know,
M.

Dear L.,

You sound like an extraordinary, fantastic mom. I think whatever you're doing is probably perfect for your son's temperament, just from the way you phrased your request.

There are different schools of thought on how much parents should emphasize attachment vs. how much they should cultivate independent exploration. But as long as his day involves some balance between face-to-face contact, independent exploration, and shared looking ("look -- a doggy!"), then the percentage of time spent in each activity probably isn't significant. You can let that fluctuate from day to day, or according to his responses.

I also think chances are very good that you've intuitively observed a social temperament in your son, and you're giving him lots of social time because that's what he responds to. That's wonderful! Just be prepared for him to have 10 million friends tromping through the house for the next 15 years or so, LOL.

Hi, I have a 11-month-old and I think it is important for them to have independent time to play and discover. I put my daughter on a blanket surrounded by her toys and books and I stay close by, unloading the dishwasher or folding laundry and talk to her while she explores her surroundings. Listen to your gut and play with him when you think he needs you and let him explore when he is in that kind of mood.

Independent play time is just as important as interactive time. Teaching him how to entertain himself will pay-off in the long-run. When my little guy was in this phase we put lots of bright toys around him to encourage him to reach for things and crawl towards them. He also loved his exersaucer at this age for the same reason- he could explore on his own and was safe.

Do you like to read or do you have a hobby? Now may be the time to get back into it.

You can give you guy some time on his own while giving yourself some time as well.

I use to let my kids play alone as much as possible. They need to learn to entertain themselves, otherwise they will expect you to entertain them all the time. And no matter how me may like to it's just not possible. Let him play alone while you make dinner, or clean house. They learn from playing alone just as much as when you play with them.

play with him TONS!!! it goes so fast..you can never ever spend too much time with your baby. dont stress over it! just enjoy your little bundle of love!

Ii dont think you can spend too much time playing and holding you child! But with that said they do need alone time to play and try things out on their own to foster their own independance and learning. My 5 month will amuse himself when I check the inernet, do laundry and sometimes cook (which I am just finding the time to do again)My baby likes to sit in highchair or swing and watch me cook and fold laundry, clean etc., while teething on a toy etc ...or on a matt etc. So with those house activities I need to do it is enough alone play time for him. You know what feels right!

Hi L.,
It's good for him to know that you are there, but it's good for him to play by himself as well. My first born, now 11yrs old, being the first one I spent as much time as I possibly could with him, playing, holding him and watching TV. Now he doesn't like to watch TV by himself, he likes the company. He is a little too dependent on me. So from my experience I would say, give him more time by himself. I did that with the other two and they are not as dependent on me as him. I hope this helps.

It's just as important to let them be "free" as it is to play with them. I used to prop my little guy up on the floor with toys all around him, put some music on, and he'd love to just sit there and explore his stuff. Plus- you need a little break sometimes too! :) That being said, it sounds like you're a wonderful Momma who's just enjoying her baby boy. Keep at it!
L.

play with him all you want.. they grow so fast. make sure you read a little to him each day too.. and show him the pictures.. of say a duck... a dog, a car... also do clap hands, wave bye bye, peek a boo... it's all fun.. do so big.. and hold his hands over his head.. and say soooo big.. tickle his little belly.. and just have fun..