Need Advice on Activities for 18 Month Old

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.

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!

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!

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!