I have a 17 month old daughter who is very independent!! I work from home 3 days a week, which is great, but I need some more activites my daughter can do while I am in our home office. She has coloring books with markers and crayons but that doesnt last vert long. Her room is next to the office so she goes in there and plays with toys, books etc. Lately she hasn't wanted to listen to me or my husband and I think it's because she's bored! I just wanted to know of any other things I can give her to occupy herself while I in the office. Thanks for all your help!
Hi there - I am also a SAHWM...i got my daughter (18 months) a play Lap Top...she pretends to be on the computer when i'm on the computer. Also, you'd be surprise how entertained they are with pots and pans and wooden spoons so they don't scratch ....just prepare yourself for the noise but it really keeps them occupied! I tell her to "cook" for me or play the "instruments" and it really works!
maybe try some easy puzzles. what may be best for her is to get a leap frog book (you know the ones that will tell them whats in the book if they put the pen on it) or try the v-tech games. she seems very bright and active. so i hope you get a lot of suggestions back! good luck!
Children this age cannot be expected to entertain themselves for long periods of time. How many hours do you work? She is only 17 months. Next, the terrible 2's will start to emerge...and this will bring on another set of scenarios to manage.
Is it possible for you to get a babysitter/Nanny for those 3 days you need to work at home???
She is not a little adult, and children this age don't even have impulse control yet. Although they manage, children need some sort of supervision, for safety sake. She will get more mobile and do more things and need more as she hits 2 years old and thereafter.
I know it's not easy... with Work at home moms, this is what we contend with. Me, I work or do my own things when my boy is napping, like now, or at night once he and my girl are sleeping. Then I'm all his when he wakes up. He's 20 months and very active, so this is what I do. It's a lot of juggling.
There can be toys all over the place and things for them to do...but they will not be entirely self-directed at this age. Even when they are older. They will get "bored" and need interaction.
The only thing that can help, is having an extra body and extra pair of hands in the house when you need to work. My friend got a Nanny for this reason as well. She works out of the home too.
Good luck and take care,
~Susan
www.cafepress.com/littlegoogoo
First I say good for you at trying to stay at home and work from there! I would I wish I could completly do that. I do have to agree about the leapfrog toys!!! I LOVE them, my oldest son was about 18 mo whe we got into the leapfrom line (wish we had sooner) we got him a stuffed frog toy that you could put the cartridges in and it tells stories etc.. you can even personalize parts with your voice and their name in it. Anyhow kids love simple things too, I know my youngest son can be entertained for quite a while with a box of tissue..it's so magical to him how they keep comnig out! :)Sometimes I will loosly wrap one of his current toys in tisue paper, and it is so fun for him to unwrap and get a suprise..sounds simple but he likes it.. and it does allow hm to entertain him slef for a bit. But I really would look into the leapfrog toys...they are excellent! Good luck!
Try simple household items from time to time-tupperware, spoons, socks, pots and pans if you can take the noise, crunchy papers, cotton balls & tongs.
