Your Help Is Requested
Our daily routine generally includes a 45–60 minute walk in the stroller. The babies seem to really like it: they either doze peacefully or stare in fascination at the sights in the out-of-doors. We live in a really wonderfully walkable neighborhood, so it’s generally a pleasure for whoever’s pushing them along, too.
It doesn’t hurt that it kills an hour during the otherwise grim march from their last nap of the day to bedtime.
The problem is that we’re entirely at the mercy of the weather. When it rains, we don’t go for a walk, and when we don’t go for a walk, we’re all stuck in the house. Getting out and about is good for them, and it’s good for their caretaker. (Me.)
So: suggestions on things to do with the babies when a walk isn’t possible? Preferably that can be accomplished with a baby-to-parent ratio of about 2:1?
Filed under Parenting | Tags: advice, rain, stroller | Comments (10)10 Responses to “Your Help Is Requested”
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How about the library? I know the babies are young but it might be a good outing for them.
Car ride used to be something YOU liked (going for a ride in the green car)… even if you don’t have a destination. And, once asleep, I could park and read for a while before journeying again.
I’ve seen lots of people take walks at the mall, but then you have to resist the urge to buy things. It could do more harm than good. ha
This doesn’t get you out of the house (and for that I support Grandpa’s suggestion), but have you taken out your guitar for them? Fun for everyone–you get to play, they get to watch. Even as young as your two, kids are fascinated by the guitar.
And yeah, there’s always the mall–you’ve got a good sized one near you!
Library – many have kids story hours if you feel like you need to have something to “do” while you’re there. Also bookstore kids section and/or mall walking are good too.
treadmill
i second the suggestion of getting out the guitar. this is an easy way to kill some time for now and i would expect they’d enjoy it. once they get a little bit of mobility… well, they’ll be a little less of a captive audience and you’ll have to find something else. but hopefully the april showers will be over by then.
you can also try making it book time, though you’re at the mercy of how patient they’re feeling that day, which is probably as unreliable as the weather.
When I babysit Kasey….our indoor activities are singing and dancing to children’s music…she definitely likes watching me do “stuff” while I’m chattering nonstop (and she’s such a good listener…never interrupts!, and I put her in that jumping thing that hooks over the door frame! Of course…I only have ONE to watch. Good luck….I agree…a walk to the park is a much better choice.
Okay, herewith Julia’s suggestions for amusing yourself and the babies when it is raining outside. Since we are in Portland, Oregon, where it rains, oh, every single day in the winter, I am an expert at this.
1. One word: bubbles. Babies are freakishly obsessed by bubbles. And who doesn’t love bubbles, come to think of it? They sell them at Gymboree, nontoxic ones.
2. Skype. Ok, so we don’t let Ben and Elly watch much TV, but if you Skype with them, you get to talk to an adult and they get to gaze happily at the flickering lights.
3. Time to get out of the house for lessons, parents’ groups, etc. Have you thought of swim lessons, or baby sign language classes? Is there a twins group you could join, or some other stay at home dads? You are so technologically wise, couldn’t you post a notice somewhere and start one of those meetup thingies?
4. Cooking! B and E seem kind of fascinated by what’s going on in the kitchen, particularly if I sing wheels on the bus while I cook. I keep one in the ergo and the other in a highchair, bouncy chair, etc.
ok, that’s it. off to write to rachel. post updates, let us know if you use any of these suggestions!
There is always the children’s museum. If you’re not up for trekking the kids into Boston, I believe there is a small version in North Dartmouth MA.