Comments on: Your Help Is Requested

By: Melanie

Melanie — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 14:03:41 +0000

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.

By: Julia

Julia — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 04:47:06 +0000

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!

By: Terri

Terri — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 05:08:57 +0000

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.

By: Andre Beskrowni

Andre Beskrowni — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 15:24:32 +0000

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.

By: leigh

leigh — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 05:51:29 +0000

treadmill

By: pumpkinmama

pumpkinmama — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 12:47:14 +0000

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.

By: kris

kris — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 22:40:28 +0000

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!

By: candace

candace — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 21:11:44 +0000

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

By: Grandpa

Grandpa — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 20:20:31 +0000

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.

By: Carole

Carole — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 14:36:33 +0000

How about the library? I know the babies are young but it might be a good outing for them.