DESPERATE: Housebound With A Toddler - Give Me Some Survival Strategies

[Mother Goose]

beading/threading - use buttons or over sized beads from Spotlight

puzzles

finger/hand puppets and get her to make up a story

painting/chalk drawing

basic cooking - scrambled eggs for lunch, cutting soft fruit with a blunt knife, pikelets or pancakes

you could play doctor/nurse and get her to fetch things for you when you're really sore. Or encourage her to play this with her dolls. My DD can play this for hours!

Fi - I don't work Tuesdays (I do have a longstanding appt 1130-1230) so I could probably come pick your DD up and walk to a local park with her and my DD some Tuesday afternoons. That would give you a bit of a break and burn some energy for both girls! I am not that far from you (about 30min). Unfortunately I'm booked for the next two weeks though.

MG

[AnyDream]

I think to you should be really realistic and use stuff like Playschool/DVD's to your advantage.
Can you get DH or DSD to take DD to the library or park in the pm or early am - this is so tricky when trying to manage work/school etc.
Whatever works!!!!!

Yeah, I agree...I mean there are lots of suggestions here but realistically, just moving around at home takes it toll.

[Kazbah]

go to your local toy library, and see if they have any larger toys like cubby houses, indoor slides etc to borrow. Best thing is, as you return them after a couple of weeks, it keeps it fresh for the kids!

See if you can clear out a room or a bit of space - even a neighbour's garage - and set it up with the big borrowed toys. We have a climbing frame thingy ($180 from myer) that's blow-up and it keeps Pip amused for hours - and physically tires him out. Also stuff like ball pits - buy a couple of hundred balls (usually heaps in second hand kids shops) and fill a porta-cot with them, give tasks like finding 5 blue balls etc.

*hug* good luck

[fionas]

Thanks for all those great suggestions ladies. I've made a list of our first lot and what I'll need so now just waiting for DP to get home this arvo so we can go shopping.

And thanks so much for your lovely offer MG - I can't make you drive for 30 mins just to take DD for a walk. So I'll explore other options and see what I come up with but I really do appreciate your lovely offer.

Marydean - family day care is a great idea but as I don't drive, I can't get her there. DP works odd hours - today for example he started at 5am so he couldn't take her either. I've got a special arrangement with the childcare centre I've enrolled her in that, if necessary, one of the carers will collect her/bring her back for cash, otherwise I wouldn't be able to get her there. But obviously most places won't do that.

Roll on moving to the country where at least we'll have a backyard and I can get used to driving with barely any traffic around.

Thanks again ladies.

[fionas]

I just wanted to say thank you again for all the great inspiration. We've had the best week we've had in ages. DD got up this morning and instead of running straight to the TV (she's been watching far too much lately) she headed to the kitchen to find her paints. Bit of a meltdown when I insisted that she get dressed before we could start painting (I was expecting someone to collect her soon) but hey, I was chuffed.

Now feeling like a half-decent mum again.

[jackrose]

So glad to hear it, may the joy continue!

[AnyDream]

Fiona, some FDC ladies will pick kids up/drop them off...or there may be one just around the corner who could walk around. If you explain your needs to the office I"m sure they will take particular care to find someone who can help you.