After the birth of your baby, you may find you experience feelings of boredom. This may be due to baby sleeping for longer periods of time (well, for the first few months anyway!). Or maybe you find staying at home all day with baby makes you feel like you’re on autopilot and you need some mental stimulation or change.
You needn’t feel guilty for experiencing boredom – it’s easy to fall into at times – however there are all sorts of fun and constructive things you can to do to beat that boredom!
Below are some suggestions for mums with children of various ages, on what you might like to do throughout the day to break out of the mould – perhaps you even have some suggestions yourself?
Join a Playgroup
Playgroups are designed for babies of all ages, and are great for both mothers and babies.
There are playgroups for everyone so you can join an exisiting playgroup or start your own!
Join a Mother’s Group
Mother’s Groups are fantastic for meeting mums in your local area. You can find out more information from your local Maternal and Child Health Centre, Early Childhood Nurse or contact your local council for more information.
Go Shopping
Retail therapy is always a winner in any woman’s books, but may not be so practical if you have a few children to juggle. Babies will often sleep while shopping, however if you take a toddler or older child with you, avoid shopping when they are likely to be hungry or tired.
You could even bring or buy some colouring books or a toy for your child / baby, then find a nice little cafe to sit down in while your little one is occupied.
Pack a Picnic
No matter how old your baby is, if the sun is shining, a rug outside under the shade of a tree on a sunny day is just divine! You can pack a lunch for yourself with some special treats if baby is too young to eat with you, or make some lunch together and enjoy lunch at the park with a toddler. You could even have your picnic out the back of your house and relax on the lawn.
Go For A Walk
Fresh air and exercise are great for stimulating happy hormones – especially if you suffer from depression or stress, the benefits of walking are huge. Start a pram push with other mums or go it alone! It’s also ideal for baby who will love the different surroundings and will be fast asleep before you know it. Older children enjoy walking too and the energy they burn will probably even score you an early night with one tired little toddler!
Do Some Baby/Parenting Classes or Workshops
I really enjoyed the classes I went to after having both of my children, including Infant Massage classes and Pinky McKay’s Terrific Toddlers Workshop. I met many wonderful, like-minded parents and it’s great to chat to others and realise they experienced the same ups and downs as I did. I still keep in touch with some of these mums too – so the added bonus is the building of a friendship network.
Go and See a Friend!
I always find getting out of the house and visiting a friend so refreshing, especially when they have children themselves. You know they understand the mess and havoc that the littlies can create, so you aren’t worried about being out somewhere where the usual child-induced mess and havoc aren’t welcomed or allowed.
It’s sometimes hard to get yourself and your children organised for an outing, but once you’re out, it’s such a nice way to relax, get and give some support and pass the day in the best way possible. If you like you could invite a friend over instead – same effect!
Jump Online
These days, many women find support and friendships online. There are plenty of websites and forums out there, based on a huge range of topics which you might find to be a great way to make friends. You also might like to find out information or follow up on some hobbies you once had. It can be quite nerve-racking making the decision to join a forum and chat, but many women find them to be a saviour throughout the ups and downs of motherhood.
Start Scrapbooking Or Another Creative Hobby
I have only done scrapbooking once, but it was so much fun! If I didn’t have two websites to run, it would certainly be one of my hobbies. There are plenty of websites and stores now open which specialise in Scrapbooking – it’s a fantastic way to journal your photos of baby and pass time. Many other mothers I speak to are completely hooked!
Get Organised!
There are plenty of ways you can get organised and you’d be surprised how it helps you during those times when you are not so busy. You might like to make some meals and freeze them, for example soups, casseroles etc., plan your week’s meals or shopping, de-clutter your house a room at a time or go through that huge pile of paperwork you have been meaning to for ages!
Read A Book / Visit The Library
There are so many options when it comes to books. You can buy or revisit a good old fashioned book, download a book on a platform like Audible, or even grab an ebook.
As a birth worker, I became a book hoarder and have a huge pile of birth books to read for many years to come! So if you’re thinking ahead to a potential career path, you might like to get reading some books related to your interests. It’s amazing how you can get hooked into reading, even if you consider yourself a non-reader.
Book A Babysitter or Daycare
If you haven’t had enough ‘me’ time, it might be a good idea to organise a babysitter (family/friends) or occasional care for a couple of hours so you can do your own thing.
You might like to go have a massage, a sleep, get your hair done – I find that once I have had some ‘me’ time, I am more enthusiastic about focusing on more play time with my kids.
We always play lots of little games and activities, but one can only take so much of building blocks only to knock them down, again, and again, and again…
Do Some Gardening
Kids love being outdoors, so as soon as you get some sunshine, head out the back!
My kids love to help me pull out weeds with a weeding tool, or help with planting – choosing plants for the nursery! Add some colour to your garden and enjoy some time outside with the kids.
Make A Time Capsule / Memory Box
If you start a time capsule or memory box for your baby, you’ll be so glad you did. Children grow up so quick, that it’s heartwarming to look back on how tiny baby was, what he/she wore and those very first finger paintings they were so proud of. When baby has grown up, they’ll appreciate your efforts too.
Study
Many universities and courses now offer study online. This is great for mums as they can now study from home in their own time. You might like to check out the websites of your local university, TAFE or Open Learning.
Take Up Yoga / Pilates
Yoga and Pilates is great for both your mind and body, with Pilates having the added bonus of being a great pelvic floor workout. Find a babysitter or carer for baby and treat yourself to a regular class of yoga or pilates. They are both fantastic ways to help with stress, relaxation, strength and flexibility.
Make sure to get your doctor’s okay to start any form of exercise after baby. Remember, it can take around three months for all the relaxin (the hormone which softens ligaments) in your body to reduce to normal levels. There are quite a few post-natal classes around, so look out for those.
Join A Gym
Many gyms now have creches and it’s a great incentive to get out of the house – get fit, get some ‘me’ time and to feel good about yourself. Again, get your doctor’s okay to start exercise and look out for those post-natal classes!
