Pure Parents

Question:

Lesa, I’m smack dab in the heart of good ole Milwaukee, WI.

Response:

> Lesa, > I’m smack dab in the heart of good ole Milwaukee, WI.

KEWL!!  Hub’s from Waukesha & has lots of family around the Milwaukee area (West Allis, Hartland, New Berlin).  I’m from Beaver Dam, but went to college in Waukesha–and spent lots of time in Milwukee on the good ole Fashionable East Side (although most of our hang-outs are no longer there). Lesa

Response:

I have an aunt (and family) in New Berlin, along with my grandmother, and an uncle (and family) just outside Milwaukee – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Lesa, > I’m smack dab in the heart of good ole Milwaukee, WI. >KEWL!!  Hub’s from Waukesha & has lots of family around the Milwaukee area >(West Allis, Hartland, New Berlin).  I’m from Beaver Dam, but went to >college in Waukesha–and spent lots of time in Milwukee on the good ole >Fashionable East Side (although most of our hang-outs are no longer there). >Lesa

Response:

If you bub likes water .. let them sit in the bath with some measuring cups or plastic cups a strainer etc. even just the cups in general play also the paper tubes always a hit .. or an empty shoe box peek a boo is a great one too leonie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->My 6-month-old is bored! =) >What kinds of games and/or toys (inexpensive or free) do your infants play >with? Or what kind of activities do they like? > Banging on upside down saucepans with a wooden spoon.  Shouting > down one of those cardboard inner tubes from toilet paper or paper > towels.  Singing (action type games like "This little piggy" or "Round and > round the garden").  Mirrors.  Water play (possibly for a bit older – > depends if he can sit up or not) – sit them in the kitchen sink with some > plastic beakers, spoons etc.  Making a tower and having them knock it > down > I think you’re right about not buying toys – although toys REALLY come > into their own later, I can’t actually think of a single toy (with the > exception of the baby walker) that any of my six months olds got any > more than passing pleasure from. > — > C > Mama to Peter (3), Isabel (20 months) > Georgia and Anna (10 months) > and little peanut due April 2000 > I wanted to get out and change the world, but I couldn’t find a babysitter

Response:

Our daughter liked music at this age. Anything musical- we would play lively music (mostly classical) on the stereo and dance with her, let her press the keys of our mini organ and make her own music, and she had a musical tortoise that played 12 different tunes when you pressed a key. She also liked various rattles, bells, maracas, foot or hand jangles, squeeky toys etc. Balls were also a favourite, soft foam ones she could grasp and balls that made sounds while they rolled. Also those plastic bath books which she would chew with great delight. Soon after 6 months we introduced her to the Baby Mozart video, which she finds fascinating to this day. She is still a lover of music and sound too… and balls…. but she has ceased chewing on the bath books! ;-} –Lisa Bell SAHM/WAHM to Gabriella (14 months) #2 due 22FEB2000 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->My 6-month-old is bored! =) >What kinds of games and/or toys (inexpensive or free) do your infants play >with? Or what kind of activities do they like? >I’m looking for some new ideas to try to keep my son, Sean, interested and >break up the monotony that has become our "routine". We used to go for walks >outside when the house got boring, but I live in WI and it’s too cold for >that now. I am considering mall-walking, but the impulse to buy is so >great(!) and I don’t want Sean to sleep in the stroller (I cherish those >sleeping moments too much!!), so mall-walking isn’t an every day option. (I >have also been considering buying a backpack for this purpose. Any >suggestions/reviews???) >DH and I really don’t want Sean to have *too* many toys…. But I am willing >to spend a few bucks on some good, quality toys, games or activities for my >son and I. >As a side note, Sean does have a walker/exersaucer and also a >johnny-jump-up, which he likes. But those, too, are becoming "old hat" it >seems. >DH and I appreciate any help…and Sean does, too, I’m sure. =) >~Shiloh

Response:

>My 6-month-old is bored! =) >What kinds of games and/or toys (inexpensive or free) do your infants play >with? Or what kind of activities do they like?

Banging on upside down saucepans with a wooden spoon.  Shouting down one of those cardboard inner tubes from toilet paper or paper towels.  Singing (action type games like "This little piggy" or "Round and round the garden").  Mirrors.  Water play (possibly for a bit older – depends if he can sit up or not) – sit them in the kitchen sink with some plastic beakers, spoons etc.  Making a tower and having them knock it down I think you’re right about not buying toys – although toys REALLY come into their own later, I can’t actually think of a single toy (with the exception of the baby walker) that any of my six months olds got any more than passing pleasure from. — C Mama to Peter (3), Isabel (20 months) Georgia and Anna (10 months) and little peanut due April 2000 I wanted to get out and change the world, but I couldn’t find a babysitter

Response:

Six months is kind of young, but here’s an excellent site for kids 2 or 3 & up. http://web.missouri.edu/~weeksc/games/ — The CROKINOLE Board http://www.frontiernet.net/~crokinol

Response:

I fixed up one floor level cabinet in the kitchen with unbreakable things, mostly tupperware, wooden spoons, etc. so my son could crawl around and play with stuff like that when I was cooking. I did the stroller walks outside, even when it was quite cold, just bundled him up.  Fresh air is great!  Just don’t overdo it. We did use a backpack, but my DH used it more; it was uncomfortable for me for very long. I put DS in the johnny jump up and turned on the Nutcracker music.  He loved that! Toys:  those cardboard blocks that look like bricks.  My son loved those.  Even before he could actually stack them himself, we would build a wall around him or a window, etc. and play peek a boo.  And he loved knocking them down.  Another good toy is one that makes noises when the baby pushes something. Karen – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My 6-month-old is bored! =) > What kinds of games and/or toys (inexpensive or free) do your infants play > with? Or what kind of activities do they like? > I’m looking for some new ideas to try to keep my son, Sean, interested and > break up the monotony that has become our "routine". We used to go for >walks > outside when the house got boring, but I live in WI and it’s too cold for > that now. I am considering mall-walking, but the impulse to buy is so > great(!) and I don’t want Sean to sleep in the stroller (I cherish those > sleeping moments too much!!), so mall-walking isn’t an every day option. >(I > have also been considering buying a backpack for this purpose. Any > suggestions/reviews???) > DH and I really don’t want Sean to have *too* many toys…. But I am >willing > to spend a few bucks on some good, quality toys, games or activities for >my > son and I. > As a side note, Sean does have a walker/exersaucer and also a > johnny-jump-up, which he likes. But those, too, are becoming "old hat" it > seems. > DH and I appreciate any help…and Sean does, too, I’m sure. =) > ~Shiloh

Response:

How about patty-cake, itsy bitsy spider?  I liked the idea someone wrote about the household stuff – kitchen stuff should be a big hit.  Measuring cups, measuring spoons.  Hate to suggest a video, but have you ever heard of a video called Baby Mozart?  My son adored this video.  It was great for when he was awake but really needed to calm down and nothing else worked.  I had some audio tapes, children’s music, that I used to play for my son and I’d sing the songs for him, he liked that.  He liked when I made the stuffed animals dance around too. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My 6-month-old is bored! =) > What kinds of games and/or toys (inexpensive or free) do your infants play > with? Or what kind of activities do they like? > I’m looking for some new ideas to try to keep my son, Sean, interested and > break up the monotony that has become our "routine". We used to go for walks > outside when the house got boring, but I live in WI and it’s too cold for > that now. I am considering mall-walking, but the impulse to buy is so > great(!) and I don’t want Sean to sleep in the stroller (I cherish those > sleeping moments too much!!), so mall-walking isn’t an every day option. (I > have also been considering buying a backpack for this purpose. Any > suggestions/reviews???) > DH and I really don’t want Sean to have *too* many toys…. But I am willing > to spend a few bucks on some good, quality toys, games or activities for my > son and I. > As a side note, Sean does have a walker/exersaucer and also a > johnny-jump-up, which he likes. But those, too, are becoming "old hat" it > seems. > DH and I appreciate any help…and Sean does, too, I’m sure. =) > ~Shiloh

Response:

> My 6-month-old is bored! =)

Rotating toys can help.  A toy becomes much more exciting if it hasn’t been seen for a week. > What kinds of games and/or toys (inexpensive or free) do your infants play > with? Or what kind of activities do they like?

We go to the pet shop to look at the animals.  We go to the grocery store and I point out and name all the fruits and vegetables. > outside when the house got boring, but I live in WI and it’s too cold for > that now. I am considering mall-walking, but the impulse to buy is so > great(!) and I don’t want Sean to sleep in the stroller (I cherish those > sleeping moments too much!!), so mall-walking isn’t an every day option. (I > have also been considering buying a backpack for this purpose. Any > suggestions/reviews???)

I walk in the mall with other mothers.  Having a group helps keep me from going into the stores to shop.  I carried my daughter in a front pack when smaller and in a backpack when larger.  She tends to sleep either way, which is a problem since I need rest too. > DH and I really don’t want Sean to have *too* many toys…. But I am willing

I used to feel that way, then I saw ho much my daughter was learning from her toys.  I went to the church and playgroup rummage sales and got lots of toys at very little cost ($2.00 – $5.00) per grocery bag full. > As a side note, Sean does have a walker/exersaucer and also a > johnny-jump-up, which he likes. But those, too, are becoming "old hat" it > seems.

You might try taking them away alternately for 5-7 days. –Betsy

Response:

Try peek a boo.  Later on this turns into a wondeful game of hide and seek. Give him some books and read to him alot.  Children are never too young to love reading.  The act of reading and the time spent with you is rewarding.  You could also check out your local library for infant story time.  Our library has an infant morning,  they do songs and fingerplays and read picture books, it is mostly a great time to spend with other mothers and your child gets to interact with the other babies.  You could also see if there are any playgroups in your neighbourhood.  Often churches will have these for minimal surcharge and some community centres offer playgroups for a yearly fee.  (around 25.00)  IT can be a wonderful way to meet other moms and your child gets to interact.  You could take him to the park.  Kids his age usually love swings.  Even if it is cold out, as long as he is bundled, it can be quite fun.  At night take a walk and look at all the christmas lights.  We do this at least once a week, my kids love it. — zipper For lots of parenting tips and other useful information regarding childcare, visit my website! http://www.angelfire.com/country/daycare/index.html – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->My 6-month-old is bored! =) >What kinds of games and/or toys (inexpensive or free) do your infants play >with? Or what kind of activities do they like? >I’m looking for some new ideas to try to keep my son, Sean, interested and >break up the monotony that has become our "routine". We used to go for walks >outside when the house got boring, but I live in WI and it’s too cold for >that now. I am considering mall-walking, but the impulse to buy is so >great(!) and I don’t want Sean to sleep in the stroller (I cherish those >sleeping moments too much!!), so mall-walking isn’t an every day option. (I >have also been considering buying a backpack for this purpose. Any >suggestions/reviews???) >DH and I really don’t want Sean to have *too* many toys…. But I am willing >to spend a few bucks on some good, quality toys, games or activities for my >son and I. >As a side note, Sean does have a walker/exersaucer and also a >johnny-jump-up, which he likes. But those, too, are becoming "old hat" it >seems. >DH and I appreciate any help…and Sean does, too, I’m sure. =) >~Shiloh

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Your best toys are probably already in your home, especially in your > kitchen.  At this age your child is starting to get around independently but > her attention span and fine motor skills are still developing, to put things > mildly.  The exercauser is a good help, with some items in the tray [does it > have one?] to manipulate and bang.  Things like wooden spoons and measuring > cups [plastic nesting ones] come to mind, clean yogurt containers [a la > Beyer's] were real handy in our house at that stage.  Board and washable > books are a probable hit at this age or soon, as are various teething type > toys like plastic key rings.  Keep in mind nearly everything will go in her > mouth multiple times, if not seem to reside there when teething hard.  In my > opinion, store bought stuff for this age is not necessary, as so many things > around your kitchen will be quite interesting.  If you have not obtained one > of those jumping things to hang in doorways, consider it.  They are > wonderful when you need to know where your wide awake short person is but > need to be concentrating on something else like dinner. > – Aula

These are great ideas.  I’d also add that as he gets older and moves around more a supply of large boxes is great.  You can make tunnels out them, or stack them into walls to move around and peek over.  The big board story books are wonderful too-even the soft sqishy ones. Being a transplanted cheesehead I’m wondering where in WI you live. Lesa – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My 6-month-old is bored! =) > What kinds of games and/or toys (inexpensive or free) do your infants play > with? Or what kind of activities do they like? > I’m looking for some new ideas to try to keep my son, Sean, interested and > break up the monotony that has become our "routine". We used to go for > walks > outside when the house got boring, but I live in WI and it’s too cold for > that now. I am considering mall-walking, but the impulse to buy is so > great(!) and I don’t want Sean to sleep in the stroller (I cherish those > sleeping moments too much!!), so mall-walking isn’t an every day option. > (I > have also been considering buying a backpack for this purpose. Any > suggestions/reviews???) > DH and I really don’t want Sean to have *too* many toys…. But I am > willing > to spend a few bucks on some good, quality toys, games or activities for > my > son and I. > As a side note, Sean does have a walker/exersaucer and also a > johnny-jump-up, which he likes. But those, too, are becoming "old hat" it > seems. > DH and I appreciate any help…and Sean does, too, I’m sure. =) > ~Shiloh

Response:

My 6-month-old is bored! =) What kinds of games and/or toys (inexpensive or free) do your infants play with? Or what kind of activities do they like? I’m looking for some new ideas to try to keep my son, Sean, interested and break up the monotony that has become our "routine". We used to go for walks outside when the house got boring, but I live in WI and it’s too cold for that now. I am considering mall-walking, but the impulse to buy is so great(!) and I don’t want Sean to sleep in the stroller (I cherish those sleeping moments too much!!), so mall-walking isn’t an every day option. (I have also been considering buying a backpack for this purpose. Any suggestions/reviews???) DH and I really don’t want Sean to have *too* many toys…. But I am willing to spend a few bucks on some good, quality toys, games or activities for my son and I. As a side note, Sean does have a walker/exersaucer and also a johnny-jump-up, which he likes. But those, too, are becoming "old hat" it seems. DH and I appreciate any help…and Sean does, too, I’m sure. =) ~Shiloh

Response:

Your best toys are probably already in your home, especially in your kitchen.  At this age your child is starting to get around independently but her attention span and fine motor skills are still developing, to put things mildly.  The exercauser is a good help, with some items in the tray [does it have one?] to manipulate and bang.  Things like wooden spoons and measuring cups [plastic nesting ones] come to mind, clean yogurt containers [a la Beyer's] were real handy in our house at that stage.  Board and washable books are a probable hit at this age or soon, as are various teething type toys like plastic key rings.  Keep in mind nearly everything will go in her mouth multiple times, if not seem to reside there when teething hard.  In my opinion, store bought stuff for this age is not necessary, as so many things around your kitchen will be quite interesting.  If you have not obtained one of those jumping things to hang in doorways, consider it.  They are wonderful when you need to know where your wide awake short person is but need to be concentrating on something else like dinner. – Aula – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My 6-month-old is bored! =) > What kinds of games and/or toys (inexpensive or free) do your infants play > with? Or what kind of activities do they like? > I’m looking for some new ideas to try to keep my son, Sean, interested and > break up the monotony that has become our "routine". We used to go for walks > outside when the house got boring, but I live in WI and it’s too cold for > that now. I am considering mall-walking, but the impulse to buy is so > great(!) and I don’t want Sean to sleep in the stroller (I cherish those > sleeping moments too much!!), so mall-walking isn’t an every day option. (I > have also been considering buying a backpack for this purpose. Any > suggestions/reviews???) > DH and I really don’t want Sean to have *too* many toys…. But I am willing > to spend a few bucks on some good, quality toys, games or activities for my > son and I. > As a side note, Sean does have a walker/exersaucer and also a > johnny-jump-up, which he likes. But those, too, are becoming "old hat" it > seems. > DH and I appreciate any help…and Sean does, too, I’m sure. =) > ~Shiloh

Response: