Ok....DH is worried

MyLuvBugs wrote: Yesterday DH had the day off, and spent the entire day with Lorelei and I......and she was a total, utter, complete, TERROR!! The last straw was when she threw an empty Dr. Pepper bottle at him and hit him in the eye. Needless to say she got a spank on the butt and put in time-out for quite some time while I calmed DH down and looked at his eye. He's ok, but he said "I'm so worried about getting a job so far away and leaving you with her like this. What if she hurts you or the baby?"

I told him that she's just acting out b/c she's bored. She's tired of being in the house. She's tired of the same old toys. She wants to be out and learn new stuff. KWIM? So, I've been thinking about getting her "Big Sister" gift early (an Aqua Doodle) and maybe some flash cards (alphabet) to help her learn stuff. Then have like a lesson/fun time each day when she can draw and learn her letters. Do you think that sounds like a good idea, or is she too young?

Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated!! Just remember that going outside for walks at 9 months PG in 100 degree heat....not gunna happen.

coasterqueen replied: What about indoor gym places that you can take her to to unload some steam? Like the Y or those big hampster-like cage places that kids find fun?

I honestly don't think she's too young to do educational stuff with. Maybe she's just wanting more attention.

BTW, did your DH get a job? I wondered if i missed a post.

MyLuvBugs replied:
No. He's just hopeful that he gets this job in Tennessee. Actually, I need to update you all....I'll make a post. Thanks for reminding me!!

We dont' really have money to join any clubs or mommy-and-me groups. I'd LOVE to get her into a toddler gymnastics or dance thing. But have to wait till there's money. I take her to the Mall play area sometimes, but I always end up buying something while I'm there Not good. I need to just leave my purse in the car or something I guess. She does LOVE to run around with other kids. And our doula asked us to join her play group, but they meet outside at local parks. I'd really like to do the play group, but the heat right now is just too much.

moped replied: While I htink your ideas are great and you are probably right, she is bored maybe, but the only concern I have is that you are rewarding her for her bad behavior......please don't get mad at me saying that, I just think she might think it is perfectly acceptable to throw a can at her dad and still get these great toys.

We have 2 aquadoodles and Jack doesn't play with either of them, I truly think he is too young, or maybe he just doesn't care....who knows, but he doesn't play with them.

Does she have a tricycle? The one with the adult push handle like in my siggy.
Perhaps some mega blocks?

coasterqueen replied: Well keep that pocketbook at home because the mall play areas are great, IMO. We don't have them around here but when we visit friends and it's hot outside we go to their mall play areas. I usually read a book, do a puzzle, or get down and play w/the children so I'm not spending any money doing that. We bring snacks with us, so no expense there either.

If she's going stir crazy, it might just be the thing to do. I don't know about your DD, but I know mine do not like being cramped up inside at all.

MyLuvBugs replied: Well, I don't know how it'd be rewarding her since she was immediately disciplined after throwing the bottle?? And a toddler's memory about good/bad isn't that long, so if we wait a couple days I think it will be fine.

She has soft baby einstein blocks as well as wooden building blocks and just isnt' interested in either. My parents want to get her a tricycle, but we live in an apartment and don't have room for one right now, so they're putting it off. That would be nice though. Dh seems to think that she want to draw and "write", so that's why we though of the aqua doodle. Besides it wouldn't get marks all over and since is just water I wouldn't have to worry about her eating it. LOL

moped replied: Ya know - they do have the bear that his belly and ears are the aquadoodle part - my sister got Jack one and he seems to like it - let me see if I can find a pic

moped replied: http://cgi.ebay.com/Hug-N-Doodle-Bear-123-...2QQcmdZViewItem

Check it out

C&K*s Mommie replied: I do no think she is too young to begin the learning process either. I sang the ABC's to Christian beginning at six weeks old, yet learning cannot begin early enough. I say go for the flashcards. She will not likely comprehend until a later age, but at least you can get the ball rolling with recognizing letters, or items like apples, or fire trucks.

Our fave now that summer is in full swing is Chuck E. Cheese. I am not a fan of the heat, so we typically stay inside during the daytime, but at evening time and nighttime we let the girls have all the fun they can muster outside. Chuck E. Cheese is relatively inexpensive in the broad picture. Maybe a couple bucks for some tokens, plus you are in the A/C. At our CEC, we have a play area for tots where tokens are not required. So even if you do not buy tokens you can still allow them to have fun for free, while you are comfortable, not hot.

ediep replied: How ablout staoy time at Barnes and Nobel or the library. They are free and they are good for at least an hour with coloring and all

luvmykids replied: We do the McDonalds playground when they need to run and I want to sit, ice cream cones are .99 and kid sized now.

A&A'smommy replied: those sound like great ideas I also like the idea of the indoor gym I bet she would have a blast with that!!!