A stay-at-home father is having trouble finding something to do, that his seven-month-old son will enjoy and that will also stimulates him as well. Guest expert and super nanny Elaine Addison, offers some ideas that will break up the day and keep both son and father amused.

Raisingkids Member's Question
I'm a stay at home dad with a 5-year-old girl and 7 month boy. My problem is that I'm finding as he is awake more and more throughout the day, that I am running out of ideas to entertain him. Once I've got the usual rattles, a few toys, and bouncing on the knee or singing out of the way, it's barely lunchtime and he gets bored and ratty as a result. I then feel extremely guilty as I'm counting the hours to his next nap time, or counting down the time until mum gets home. This of course makes me feel absolutely awful as I shouldn't be feeling like this towards my own child, but I too get bored. I'd like for us to do some more things, which I think will be easier when he's older and much more active and interactive, but for now I'm stuck for ideas.

Miss Poppy's Reply
You sound like a wonderful father and a conscientious full-time care giver. Your son is a lucky boy as he has been born into an already child orientated active household. With plenty of parent-child interaction to keep his senses fully occupied and stimulated. He probably misses his older sister when she goes to school, as I’m sure she provides fulltime entertainment just by being there. Remember just by sitting him on your lap whilst you help her play games and put puzzles together offers him just as much stimulation as if you were playing with him directly.

Park And Play
I suggest you take a morning outing – a walk to the park perhaps or even a shopping trip brightens their day. Simple walks around the block or past a building site will offer him a change of scenery and settle him down ready for a nap. Have you considered joining a playgroup? These offer both you and your child a welcome break – adult conversation for you and a chance for your son to sit with other babies his age and have a good old stare and grab at each other. All the playgroups I’ve attended have included at least one or two stay at home fathers and the more the merrier as far as I’m concerned.

Along For The Ride
If you are busy at home in the morning doing all the chores just pop him in his bouncy chair and take him with you from room to room as you make the beds – Shake the sheet or quilt over him and he’ll laugh and jolly you along. If you have a front load washing machine he will be fascinated watching it wash and spin. Talk to him as you potter along and that way you will not feel resentful as you are getting on with things and he will be quite stimulated by the buzz of activity. Often if I am busy in the kitchen I prop my smaller charges up in a bouncy chair and offer them a noisy packet of something to shake and hold. Or a wooden spoon or harmless kitchen utensil, which they all seem to enjoy investigating.

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