With just a few days left until I’m trapped in the house with a small child all day, every day, I’m starting to think more about what we need to do over the summer to keep us all sane.
Don’t get me wrong; I love my son deeply, and I’m not at all a person who needs to run here, there and everywhere constantly. On the other hand, J needs child-age companions, and although I may act like one from time to time, I’m not a good enough substitute. As a result, I’m on the hunt for some alternative, possibly weekly plans for the summer.
We’re covered for a few weeks…mostly because T has to be the one to deal with it next week as I’m teaching summer school for most of the day. Then, there’s the fact that as soon as I’m done with that next Friday afternoon, I’m picking up J and we’re driving to Cousin E’s house so that I can spend some quality days with my sis and J can play with one of his favorite cousins.
After that, though, I’m drawing a blank.
I’ve joined a local online group run by a post-adoption resource center, and although I was hoping I’d get an instant response from several parents that they’d love to befriend my son and I, it’s a pretty low-key group, and no one has answered back. They do have a playdate in July that I’m planning on going to, but it’s an hour away, so it’s not something I want to do frequently.
The local Parks and Rec department isn’t offering anything for the under 4 crowd. Kindermusik or anything else like it doesn’t seem to be available anywhere nearby.
Are we destined for a summer of 2-people pool parties and archaeology digs in the sandbox?
Michelle says:
How about just playgrounds and indoor play lands? We like to go to the local park–we haven’t met any future friends there, but at least MAM can socialize and sometimes I can too. On rainy days, we hit the play land at Chik-fil-A or the mall food court. Not very classy, but it works!
Does the library have story hour? There are definitely days where you just have to get out of the house and around other people!
June 3rd, 2008 at 8:39 pm
C says:
Here via NaComLeavMo!
Good luck finding fun things to do with your munchkin. Have you tried http://www.meetup.com, http://www.mommyandme.com, searching Yahoo! groups, or story time at the library?
June 3rd, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Global Librarian says:
Try the local public library!
Most public libraries have several programs per week during the summer months for children and teens from birth (baby lapsit programs) through teens (computer & craft programs). And they are all free!
The 3-6 age group program tend to be extremely popular! At the very least, they likely offer a weekly storytime and a weekly craft program. So that’s two right there.
Plus, you will meet other kids (and their caregivers) and perhaps arrange play dates and the like.
June 3rd, 2008 at 11:43 pm
Joanna says:
I totally know how you feel. I am home with Ella everyday and although we have done the ECFE classes (comminity ed) which is great for both of us, I know she is starving for socialization. I can not meet all of her play needs…..I just dont have that kind of energy. Good luck. I hope you find something good for the both of you.
June 4th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
A Soldier's Girl says:
Hola from NCLM…
Well, I’m not a mom (yet), but what about playgroups? Are there other moms in your neighborhood or who you work with that would want to take turns hosting a play group or meeting somewhere?
Then again, you could always pop in a DVD and make him sit in front of the TV all day…that’s good for his educational development, I’m sure! :)
Nice blog…I’ll definitely be back :)
June 4th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Andy says:
I’m stopping by from NCLM and I hear ya! My little guy is 5 going on 6 and it is so much easier this year to find activities and day camps for him. The under 4 crowd is tough! Good luck
June 5th, 2008 at 10:08 am
DC says:
Maybe you could plan some trips to the zoo, museums, etc?? Good luck! :)
June 5th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Shawnawna says:
I don’t know what your religious beliefs are but I find VBS hopping to be a fun way for my kiddo (4 this summer) to have a great time and it wears him out. He actually naps!
Some of the churches are a little pushy but most of them are too busy keeping the program going to push too hard. I am a church member and lots of parents that say don’t have any feelings one way or the other about God bring their children in for the socialization aspect.
Otherwise, I am right there with you. It is hard to find activities for the little ones.
June 5th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
Robyn says:
Visiting from NaComLeavMo. Those days are a long way behind me but I haven’t forgotten how long the summer seemed to stretch in front of me when I struggled to think of things to keep us occupied and most of our family, friends and neighbours had taken off for holidays somewhere else. I second the idea of trying your library, as ours always puts on extra programs at holiday time. Our local pool also runs water familiarisation activities for this age group as well.
June 7th, 2008 at 7:58 am
Tanya says:
I was really concerned about being home full-time once I had my son too. I’ve been know to get bored after a week or two of vacation so how was I going to handle a year? As it happens, I’m not bored at all. As a matter of fact I’m dreading going back to work.
June 7th, 2008 at 8:19 am
Kim says:
Worried about the summer too with three boys! NCLM
June 7th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Jessica says:
Is there a YMCA or something like that nearby? They may have some programs. Or even a library.
Here via NCLM.
June 8th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Alicia says:
I love your blog layout! so awesome!
Sorry about the hardships for summer planning! I hope you are able to find a playgroup to connect with.
DH and I are also adopting soon! Probably a sib group so we are very excited! I love reading other adoption blogs.
here from nacomleavmo
June 9th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Leanne says:
Um. We used to get a lot of use out of one of those five dollar plastic pools you can pick up at WalMart. Those and bubbles saved my sanity..
June 9th, 2008 at 5:27 pm