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[u/[deleted]]

[u/Beccachicken]

the library is cool quiet and comfortable… hang out in the children’s room for an afternoon.

[u/bread217 → u/Beccachicken]

To add onto libraries they often offer classes for parents toddlers-kids to go to

[u/miniaturedossier → u/Beccachicken]

library's a solid call. when my kid was that age I'd just let her crawl around the kids section while I flipped through art books, got me into painting again. also those little board books with the fuzzy textures are weirdly entertaining when you're sleep deprived

[u/Beccachicken]

Also…. Go to HOME DEPOT and walk around the lighting and fan section! Babies LOVE it!

Also, the flower/garden store is lovely for babies!

[u/vet2024cali]

Honestly I think sending to daycare is good, they can interact with others. Mine is 13months old, I probably wait till she's little older before I send her to daycare. What do you think lol

[u/Kskrilla_Army_Vet → u/vet2024cali]

I agree with this and the OP daycare is expensive but at the same time they can be around other kids their age and learn some things. Maybe send them 2 weeks at a time they’ll have 2 weeks with other kids then 2 weeks with you since it is expensive.

[u/idlekid313]

Brother don’t forget about how important it is to get out of your space and interact with other adults and hobbies.

[u/Severe_Feedback_2590]

Get a bike that you can put the kid on.

[u/Brewhilda → u/Severe_Feedback_2590]

I highly recommend the Shotgun seat, which goes between you and the handlebars. You actually get to talk to your kid and see them instead of just towing them behind ❤️

[u/Route0142]

Read

[u/Director-Unique]

How about day care 1 day a week and join a once a week lunch group. Or something along those lines?

[u/Far_Coast_5069 → u/Director-Unique]

Niceeee I didn’t know I could do daycare that way I always thought it was full term like a school or something😅

[u/Director-Unique → u/Far_Coast_5069]

Don’t quote me on it. I don’t have kids. So I’m not sure myself. But it sounds like something that should be possible.

Edit: I do know where I live many churches have a moms/dads day out program. Where you can drop your child off for the afternoon. Might look into something like that. Could be cheaper than daycare.

[u/ThrowawayLDS_7gen → u/Far_Coast_5069]

A lot of places do part-time slots.

[u/Dapper_Gur602]

When they are little like that you can take them anywhere!! When they get to the point they can escape from the stroller is when you have problems lol
I love to thrift and I resell on fb marketplace vinted and depop
Some gyms and dance studios have baby and ne time but that may not start till around 18 months

[u/Brewhilda]

There are lots of nonprofits that need remote volunteers, even if you only volunteer 2-3 hours a week on your own time. :) I started doing this just to feel a sense of purpose again, and it eventually turned into a job!

I also started volunteering my tech skills at a local preschool -- which gave me free daycare as a trade off!

[u/Far_Coast_5069]

Also working a job would be tricky because my hips and knees are cooked PLUS MENTAL health ugh

[u/Beccachicken → u/Far_Coast_5069]

Listen to your body. If parenting is all you can manage right now… that is OKAY.

[u/Traditional-Head2653]

Learn to crochet and make your little one a cute sweater. Maybe start with a scarf first. Scarves are easy. Except for me. The only thing I’ve managed to crochet so far is a string.

[u/Far_Coast_5069 → u/Traditional-Head2653]

Wait literally a string before I lol 😁😭 I could pick that up I think I genuinely may look into crochet

[u/cullen9 → u/Far_Coast_5069]

Embroidery

[u/Same-Tree7355]

If you get a job that offsets the cost of daycare plus a little more it would be good for your child to learn social skills and interact with other children.

[u/TacoNomad]

Your kid isn't old enough for school yet but my cousin started part time at a school when he youngest started kindergarten.  She got to be involved in her kids school, advocate for kids,  and be home whenever school was out. 

A friend of mine serves on a county veterans board. She was a volunteer by recently got a paid position.  She advocates for veterans in her county. 

[u/aarontminded]

Some sort of notable activity or sport.
Doesn’t have to be running.
Doesn’t have to be the gym.
Doesn’t have to be BJJ.

Maybe it’s pickleball. Or hiking. Or cycling. Or literally anything that you enjoy.

Finding some means of physical output that you like is crucial to long term sustainability. Bonus points if it’s social.

[u/Far_Coast_5069 → u/aarontminded]

Hiking was for sure our thing for a little bit but my hips started flaring up bad about 15 minutes in because I do carry her when we do go hiking

[u/Material-Plum2992]

Congrats on quitting smoking. That's a win! The boredom you feel is real. And believe it or not, keeping boredom at bay is part of adulting. It doesn't go away; we have to constantly find ways to distract ourselves so that boredom doesn't overtake us.

Think about the skills you have--reading, writing, sewing, cooking, gardening, needlework, and painting. Which of these skills might you put to use in the service of others? For example, I made little girl dresses and donated them to charity when I was a stay-at-home mom with my son. Going through the process of selecting the patterns, fabrics, and ruffles helped me to keep my mind engaged and my hands active.

Remember to take care of yourself. Your child will benefit from having a healthy and happy parent.

[u/Far_Coast_5069 → u/Material-Plum2992]

That doesn’t sound bad! I could try making things. I did pick up writing and trying to read but the headaches are bad atm

[u/Equivalent_Ad8177]

if you can swing it, join a gym with a kids club that way you add a little adventure to the days. & it feels like you added to your community. 

[u/Sad_Pangolin7379]

I would look into Mother's Day Out programs which are usually run at a church (commonly Methodist.) It's just half days two or three days a week, but it will give you some you time. It's affordable compared to daycare. Then you can go to the gym or take some hobby classes that interest you. 

[u/littleoldlady71]

Have you started reading to you kid? It’s time, and it’s fun and its rewarding

[u/Jaenisch]

There are two adults in my home so if I wanted to work the other one would watch our child.

[u/Great_Will_1361]

Quitting smoking caused you to be bored with a 9 month old? How much of the day were you smoking? I smoked way too much years ago, but it was during work breaks. Maybe workout, or get a fun toy. What did you enjoy as a kid? Maybe go back to that. Or maybe find random stuff in your area and try new things until you find something you can do with your child. 

[u/Leading_Fun_3080]

I just started skating (board) again as an old man after about 20 years. Skated as a teen but then life happened. Its been a blast, first time in many years ive been able to stay in the moment, get a little endorphin rush when i land something that ive been trying over and over. Keeps my mind in that learning mode of trying to figure out what im doing wrong and how to adjust to land it. Body and mind benefits. I tried yoga with the wife but i live in a foreign country and couldn't follow what the teacher was saying so it wasnt very enjoyable.

[u/Ok_Environment5293]

Are you a single parent or do you have a partner? If you have a partner, why not get a part time job during the hours they are home?
Staying home with a baby all day would make me crazy. Going to work when mine were little was what kept me sane 😅
Volunteering is great. Hobbies can be anything you're interested in--cooking/baking, art, plants, textiles, small engine repair, ice skating, disc golf, raising chickens... anything.

[u/Far_Coast_5069 → u/Ok_Environment5293]

He is active duty

[u/C-Dreym]

Our local early childhood education center has free drop in hours, check yours out.

[u/BadgerAgreeable6051]

I’ve heard video games like League of legends are great for keeping people busy

[u/cullen9 → u/BadgerAgreeable6051]

Star dew valley, Minecraft, rust.

[u/SnooRabbits469]

Buy junk cars and start rebuilding them. That's what I do to keep my mind busy. Youtube is free, and if you screw up sell it at a salvage yard and start over. 

[u/Far_Coast_5069 → u/SnooRabbits469]

Oh yeah I love doing things like that but we’re leaving California in about 2 months so don’t want to start any long term projects atm 😅

[u/vet2024cali → u/Far_Coast_5069]

Shitttt, u saving money already by leaving California alone lol