Am I "doing" enough with my dd?

This is a question for the super mommies who somehow manage to do it all. Dd is 4.5 months old and I worry that I'm not doing enough with her. To be honest I'm not sure how much activity she should be doing to begin with. Between work and school I'm out of the house about 55 hours a week so when I'm home my time is split between Holly and the piles of laundry/dishes/dust that accumulate. I find that a lot of the time I put her in either the bouncer, the bumbo, or on her play mat and every apparatice has a fun attachment or a tray that I can put toys on for her. I work on whatever housework or cooking that needs to be done and I take a couple five minute breaks to play or pick her up. While I wash dishes or fold clothes I can sing with her and make a bit more eye contact. She is pretty into the tv so in the mornings while I get ready I'll stick her in the bouncer and put on a Disney Jr show to keep her entertained. I feel like in some ways I'm letting the various seats babysit her while I do stuff around the house and I'm starting to feel more and more guilty. What do you do with your baby and for how long do you play with them directly? I don't want to ignore her but how else will I get anything done?

Any suggestions would be a HUGE help!

Re: Am I "doing" enough with my dd?

wear your baby....put your daughter in a carrier and go on about washing dishes, put some music on and sing while you do it....you can stop in between to give her kisses on her forehead.

You will benefit greatly as will she because she'll get to interact in "your" world and watch your mouth as you speak/sing, feel your warmth and heartbeat. There's nothing better.

Other than that, you're doing great!

Am I

I do EXACTLY the same things as you. It is hard being a FT working mama. You are doing great!!!

Am I

I do pretty much the same as you, when cleaning I stop to take breaks to interact with my DS. I like the PP idea of wearing your baby, I may do that also, I just can't figure out how to use my Moby wrap for the life of me.

PS that pic of your daughter is just scrumptious!!

Message edited 9/17/2012 3:17:25 PM.

Am I

I play with my DS when I get home.....maybe throw a load of laundry in but then get on the floor with him and play after he eats until he falls asleep. Cooking in my world is simple dinners and most times I make dinner while DH feeds DS.

Cleaning is after he is asleep or for an hour or two on the weekends.

My DS comes first and cleanign, cooking and sleeping come after. I figure I am out of my house 630-630 daily I need to make the time I am home all about him. My DH is a huge help....but I have to ask him to help, if I left it up to him I would do it all.

Re: Am I "doing" enough with my dd?

It's very hard when they are that small to get stuff done. I do most of my cleaning once the girls are sleeping at night or before they wake up. I clean the living room
While my youngest is in the swing and I put kids music on and sing and dance around with my two year old and my little one loves that. But there are just times when I let her stay in the bouncy seat or swing while I fold laundry or cook. I talk to her when she is in the swing or boncery but I feel guilty too. Sometimes I just leave stuff undone and get to it when I have time.

Re: Am I "doing" enough with my dd?

Posted by Loveme

I do pretty much the same as you, when cleaning I stop to take breaks to interact with my DS. I like the PP idea of wearing your baby, I may do that also, I just can't figure out how to use my Moby wrap for the life of me.

PS that pic of your daughter is just scrumptious!!

Re: Am I "doing" enough with my dd?

Posted by MrsPenthouse

Posted by Loveme

I do pretty much the same as you, when cleaning I stop to take breaks to interact with my DS. I like the PP idea of wearing your baby, I may do that also, I just can't figure out how to use my Moby wrap for the life of me.

PS that pic of your daughter is just scrumptious!!

Go on youtube and watch a few videos! It's NOT hard, I promise....just gotta get the hang of it. Practice with a stuffed animal to get the positioning right.