cabin fever

share bear

Hi everyone,

I'm a first time mom to a beautiful 5 month old. He's a very bright and active baby and likes to be entertained most of the day.He's not one for sitting in his bouncer or swing.

None of my friends are mothers and my family live down the country so I'm alone during the day until my oh gets home.I'm finding it hard to think of new things to do with my lo and keep my own enthusiasm up for so much play time.

We go to a play and learn class once a week and also go swimming once a week. We both look forward to these days and I find he interacts really well with the other babies. We would love to go to more but classes are expensive. We also go for a walk every day but I think we are both getting a bit of cabin fever from being in each others company alone all day.

I am just wondering if anybody who has an active baby has any tips or advise on good games or toys to entertain them and also good ways to meet other mothers?

NextSteps

There are tons of coffee mornings and so on for new mums. Have you looked up Cuidiú, for example? Or had a look in your library?

sari

Why not ask some of the other mums from the groups you already go to to meet up for play date?

share bear

Hadn't heard about Cuidiu, but their website looks great. Will give that a shot after Christmas.

Thanks for the suggestions:-)

MurdyWurdy

I have a 6 month old and made lots of friends from a breastfeeding group and a baby massage class. I would meet some of them 2/3 times a week now. I really had to push myself to get out there and meet people because like you, none of my friends from before have babies. Some days I was so tired but I'd force myself to get out to social groups. I found that most mothers are in the same position and are also looking for people to befriend them. It's isolating for everybody. I just decided to go for it and ask people if they wanted to meet for a coffee or something

I set up a whatsapp group and everyone gave me their number. If anyone needs to get out if the house they send one message which goes to all of us and somebody is always free for a walk/coffee

Cuidiu sounds like a great idea and there's lots of other mother baby groups around too. I'm sure there'll be some near you. I've made some really good friends that I now socialise with without our babies! It's good for my boy too because even at a young age they love to socialise with other babies.

Best of luck! Not sure where you're located but I'm in South Co Dublin if that's any use to you as well

Sligo1

Share Bear I could have written your post a few months ago!! (I actually did write one quite similar ). Where about are you located?

2xj3hplqgsbkym

This is normal. Important that you sort something out now because in the depths of winter when you can't get out for a walk it is worse.

As others have lots of free groups in local library.
Start up your own group even if it is just meeting in McDonalds for coffee. Or také turns in someone's house every Monday, visitors bring biscuits and milk and hosts provide tea.
Invite friends over for lunch, (and hint at them that they should bring the lunch).
If you can afford a childminder for 2 or 3 hours at weekend, go out with your partner for movies or drinks. Or even during the week and meet someone for coffee or just wander around the shops by yourself.

Don't feel bad if you want time away from your baby and time to yourself, it doesn't mean you love her any less than someone who says they can't leave them.

share bear

Sligo1 I'm in the Dublin 6 area, which may the other side if the country going by your username.

Thanks for all the ideas. I'll have a bit more confidence for going to some groups or coffee mornings knowing that a lot of mums are in the same position.

Its funny how scary it is when you realise you gave to start making new friends again, particularly when you're not a social butterfly to start with. Motherhood just loves to keep throwing you curveballs :-)

Sligo1

share bear wrote: »

Sligo1 I'm in the Dublin 6 area, which may the other side if the country going by your username.

Thanks for all the ideas. I'll have a bit more confidence for going to some groups or coffee mornings knowing that a lot of mums are in the same position.

Its funny how scary it is when you realise you gave to start making new friends again, particularly when you're not a social butterfly to start with. Motherhood just loves to keep throwing you curveballs :-)

Share bear, I'm actually in Dublin . And would you believe was in the exact same position as you a few months ago. Had lots of friends in Dublin... Just none with babies. And as all my friends were working during the day I found it really difficult to get out and have adult conversation. It can be a really lonely time tbh. My little fella has just turned 1 and I'm also 6 and half months pregnant now.

Im based in Clonskeagh. And myself and a few other boardsies (3 or 4 of us) have a meet up in the Panda Play Cafe in Terenure on Mondays at 12. I also go to Panda in Ballsbridge sometimes aswell during the week. The play Cafes can be good to get out and have a break with some adult conversation. A bit of a life saver for me to be honest. Check out pandas website. It's so important to get out. I've heard the cuidiu groups can be good aswell. I also went to Claphandies in Dundrum for a term... And it's good to meet people... But tbh I found it really expensive for what it was... But I might join for another term next year... Again just to get out and do something.

Anyways, let me know if you fancy joining us in Panda in Terenure on Monday... The more the merrier!

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Definitely recommend Cuidiu. My wife has been going along to the local group in D7 for the last 3 years.
The support we have received from the group has been great (have to say that in case any of them are reading )
If memory serves, its €25 per year and about 2 -2.50 per session attended in members houses.. This covers insurance, a decent cup of coffee (and bikkies) and a regular newsletter.
They meet 2 or 3 times a week in our area for a couple of hours.
Some of their members also run private ante natal classes and public breast feeding support meetings. They also have breast feeding councillors who were a great support on number 1

Alternatively, you could take Calpol for the fever

Millem

share bear wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I'm a first time mom to a beautiful 5 month old. He's a very bright and active baby and likes to be entertained most of the day.He's not one for sitting in his bouncer or swing.

None of my friends are mothers and my family live down the country so I'm alone during the day until my oh gets home.I'm finding it hard to think of new things to do with my lo and keep my own enthusiasm up for so much play time.

We go to a play and learn class once a week and also go swimming once a week. We both look forward to these days and I find he interacts really well with the other babies. We would love to go to more but classes are expensive. We also go for a walk every day but I think we are both getting a bit of cabin fever from being in each others company alone all day.

I am just wondering if anybody who has an active baby has any tips or advise on good games or toys to entertain them and also good ways to meet other mothers?

Share bear I am in dublin 6w little one not due till January but neighbours have told me of a few groups already. There are baby and mother groups in parish halls beside the churches in the mornings. My nearest Ciudiu is in Wesley I think? And there is also a le leche league either in portobello or dodder area? (Or I have just mixed them up-don't really know the difference between them!) I don't know where abouts in d6 you are but the baby and mother group in kimmage manor church thurs morning is meant to be brilliant there is also meant to be a very good one on weds mornings (I think) in Zion parish hall in rathgar!

share bear

Thanks Sligo1, Ill hopefully pop by tomorrow. Have some christmas shopping to do in the morning as we tried to go on Saturday and needless to say it didn't go well.

Thanks for the invite

Sligo1

share bear wrote: »

Thanks Sligo1, Ill hopefully pop by tomorrow. Have some christmas shopping to do in the morning as we tried to go on Saturday and needless to say it didn't go well.

Thanks for the invite

Great. I'm hoping to be there from around 11.30 till 1.30 tomorrow. Good lock with the Xmas shopping

Mink

I definitely went through the same, I found groups to meet by trawling the net, and asking locals. You definitely need other adult contact & also it's great for your baby to mix with other babies.

I found it easier when he got older to find things to do - like soft play centres often have areas for babies, Gymboree etc. Though you do have to pay in.

I still get cabin fever, especially when the weather is crap and I've a lot of chores to do at home in and around playing with the wee man.