Mommy, unplugged

March 12, 2009 · Posted in Family, Life, Parenting · 4 Comments

I’ve noted before that The Little Empress lets me know when she’s not happy and I’ve come to realize that she is unhappiest when Mommy is typing away at her laptop. I have to admit that I do spend an inordinate amount of time parked in front of my laptop. For me, my laptop is both my work medium and a source of entertainment. In short, it takes me away from TLE and she knows it. The laptop has become TLE’s nemesis and she tries her damndest to get me away from it.

First, she tries the cute approach. She’ll crawl up to me and play what we call the “give” game. She holds up something, I ask her to give it to me and she does. Then I give it back. The give game never lasts for too long so then she’ll crawl off and find another object to play the give game with. Then she’ll realize that I’m still on the damned laptop and then she’ll cling to my leg. And not leave. And if I don’t get the clinging hint, that’s when the wailing will start. If I pick her up, the crying stops immediately but if I even LOOK at the laptop, she’ll start crying again. Or biting. Sometimes, if I’m not lucky and/or she is feeling particularly hateful of the laptop, she will skip everything and go right to biting. Biting, she has discovered, gets Mommy’s attention the quickest.

Just looking over the last paragraph makes me feel like a bad parent. I will say that I do get on the floor and play with TLE all the time but the fact that she recognizes the laptop as that evil, Mommy-taking-away-machine does concern me. I’ve realized that a lot of my internet time is very idle surfing while waiting for mail to come in and is not the greatest use of my time. So I’ve decided to limit my active computer usage to times I have to use it (ie. when I have assignments) or times that she’s napping (like now.)

I have to admit that I sometimes find myself at a bit of a loss for what to do to keep TLE stimulated. We’re not a “no TV” household but I don’t turn it on during the day unless it’s the digital kid’s radio. (Oh god, I can only take so much of Noggin radio.) She’s grown bored of her toys which is understandable. I’ve also discovered that she’s pretty happy rifling through laundry baskets and/or tossing the contents of our dresser onto the ground. It is an easy, cheap distraction though I’m beginning to believe that I will never have neatly folded clothes ever again. The Hubster ™ and I are considering getting her a blow up ball pit. Her favorite activity is roaming. She loooooves exploring the house but I’m not quite ready for her to be free range yet. I’m sort of waiting until she starts walking better. She does take a few tentative steps here and there now but finds crwaling to be a much faster way of getting around. As much as I am still a little sad over the fact that she’s growing up, I also can’t wait for her to be old enough to do arts and crafts. She’s still at the age where she’s more likely to eat crayons than she is to draw with them but I look forward to the day that I can get her a little table for her to sit at and draw/fingerpaint/etc.

Now that the weather seems to be clearing up and I should soon be legal to drive again (long story), I’m planning on making good on my New Year’s Resolution to get out of the house more, at least in the morning. I’ve discovered that TLE is so much happier (and the day goes by quicker) when we have actual activities to do rather than just playing at home. She’s at the age where she appreciate a change of scenery with new places to explore and new people to meet.

One of the advantages of living way the hell at the edge of the Bay Area is the fact that because it is more affordable here, there are a lot more families. And more families mean more family-friendly places to go including plenty of parks, library story times and other kid friendly activities. TLE’s not quite old enough for a park day but after a bit of research and poking around, I did find a free indoor play area which also offers free classes for parents and children. SCORE! Free is a price I like