Two year old is bored with all his toys

[Anonymous]

Earlier nap OP. 2 pm might be totally out of the "window." I would do 12:45-1:00, given he's waking up at 7:00. Perhaps it won't change things, but worth a (real) try.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for all the suggestions, they are very helpful!

Re: the nap, he stopped napping when he turned 2. He would refuse to go down for his nap, which used to be 2.5 hours every day. We do quiet time instead, where I put books and toys in his crib (but he immediately tosses all of them out), and he stays in his crib for one hour in the afternoon. However, instead of resting he does gymnastics in his crib, jumps up and down, etc. for that hour. No not exactly resting and he doesn't nap at all.

I have a very long day with him--I am a SAHM and I'm with him from wakeup until spouse comes home around 6 pm or later. He wakes up at 7 am (spouse is already at work by then). I prefer for us both to be out of the house every morning, and now that he no longer naps we can stay out longer, so we usually eat lunch out after the playground or whatever and are home by 2 pm.

Our morning activities are going to the playground several times per week, library, gymnastics class, Mommy and Me preschool class, and weekly playgroup. We do quiet time from 2-3 pm. Then it's the long afternoon after quiet time when he is the most bored and whiny. So from 3-6 pm seems like a really long period of time to fill until dad comes home, or sometimes dad isn't home until 10 pm, so I have to entertain him until bedtime.

I will try rotating the toys, that is a good idea and something I haven't tried.

Most of his toys are blocks, cars, trucks, trains, balls, plastic animals and dinosaurs, etc. but he gets bored with those really easily.

In the afternoons we often take walks in the neighborhood or yard but we don't have any retail, library or anything within walking distance to walk to.

(1) You do not have to entertain him. You offer him some options, but being able to entertain himself for at least 10-15 minutes at a stretch is a skill he needs to practice.

(2) I think your view of entertainment is a little off. A two-year-old does not need constant classes and playgroups; he also needs time to just walk around the neighborhood and look at bugs, pick up sticks and rocks, etc. He needs some time where he has a few toys and no instructions or direction from an adult. He needs some time where he hangs out with you while you perform ordinary household chores. A two-year-old should never be bored. It might be a difficult transition, but I think you need to let go of the idea that your job is to provide constant stimulation. When he seems bored with his toys, don't step in and offer him new ones or a new activity. Let him figure some of this out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wait, there are no rocks or sticks or bugs or worms in your back yard?

+1000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Earlier nap OP. 2 pm might be totally out of the "window." I would do 12:45-1:00, given he's waking up at 7:00. Perhaps it won't change things, but worth a (real) try.

This. He IS tired and does need a nap. You are missing his window. Try 12:30 and I bet he would sleep. Two year olds need naps and they also need a lot more down time than you give him.

[Anonymous]

OP you might have to be flexible and try a different schedule. I really don't think the core problem is that your 2 year old is bored with toys - its that he is used to being entertained. I understand that you have a long day as a SAHM, but you can't be the entertainment committee all day - that is not helping you.

Try to come home earlier and put him in quiet time at 12:30-1.
If you need a break, join a gym with childcare and take him there in the afternoon a couple times a week
Get a baby pool or sprinker and hang outside.
Just walk around and look at stuff. It takes my 19 m old forever to go a block because there are constant stops for rocks and sticks and look at thats.