I would take this time to do things that you would enjoy. Unless you have a fussy baby, you can do so much!

I would do stroller activities. Go to the mall and get yourself some new bras or whatever you've been putting off buying yourself. Go to a lake/river that has a path to walk on, then put out a blanket and play mat and eat lunch/read.

I would do some chore you've been putting off at the beginning of the week like a closet that needs reorganizing...then let yourself watch a new tv show or play a video game as long as baby is chilling. That way you won't feel as guilty for your leisure time.

Hang out. After my third I felt bad she and I didn’t get as much QT as me and my other kids. Now’s your chance to fix it.

Anonymous wrote:I would be lonely and wish I went with my husband.

There always has to be one of you.

This is low on the fun scale but that’s a great age imo for sorting/purging clothes. You just park them on the bed amid the pile and it gives you something to show them/hand them/talk about. And you get something done.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe a fun craft project, depending on your interests.

This thread is old. Not sure why you dug it up. OP"s week with the baby likely already happened.

Are you new? It’s still the same month/year.

It had dropped several pages back. Why randomly revive a thread with no recent responses in weeks? PP likely found it on a google search and didn't bother to check the date.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe a fun craft project, depending on your interests.

This thread is old. Not sure why you dug it up. OP"s week with the baby likely already happened.

Are you new? It’s still the same month/year.

Would you be able to take the Metro to the National Mall and go to one of the museums? Can you wear him? I did that a couple of times with my second, he hated the stroller but loved to be carried around. If you are nursing, it's pretty easy.

Anonymous wrote:Maybe a fun craft project, depending on your interests.

This thread is old. Not sure why you dug it up. OP"s week with the baby likely already happened.

Damn, if I was a working mom with 3 kids and I was about to spend a week at home with a baby who sleeps through the night, my only plans would be enjoying a quiet house and chilling. This is your shot at a week with no formal plans, activities or obligations. How soon will that come around again? Why are you trying to fill it up???

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I loved taking babies to the park at that age - put a blanket under a tree, bring a picnic lunch for yourself, lay your baby down to be mesmerized by the branches in the wind above, and no need to chase a crawling baby.

Awww, this just sparked a pleasant memory. Babyhood can be exhausting for parents especially if you have older kids. This is a good reminder to enjoy small moments.

Mine used to nap at our local beach park every single morning on a blanket under a tree. It was random at first and then we made it a daily habit. I still see that tree and remember those easygoing mornings!

Do you live near walking distance to a cute coffee place? When I was in that situation, I would lay out clothes for myself the night before and if DD woke up early, I would immediately feed her and put her in the stroller and walk straight to get a fancy iced coffee before it was too hot. Something about only having to be responsible for one person makes being up early and moving about freely feel glamorous.

Fresh air early would usually put mine to sleep and I’d get a rare long mid-morning stretch of quiet.

I would also go with baby to a place with table service for a nice lunch that someone brings to me and clears away- not a chipotle or Panera where you have to juggle food and trays and a baby.

Order everything at once and pay the check right away in case you need to bolt and then you’ll be able to relax through the meal until the baby’s had enough.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe a fun craft project, depending on your interests.

I think I misread this at first and realize now that you mean a craft for the Op, not the baby, but I laughed at my desk imagining guiding a 5 month old through a craft project, so thanks for that!

Same!