6-9 months is tough--not really big enough for activities, but too big to just sit around all day. Things I do with the kid at that age:

Sensory bags
Sensory books
Songs/finger plays (too young to get it, but it's fun to watch them gradually figure it out)
Start teaching baby signs
Read poetry/nursery rhymes

Things I do as a nanny to pass the time:
Make and freeze homemade baby purees
Research activities/outings/organizations in our area
Research developmental milestones and activities that bolster them
Work on a portfolio of ideas for activities later on

I think getting out to an activity or errands twice a week sounds reasonable, but yo could talk to them about expanding to 3 days per week and maybe adding some time outdoors on the other two days (if it's cold and dry, you can at least walk outside for 5 minutes for fresh air and vitamin D--helps with cabin fever an helps baby nap better!

I listen to audio books. My little one is only three months so he does not know any of the words but will sometimes perk up at interesting noises. It really saves my sanity.

Except on the coldest days, you can take the baby out if you wear him - using a sling, baby bjorn or Ergo. If his parents have one, ask if you can use it, and ask to have them show you how. That way the baby is warmer because he's snuggled close to your body for warmth, and it also keeps people from touching and grabbing at the baby with germ-y hands. Of course, when it's snowy or icy you have to be very careful, but let's hope there isn't much snow this year!

Indoor activities:
Sensory activities from pinterest
dancing to various types of music
using washable paints or markers or large chubby crayons on large paper is fun - either tape it to the floor or onto the high chair tray.

Anonymous wrote:Can you offer to do grocery shopping for them? When my DC was that age, he loved going to the grocery store, and then you're offering to take a load off them.

Do you know why they're concerned about you guys going out? Is it exposure to germs, something else? Regardless, I think the key thing is convincing them to increase the number of outings.

I feel for you - when I was on maternity leave, I would go crazy if we didn't go out **at least** once a day, and I'm having trouble keeping my toddler entertained just in the evenings after I get home now that the weather has turned cold and dark..

Grocery stores are great, but I wouldn't volunteer to take on any extra chores you do not plan to continue. If you want to grocery shop year round ask.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If he is not mobile why are you giving him food?

You can start food at 6 months. Not all babies will be crawling by then. Sitting up is the requirement for BLW.

Thank you. For some reason not mobile translated to newborn in my head and I was thoroughly confused, but you are correct.

Personally, I wouldn't recommend going to the parents with a ton of classes. Infants do not need all that.

Maybe 1 possible 2 at the most for the music and play classes.

Look up sensory activities for infants. Pinterest has tons and there are a few other websites with ideas.

How old is your little guy that might help us come up with suggestions.

Hang in there this phase will pass.

I disagree with this. The point is to find ways to get out of the house, which is harder in the winter. Classes are an option, but so is going to the mall to walk around, a museum, etc.. I think you need to talk to them. 12 hours indoors all winter, just to go home to your house at night sounds miserable to me.

No the point is nanny is bored and she needs ideas. The activities that she listed are great, but sounds like she needs new ones.
Begging the parents to go out 5 days a week for an infant just doesn't make sense.
Babies don't need that much.
Maybe one class or possibly 2 .
It is hard loading up an infant for a class. Plus's there is nap times, and oddly enough those classes are usually planned at nap times.
There is also flu and other illnesses to consider at this time of year. Play places are germ factories.
You can still take walks during winter, so it's not like you have to be trapped inside.
It,s challenging yes but hardly a death sentence.
I know I have cared for many babies, with 12 hour shifts during the winter.
This isn't a winter thing this a nanny better suited to toddlers and older thing.

I sympathize with you! The days can get so long with a little one indoors in the winter.

For my 3 kids, I signed us up for various classes (like Gymboree, My Gym, and county classes) just to give us something to do. The classes were more for my benefit than for that of my kids! The benefit was that it gave us some place to go out of the house. If we lived in a mild climate, we could just visit playgrounds and parks. But when you live in a cold climate, I think that these classes are a must for helping the parents/caregivers have something to do.

I would explore the county rec class options if possible.

I would talk to the parents. It's possible that they don't realize how long the day feels with a little one day after day. I can say this because I worked full-time after my first child was born. Then once I decided to become a SAHM, I realized what a true challenge it was to take care of a little one on weekdays.

Can you offer to do grocery shopping for them? When my DC was that age, he loved going to the grocery store, and then you're offering to take a load off them.

Do you know why they're concerned about you guys going out? Is it exposure to germs, something else? Regardless, I think the key thing is convincing them to increase the number of outings.

I feel for you - when I was on maternity leave, I would go crazy if we didn't go out **at least** once a day, and I'm having trouble keeping my toddler entertained just in the evenings after I get home now that the weather has turned cold and dark..

It is definitely difficult in the winter time when you have such a young baby, but there isn't much you can do about that. Most classes really won't benefit him at such a young age. I was in the same position last winter, and I honestly just did what I had to do to get through the day. Last year winter went by so slowly, but now I'm having a blast with my charge, and expect it to stay that way even when it's cold outside.

Once they're older you can continue going on walks even when the temperatures lower a bit. We still have lots of fun, just bundled up!

Just do what you have to do to get through the days now, and things will definitely get better. Maybe ask your MB what she does with the baby when she is home with him, or ask if it would be possible for you to have one more outing per week. Good luck!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If he is not mobile why are you giving him food?

You can start food at 6 months. Not all babies will be crawling by then. Sitting up is the requirement for BLW.

Thank you. For some reason not mobile translated to newborn in my head and I was thoroughly confused, but you are correct.

Personally, I wouldn't recommend going to the parents with a ton of classes. Infants do not need all that.

Maybe 1 possible 2 at the most for the music and play classes.

Look up sensory activities for infants. Pinterest has tons and there are a few other websites with ideas.

How old is your little guy that might help us come up with suggestions.

Hang in there this phase will pass.

I disagree with this. The point is to find ways to get out of the house, which is harder in the winter. Classes are an option, but so is going to the mall to walk around, a museum, etc.. I think you need to talk to them. 12 hours indoors all winter, just to go home to your house at night sounds miserable to me.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If he is not mobile why are you giving him food?

You can start food at 6 months. Not all babies will be crawling by then. Sitting up is the requirement for BLW.

Thank you. For some reason not mobile translated to newborn in my head and I was thoroughly confused, but you are correct.

Personally, I wouldn't recommend going to the parents with a ton of classes. Infants do not need all that.

Maybe 1 possible 2 at the most for the music and play classes.

Look up sensory activities for infants. Pinterest has tons and there are a few other websites with ideas.

How old is your little guy that might help us come up with suggestions.

Hang in there this phase will pass.

Anonymous wrote:If he is not mobile why are you giving him food?

You can start food at 6 months. Not all babies will be crawling by then. Sitting up is the requirement for BLW.

You need to talk to the parents. The winter months are tough. I signed my infant up for a bunch of gymboree-type classes even though I know he was young for them because I wanted the nanny to have things to do.

There are a lot of available activities in this area, some free. If you can do some research and present the parents with some options, maybe you can get more outings approved.

If they don't want to spend a lot on classes, the various county rec departments also sometimes do cheap or free playgroups.

If he is not mobile why are you giving him food?

I have no advice for you because I am in the same boat! I'm new to the DC area also and haven't met many people. I really do feel like I'm putting myself out there and trying, just unsuccessful. I'm terrified that I'm going to go stir crazy inside alone all winter!
Any and all suggestions are welcome!

The little boy I watch is wonderful. He's always happy and content, his parents are great... but me, his nanny? I sometimes get bored.

Our outings are limited - mostly because his parents, while trusting of me, still want outings limited. We go out maybe twice a week: once to the library or book store, and one day for errands. With winter ahead, I fear that these two outings will be even more limited.

I work 12 hour days with the little guy, and his (2-3) naps last an hour if I'm lucky. He isn't mobile yet. We read. We have tons of floor play time. We explore food (through BLW). I extend bath time into play time. We take walks (though that's now almost impossible). We listen to music.

But I get bored. There's only so much I can do, especially when I'm mostly confined to the house.

How do you fill your day with a little one? I'd love some ideas, maybe I'm just feeling rusty since I've taken care of toddlers or toddlers + a younger sibling for the past few years.