how to amuse bubs

[ZooKeeper]

how do others keep bubs happy while working on computer or making phone calls ?
mine don't nap enough for me to operate right now daytimes, and nights i'm too tired.

[pebilz]

I hate to say it but I find that a half hour of dvd's usually gives me enough time to get anything urgent done. I do have a wireless connection though too so I can take my macbook outside whilst the kids play in the yard.

How old are your bubs?

[newmum2one]

My DS is not interested in tv or dvds (well except for play school :)) - when I'm working and I need some peace I get the plasticware out of the kitchen cupboard such as bowls, measuring spoons, cups etc and let him go crazy - its a novelty and usually keeps him amused... until he decides to track down his toys. His father calls him the "Investigator" so we put his toys in boxes and he has a ball getting them all out, checking where they all are etc.

I can work for a couple of hours at a time if I need to without too much disruption (just the occasional check to see what he's up to - I can hear him and he can come up to me at any time). I save up really important calls or documents for (relatively short) naptime and it seems to save a lot of time and stress.
HTH

[andie_pandie]

This is definately a issue for me also, bubs is 14mths and when he is awake he wants my constant attention.

When he is asleep this is when I make as many calls as possible and try to get my work done. I do have him in family daycare Tuesdays and Wednesdays for 5hrs this gives me time to have my meetings and catch up then when hubby comes home it is back to work again.

Bubs is not at all interested in kiddies programs, I can manage to do emails when he is awake as my computer is also wireless, gosh I would be lost without it.

These are the choices we make to be a WSHM but I would not change it for the world. Also the older kids love me being at home now and they help out whenever they can.

[Me]

DD's a bit older(20mths) but drawing. I get big pieces of blank paper laid on the ground with crayons and let her rip. I'd be lost without that!

[mogsy79]

my dd is two so when i have lots of important things to do the best thing is foxtel nick juniour channel works wonders for my days:smiliedance:

[ZooKeeper]

Thanks everyone :) that gives me some things to work towards. right now bubs is only 11wks thursday, so DVDs, playing with stuff etc are still a little way off amusing her, but we will get there. i've got a stash of kids stuff on video from time as a TV reviewer which will be gold I reckon, and art materials I am soo looking forward to introducing her to those, along with our baking tins, a drum, whateva :thumbsup:

right now i am possibly being a bit optimistic trying to get too far back into work (I'm a journo by trade and a multimedium artist and community worker also), but discovered by accident the last few nights i can be really functional from 3am to 5am right now IF I go to bed when she does, as her night feeds are businesslike on her part, and she usually does a 5-6 hour sleep from about 9ish till 2ish 3ish.

i'm also adding a few sessions of phone calls and email/internet to the day routine, she only handles about 20minute stretches, with her in the bouncy chair or on the boob (or half/half) but it's progress. she had a stretch from six weeks to ten weeks where she was really needing complete focused attention, that was a bit crazy, as her naps are usually short in daytimes and unpredictable.

meetings in town i'm not game to try for just yet, it's home based for the foreseeable.

thanks again for the ideas and feedback
feels good to know i will be back on the horse eventually :yelclap: