My parental leave is coming to an end soon, looking for things to do with an 8 month old!
I've got these suggestions so far but seeing if there's anything else I haven't thought of that'll be more difficult when working full time or when they get more mobile (he's commando crawling atm).
TIA!
yep its either now..or wait till 3 years.
Not really. I mean they won't learn to swim, but you can get them comfortable with water/pool environment and the most important skill at that sub 3 age: being comfortable lying on their back (with assistance at first).
Those are good suggestions! What about a short holiday/getaway? (Assuming it'll be harder to get a few days away once you're back at work.)
And what about things like zoo, aquarium? (You can of course go on weekends once you're back at work but those types of places are much quieter during the work week.)
I wish i had a step counter for the number of laps of Chadstone Shopping Centre we did during our first borns few months!
Haha yes! I’ve visited the nearest 5-6 shopping centres and can rank them based on their parent rooms
The activities listed should be still possible when you return to work.
Just spending time with your child will not be as easily possible, particularly if you can't WFH.
People still think like this?
This is messed up
Did Op say paid parental leave? What if it’s unpaid, that’ll make you look very silly.
OP: Beach is good if you can get to one. You'll spend very little time in the water, but the sensory play in the sand, rocks and around the general area is fun.
Yep he ate sand once and seemed to figure out it ain’t food. Hoping the parking situation is better once school holidays are over
They like to give it a few goes
I got into credit card churning while on 6-months parental leave for number 2 (8 years ago now). Read up on it while baby bjorning the little rugrat all around Canberra.
Haha..I thought I was the only one.
I learnt about points while doing the 2am bottle feeds while wife slept. Son is now 5 and we've never flown economy since.
Though for me it was about finding ways to pay my business expenses via card to earn points, not churning
A block of swimming lessons, possibly high intensity like 2-3x/week to get skills like rolling onto their back in the water and holding the side of the pool established.
We have a annual pass for a local wildlife park which is pretty cool to go and see the animals on a regular basis (not sure if 8 months is too young, but some of my friends started theirs then).
Little family holiday/ weekend away.
Learning to eat out at restaurants and cafes. We started this at about 6 months and his behaviour and eating is pretty good when eating out. Particularly at the places we’ve been going since he was a baby.
If you think you’ll be at home a fair bit get stocked up with baby paint, toy cars, mega blocks etc. Also consider a baby swing, baby climbing gym, soft play etc. A lot of people also get a water play table and sand pit (I deliberately haven’t to avoid the mess 🤣 and he was one at daycare, or we just go to the beach).
Also consider stuff for yourself like reading some books, time with a musical instrument (if you play) and home exercise regime for self care during baby’s nap time/s.
Parent
Things to Do While on Parental Leave?
Make lunch.
pool time
snooker is much more fun…
Go to a waterpark! They're popping up everywhere so there's bound to be one close to you.
Go to KFC
No joke I’ve been to KFC / maccas so many times he falls asleep in the car but I also need to lunch
Consider it food for thought then 😉
Assuming the kid will be starting childcare, you could start childcare a couple weeks early to get kid used to the new routine and give you a bit of breathing space and a "real" break before heading back to work.
Definitely this. This will allow you to ease them in, take let them do 5 hours instead of 8+ on their first day, etc. Some kids do not take to childcare straight away, and if that's the case you don't want to be stressing about them while you're at work.
My husband is taking some time off but good idea with easing them in :)
so when your leave is up you'll do what with the baby? Palm them off to a Grandparent or daycare to raise? Give up work for 3 years and look after your baby its probably the only chance you'll get to spend quality bonding time
Oh wow, didn't occur to me we could all just give up work without consequence. Thanks for filling us in on this secret.
Pool time <— this.