How to multi-task motherhood

All babies are different. I’m now on my third and I can confidently say that none of my kids have followed the same pattern. My oldest was highly independent from the very beginning. He didn’t really like to snuggle too much and he was content to play on his own. The girls have been a different story, they like seem to hate the thought of not being included in whatever I am doing. The strategies that worked with my oldest when I literally used to work and hang out with him, don’t work with our latest addition, so here are things that I have found give me a little wiggle room to multi-task when I’m home with the kids but still want to work on some of my projects and hobbies.

1. High Chair that is desk height – We have the Baby Trend adjustable height high-chair with recline. Since Baby #3 loves to be near me and involved in what I’m doing I have been throwing her in the high-chair and having her sit next to me while I work on things on the computer. I attach a couple toys to it and let her hang with me.
2. Quilted Play mat – Any quilted playmat that you can easily fold up means you can have a play gym or hang out spot for baby no matter where you need to be. If your baby is just starting to figure out rolling and can’t quite control their turns it could be worth trying to set-up on top of a rug or carpet. Otherwise this has made it very easy for me to get baby set up no matter where in the house I want to be.
3. A do everything soft play cube – We have Melissa and Doug’s Farmyard Cube but any soft cube is great for babies that are just starting to roll and get around on the playmat. it makes it so that any multitasking Mama just has to keep track of one toy that baby can spin and turn and yes, even gnaw on. Grab your mat and your cube and your off to the next room or adventure.
4. An oversized armless desk chair – I have a chair with a wide seat and no arms. it’s not only good for my restless legs but it has plenty of room for holding babies, toddlers, heck even first graders while I do stuff at my desk. As I type this I’m holding a sleeping baby.
5. A hanging toy with teether – Having a little hanging toy with a teether that I can hang off of almost anything is great when I’m trying to distract the baby and get a couple extra minutes to finish a task I’ve been working on.

Let me know what tools of the trade you use to keep baby entertained while you do your stuff, whether it’s work, hobbies, or chores.

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