photo credit: Kristin Helms
Your maternity leave challenge this week is to seek out the tot story time at your library and go there. Space out a little while someone else entertains your baby with a new voice and stories.
If you’ve looked into a baby gym or Gymboree and thought it was too expensive, or too much of a commitment, try this; it’s free!
Protip: Double check the time before you go. And, hey, be on time. If you’re 5 minutes late, you’ll miss half of it.
This is your eighteenth challenge. See a list of all the activities for new moms we’ve generated.
Did you complete this new mama challenge? Share your story.
- Comment below and spill the details. Library story time is not for everyone so be honest.
- Tag us on instagram or tweet at us with the hashtag #rookiemoms
- Share a picture with us on Facebook.
[Photo credit: Becky Senf | Fun fact: Nick, pictured above, was one of our earliest rookie baby readers.]
As a children’s librarian, I like the fact that you are reminding people that public libraries offer children’s programming. On the other hand, please don’t encourage your readers to “space out” during programs. It’s insulting when parents don’t pay attention during programs.
The SFPL also has “Storytime/Lapsits” at all their branches. Follow this link for a list of current events. I might also add that juveniles don’t pay late fees on materials. The items must be checked out on the child’s own card, and if you lose the item you still have to pay to replace it, but if it’s returned overdue there is no fine.
I attempted to do this a few weeks ago…only to find that our local library doesn’t offer programming until children turn TWO!
This was one of the first outings I did regularly with my daughter. She was terrified of all the songs and activity at first, haha. But it was such a godsend for me. 20 minutes of singing and usually an hour of moms and dads lingering to chat with each other. As a new SAHM I was desperately lonely and it gave me a connection to other adults. We also learned some fun songs to sing at home and in the car. Chatting with other moms also clued me in to other activities not only at different branches of the library, but local playgroups and baby “classes” I hadn’t known of before. My daughter is to go-go-go anymore to enjoy these programs, but I think another year from now she’ll enjoy them again and I know we’ll be back!
This was my go-to activity when I had my first two. I haven’t been back for story hour since having the third, but we still frequent the library every few weeks for books and DVDs galore. There is nothing that entertains them more or longer than a pile of new books to sort through and a special new movie.
Love, love, love the library!
Great challenge!
My 2 year old son still is not a fan of storytime. I wish he was, the library is convenient and free! We try every couple of months but after the first story/song, he bolts for the door and the children’s-height water fountain.
My daughter LOVES storytime! At first she was so shy and wouldn’t leave my lap, but now she gets up and dances and watches the other children. She has started babling more and trying to talk a little better so it’s also great for her development.