Monday: what to do with your 6 month old -day home
Finding things to do everyday with a baby can be SO hard! I have started working on a weekly schedule and routine where we do something different each day and also balance between staying home and getting out of the house.
Monday is a “reset” day. It’s the longest day of the week and the start of the week where I have zero help because my husbands at work and is blue collar so working long hours. Monday is also one of our stay home days which is why it seems like the longest day of the week.
We now call it music + sensory Mondays!
I attached a loose schedule and also some DIY sensory ideas.
How to spend babies nap:
Her first nap I spend having lunch and just taking time to myself because that’s very important! Don’t forget to take time for yourself. It helps avoid frustration and burnout among other things.
Nap 2: I chose to let my baby nap on me sometimes if her first nap wasn’t that long as she tends to sleep much longer when on mom or dad.
Any extra nap time or if she sleeps on her own second nap: I’ll start getting all my babies laundry done and all her areas refreshed (new sheets, new sleep sack, straighten her playpen ect). This can also be done during individual play time.
Individual baby play:
It’s good for your baby to learn how to entertain themselves when no one is around (but I’m always close by and keeping an eye on her). It may not last long so if it doesn’t I involve my baby and she sits in her bouncer with a toy and moves around with me while I complete tasks. Some things like laundry she “helps” with-typically she will play with a sock or her clothes while I talk to her and we fold and put things away. I normally have music on or maybe a podcast or show.
Note: in the living room I alwayssss have the tv on for background noise. A lot of time it’s a kid friendly show (I posted what shows I watch on my page) or at least rated G-PG. sometimes she will watch depending on what we are doing but normally isn’t interested until Friday- more on that to come.
Anyway feel free to use this schedule and tweak it based on your own time and schedule!
This schedule helps me feel like I did a decent job meeting some of her needs and helping with her development all while also being productive on my end.
#routinewith6monthold #napschedule #babyschedule #babyroutine #musicmondays
Creating a structured and engaging Monday routine for your 6-month-old can truly make a difference in both your baby’s development and your day-to-day life. Music and sensory Mondays, as highlighted, are fantastic because they stimulate multiple senses and help your baby start to learn about the world around them in a safe, comforting environment. Sensory play is especially beneficial at this age because your baby is rapidly developing their motor skills, cognitive abilities, and sensory awareness. Incorporating textures and fabrics such as fleece, satin, ribbons, and scarves helps your baby explore different tactile sensations, aiding tactile development. Simple DIY items like a texture basket or ribbon wand are not only budget-friendly but also perfect for creating variety and novelty, which are vital for keeping your little one engaged. Moreover, sensory sounds and music activities like shaker bottles filled with rice or pasta, DIY drums, and crinkle paper sound-making encourage auditory development and hand-eye coordination. These activities offer a combination of fine and gross motor skill development, essential for this stage of infancy. Visual and movement stimulation, including watching bubbles or using a foil blanket for visual engagement, provide important sensory feedback. These actions promote visual tracking and attention span, improving your baby’s focus and curiosity. Giving your baby opportunities for individual play, supervised but independent, is also a crucial part of fostering self-soothing and creativity. Even short periods help your baby practice entertaining themselves, which is an important milestone. Incorporating everyday household items during play, like measuring cups or pot lids as baby-friendly instruments, encourages exploration in a safe way. Nap times, as explained, offer parents vital moments for self-care and productivity, such as refreshing baby’s space or completing chores while still being close to the little one. This balanced approach helps reduce parental stress and supports a healthy home environment. Remember, every baby is unique, so feel free to adjust this routine to fit your family’s lifestyle and your baby’s cues. The key is consistent, meaningful interaction combined with rest and soothing activities to foster well-rounded growth. By making Monday a “reset” day filled with sensory enrichment and music, you’re setting the tone for a positive week ahead, building a foundation for learning and connection that benefits both you and your baby.
