I'm a working mom (married, hubby works too) and my 19 month old daughter goes to daycare Monday through Friday from 5:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. I feel really bad and guilty and am really worried about her because she is so far behing other kids her age. Granted, all of my friends who have kids my daughter's age are stay at home moms (bless their hearts, I love all of my friends!), and they are able to teach their kids during the day, but I mean, it's really bad. My daughter only says "Daddy" (still hasn't said mommy - ouch!), "Ashee" (which is the name of our cat and she calls anything with 4 legs this also), "ball", "pretty" "book", "shoe" and "see". All of the other kids her age put words together to try to make sentences, can point to colors (which mine has no clue), know baby sign language, can tell their moms what they want, and are starting to potty train. After I get off of work at 5 p.m., I come home, cook supper, wash dishes, clean, do yard work, laundry and (see below)
and then by the time I get all of that done, there's only about 20 or 30 minutes to spend with my daughter before her bed time. What are some things that I can do to get her to learn more? I just feel terrible that she is so far behind! Any moms out there who can give me any suggestions about ways to teach her in the very short amount of time I have with her every day? Weekends are usually spent catching up on everything I didnt' get doen during the week....lol. Help!
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Well, first of all don't worry so much. Children develop at different rates and stages. check out the developmental milestones chart below.
Second make whatever time you have with her quality time. Read to her, play games, identify colors, sing songs. etc. She will catch up with the others. I would also look at her daycare. Is she in a center where she is only around othe infants, or is she in a home setting where the ages are mixed. I am a family child care provider, and my daughter talked very early and seems to be more advanced in many areas because she is trying to keep up with the bigger kids around her. I also get more time to spend with everyone because I have a small group.
I hope this helps.