Does anyone else work while being home with the kids?
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I take my almost 18 month old to a kids gym once a week and we’ve done swim lessons in the past. If you can take an hour or two away from work and get him into some activities where he’s around other kids his age? We even do playgrounds or indoor play areas at local malls to get her out and socialized with others. Cheaper than daycare
He’s behind speech-wise and socially. Like he says less words and has less comprehension. For example, my nephew can follow a simple command, like hand me the ball, but my son wouldn’t understand this. He’s also really interactive with other kids, where as my son will only occasionally play with other kids. But I feel like those things make sense because at home he just has me and I’m not always interacting with him because I’m working. But his cousin is surrounded by kids all day and has a more structured environment.
I would go to play groups. Instead of daycare. In my area every week there is a 0-2 play group. Most of the kids in there don't interact with each other they're all on independent play. Each child is different.
Is he meeting other language milestones besides the not following simple commands yet? Speech therapy could possibly be helpful. If he did need speech therapy it’s not because of what you’re doing and not doing! Being interactive with other kids can also just be due to temperament and not always just because a kid is around other kids regularly.
My son was almost the same, he wouldn't speak words only some and mostly gibberish talks. Dr said he was way behind and that he needed a speech therapy etc but that ddnt concern me because I knew that he's just slower than other kids for now being in tri langual family and that he would catch up as he grows older. After 3 he just started talking non stop lol. However, I would strongly advice games and interactions with your child. Like playdates, playgrounds, taking for a walk and showing/talking everything . I know with you working is hard but hopefully ull find and spare time playing with your child cuz its very important for his growth♡
I work from home and my kid is the most social kid I’ve ever seen. Your kid is still young to play with other kids the way we would expect them to. At this age they play alone next to eachother. We take our kid to gymnastics and swimming classes and she loves to see the other kids there. We take her to the store and have a full conversation with her to pick products for dinner(example she’s in charge of picking veggies or meat and I build the menu from there) so this helps with making her think and have a conversation and learn new words. You will be amazed how many words kids learn between 2yo and 2.5yo so you have nothing to worry about. Try to give him one small activity a day just for fun. Can be color fall leaves with paint;build a zoo with blocks and animals, make pizza with playdoh, practice the alphabet (kids love to associate the letters with an animal), count on your fingers to teach him the numbers, dance together or even create your own dance. We love This is how we Roll
I might be bias as I ran and taught in childcare programs. But if the choice is to keep baby home please take some time out to learn some child development and how to make sure baby is getting provided with interactions that stimulate development
What another mom told me is that it's important to narrate as much as you can of what you are doing, even for work. She was able to switch between whatever work she needed to do and what her daughter wanted from her and that kept her energy up ( to me that sounds exhausting!). So it all depends on individual abilities. My youngest is in a few hours preschool in the morning, that allows me some focused time to set the day on a good foot. She still naps 2.5-3 hours and then it's food prep time together ( I have a learning tower). After dinner and bath if my oldest doesn't need anything I'll either bring my ipad to wherever they are or go to my office. That is a super super perfect ideal day lol
I know it’s hard but please try not to compare. My little girl is 14 months, she has been very ‘early’ in reaching all milestones and babies older and the same age aren’t as advanced as she is, and they go to nursery, I don’t send her to nursery, she is with me 24.7, my opinion is, I don’t think anything you do necessarily determines anything with regards to their development and reaching milestones. If he is months behind to the point it’s concerning you maybe just share your worries with the doctor or health care professional for some advice or reassurance? What are you feeling he’s behind on in comparison to your nephew?