Good ideas. I too, hate the idea that a man who watches and interacts and plays with his child is "babysitting". Instead, he should think that he is spending quality time with his child!

But, I think that teaching your child that you can do something like sew while she is doing something else quietly would be well worth your time. Unfortunately, however, until she gets quite a bit older, your chance to sit at the machine for hours like you want are probably nonexistent! It was probably my biggest struggle--as I didn't sew very much when all of mine were young. However, now that mine are older (we have 5), I can sew and sew--but the youngest is now 14. I think in a way, it is helpful to have more than one at a time at home, so they can play together.

But uninterrupted time to focus on anything when you have a small child at home just doesn't exist for most moms.

I have 3 kids, ages almost 8, 5 1/2 and 3. I would never have time to sew if I wasn't a night owl. I stay up after everyone else is in bed so I can sew. I should add that I homeschool, so my kids are always around and our days are very busy.

Last Saturday, I was up until 3am after putting the kids to bed. I paid for it the next few days due to lack of sleep but I got something done! :)

I have 5 kids at home; but all except 1 are in school during the day. So, on weekdays, I usually try to do during naptime. Also, I usually give myself 1 day off a week of doing any housework, and so I'll sew more often then. I tend to have more time on the weekends, since hubby is home to help with all the kids/house stuff.

I just need to point out how lucky all of you are that have the sweet little darlings that will sit and play with anything for longer than 30 seconds!
No amount of teaching is going to make my boy want to sit still, though he has no problem entertaining himself. I can't take my eyes off him for more than 30 seconds or I will regret it when I see the mess I have to clean up. I keep telling myself he is curious because he is smart. LOL

My little one has days where she can play alone just wonderfully and I can get some stuff done, but they are rare. I had one day this past week where she played all day and made the scarves for her teachers. But like I said those are very rare days. Usually I sit and about 5 seconds later she is trying to climb in my lap or trying to turn all the knobs on the machine while I am sewing so I have to get up and go play for a whle and try again later, which usually turns out the same.

I raised 3 children, worked 5 days a week, keept a clean house, laundry done twice a week, weekend activities for children (horse shows, fishing, camping, 4-H, Scouts) DH worked nights. When I wanted to sew my 3 were right there with me, toys on floor,cutting area (when I wasn't cutting) painting, coloring, or if they wanted, sewing, never took them to a sitter or to grand parents. At that time we did't have time off from being a Mom LOL my three learned to leave the sewing machine and Iron alone! Untill I taught them how to use it. Then never complained about waiting for me to pick fabric, or doing anything else. If they started fussing or screaming I just stoped what I was doing and took them home, we live out in the country, going to town was a treat for all of us. Only had to do that twice, child #3 learned by watching . LOL Nap time and after bed time were for suprise sewing.

She is getting somewhat better but there are days when I can't sew because she won't play alone, even with the fabric, marker, rulers, etc. Just wondered how others do it. Most seem to be night owls but I still tire easily after my surgery almost a month later...I don't thing getting a sinus infection helped any. Maybe once we all get better, things will calm down and I can sew more while she plays. I do let her "sew", but I do it all while she sits in my lap. It is usually the piece of fabric she has been playing with.

I think we lived the same life! LOL
when my kids were small my machine was set up in the dining room. the kids played around me, and occasionally one would be in my lap as i sewed. In the evening i would do handwork while they had a snack and watched TV before bed. My DH worked nights at the time and I worked early mornings so we had to coordinate our activities so one of us was always home for the kids. If there was a big project I needed to get done-say Easter outfits- he would be on "Dad duty" all day so i could sew. If he needed extra time to work on something, I would do the same-kids knew who to go to and who not to interrupt

My son is 3 and a whirlwind. He goes to pre-school two days a week for 2.5 hours. I try to get my housework done during school and then when he comes home and naps I sew for a little bit. Or I sew in the evenings after dinner. My husband doesn't care for that too much but, oh well. I need my sewing time.

I like the idea that the previous poster had about having Daddy take the kidlet out for some one on one time. We may have to get that started here.