When a new baby arrives, it is hard to figure out exactly what you should do. What can a young baby do? Where can you go? It oftentimes doesn't get much easier as the child ages, either. This is where the Rookie Moms come in.

Two moms, Whitney and Heather, compiled a list of things for moms to do with young children and by themselves, as well. The list started covering the first year of a child's life and now encompasses activities that appeal to kids ranging from newborns through preschoolers, with over 1,000 different ideas listed on the Rookie Moms website. They also wrote a book which has become for many people a staple of their repertoire for baby shower gifts: The Rookie Mom's Handbook: 250 Activities to Do with (and Without!) Your Baby.

I am a big fan of their recently-redesigned website, which makes it easy to find activities based on your child's age. Just click the appropriate age button on the home page and - voila! - you have ideas of things to do with your child. Here are a few of my favorites:

• Activity #295: Write a "did-do" list - There are many days as a mom where I feel like my to-do list is neverending and that I can't accomplish more than one or two things off of it each day - if any at all! The idea behind writing a did-do list is to list all of the things you did accomplish during the day. Everything counts. Shower? Fantastic - write that down! When I did this activity, it made me feel better, actually made me motivated to get more done so I could put it on the list, and allowed me to look back at the day laughing as I read things like "read books in the bathroom for 45 minutes with potty-training toddlers" and "changed poopiest diaper ever seen."


• Activity #324: Photograph a day in the life - Although many of the activities that moms and babies do seem mundane, especially during the first few months of life, it is precisely those activities that make up life at this age. Documenting them with photographs is a great way to celebrate life with young chidren, and although feeding the baby a bottle might not seem all that exciting now, it will be a heartwarming image to look back upon.


• Activity #1034: Count the days with a paper chain - A great, visual way to help children count down to a special day or activity is with a paper chain. Sure, you can count down to big events like birthdays or holidays, but don't forget other fun activities, too! You and your child can count down to the chance to wear underwear, the move to a big kid bed, or a special trip to grandma and grandpa's house. Right now, we are counting down until our vacation to Arizona in a couple of weeks.

These are just three of the many great activity ideas on Rookie Moms. Thanks to Heather and Whitney, moms of kids of all ages will find ways to have some fun! - Sara I.