Struggling to be a stay at home mum

[sarahloula]

My dd is 2 and is a beautiful, sweet girl who I love more than anything else in the world. I have always worked full time as a teacher and went back to work full time when dd was five months with dd being looked after by dh or my mum. I am currently between jobs and don't start back full time until September so I am currently home five days a week with dd and really struggling. I try and keep as busy as possible, go out as much as possible but as she is only two her attention span is so short so an activity lasts an average of five minutes. She is also getting up early so the days feel incredibly long and I am struggling to enjoy my days at home with her. I feel incredibly guilty feeling this way as I love her so much but I miss being busy at work. Am I normal? Any tips on getting through until September?

[WinkyWinkola]

I too struggled with my first two before they started school.

I created as much structure as I could for them and me.

Play dates.

Swimming lessons.

Soft play.

Music classes like Monkey Music.

Telly is okay too!

Does she still nap in the day?

[sarahloula]

No she stopped napping at 16 months and to be honest napping was a bit of a battle sinfonia about a year. I don't think this helps as I am literally on the go with her and having to entertain her for 12 hours straight.

[notnagging]

My youngest is 9 months. I've just gone back to work but I know I will struggle in the summer holidays. I'm part time & it's the best thing I ever did.

[noisytoys]

I struggled to be a SAHM I was literally climbing the walls after 4 years of it so I got a part time job for 12 hours a week and a voluntary job for 6 hours a week to get some adult company. It was the best thing I ever did

[sarahloula]

I am currently in work on a Weds and Fri until I am back full time in Sept which has just about kept me sane but I find the five days a home with her so long (of late decided 5am is a perfect wake up time).

[GingerJulep]

Why are you doing 5 days solo parenting if DH is around?

Surely at the weekends (or whatever days it is he doesn't work) he should be doing at least some of the care or you could do some things as a family?

[Rockchick1984]

I'm a SAHM to a 2 year old. Personally I love it, but it can definitely be hard work! Try to get as many regular groups as possible, organise playdates with other mums and alternate weeks for whose house they are at, go to the park if the weather is ok (we have been known to go even in light rain - just stick a puddle suit on and take a football so they aren't slipping off the play equipment). Try to get out and about at least once every day, ideally both morning and evening.

Make a mental list of the activities that your DD enjoys playing alone (my DS plays with his cars, little people sets, noisy/tactile books, colouring with crayons etc). These are your lifeline to be able to get any housework done, drink a brew in peace etc.

Make another list of guided activities she likes. For my DS this is things like play doh, counting the change in my purse, painting, baking, reading together etc. Try to do at least one or 2 of these things each day. My DS is gradually getting a longer attention span, but I just accept that if he's bored of something then we just pack it away - I don't try to make him keep playing.

We try not to have the tv on a lot - I don't watch anything during the day and I only let DS watch a little in the morning and he watches a bit while I make his tea (easiest way to keep him out of the kitchen :) ) but some days I need to let him watch a bit for my own sanity if I'm tired or unwell. I don't think there's anything wrong with this as long as its not every day.

Sorry, this was a very long winded way of telling you to fill your days and have some structure each week