SAHM need ideas/help/inspiration/motivation

[wheredidIputmypen]

Really finding being SAHM to 1 and 3 year old tough. 3 year old goes to nursery (school hours) 3 times a week but I am finding it difficult to entertain him when he's at home. He will not leave my side which I find full on. He and his brother aren't at the stage where they play together - just tear into one another and scream.
We might go to park/library after nursery but sometimes the thought of the playground again makes me want to weep.
Please, any suggestions as I feel like I'm getting it all wrong.

[Scotinoz]

Mine are a little older than yours at 2.5 and nearly 4, but I remember 1 was a hard age. Not a baby, but not a toddler.

I find that getting out the house every morning and just pottering in the afternoons works well for us. Also finding a morning activity that they can both do is a bonus. Playgroups are pretty good for that - different toys, older one can crash around, baby can potter, and there's always tea and biscuits. I don't care much for the adult social aspect, although I've met some nice people, but it's good entertainment for the kids. Messy play sessions also cater for both age ranges which is good.

So, i get out and do something in the morning - some days all 3 of us, and some days the eldest is at preschool. Home for lunch usually, but sometimes in the park etc. I have a strict 'rest hour' where both children are in their room - the eldest plays, and the youngest sometimes sleeps but sometimes plays. Rest finishes at 2/2.30 depending on how the day is, so there's only a couple of hours until dinner! Lego, park, library, playdoh, drawing, small world, playing cafe, baking (occasionally), in the garden, reading, camping under the table etc. We spend 10minutes putting toys away, and then I let them watch TV for 30minutes while I make dinner.

I try to encourage them to play by themselves because it is good for them. I do a lot of "Well you set the Playmobil people out and I'll be back in 2 minutes after I put the washing away"

When my youngest got a bit older and they started playing together was a huge milestone.

[InDubiousBattle]

My days are structured very much like Scotiniz's, we either go out or the dc have pre school every morning then generally have the afternoons at home. It is much easier for me as mine are 2.5 and almost 4 years and will play together a bit, they will also both nap for 2 hours a few days a week. We do a lot of den building, lego, happy land, building train tracks, reading and jigsaws. One day a week we bake, one day a week I get all go the craft stuff out. I often try and get them to help make tea so we have wraps or pizzas that they can easily help with. Sometimes we go into our nearest town and meet dp for tea out.

[wheredidIputmypen]

Thank you for the replies. My eldest doesn't nap and won't spend any quiet time in his room. He won't be anywhere other than the room I'm in (unless the tv is on or he has a friend to play - then will play upstairs). Toys/games wise he will play with me (jigsaws and reading mainly) but I find it hard to do that for all the hours we're at home especially with a younger one to occupy too.

[InDubiousBattle]

On days we're at home but ds decides he doesn't want to nap I put him on the sofa with a blanket and a film whilst I do an on line shop or mn, so we both have some down time.

It's strange but ds used to be reasonably good at entertaining himself for short spells (much as dd is now)but now he too wants to be with me and have my input much more. I try to involve him in stuff that needs doing too, helping put washing away etc.

[Sarahh2014]

This is me but my 3 yr old hasn't got a brother to play with I struggle to entertain him when not at nursery

[deplorabelle]

Trips out on public transport to free museum / different shops / garden centres / different parks or anything really. They will probably spend the time marvelling over the litter bins or fire extinguishers so the change of scene is mostly for you. And there's all the minutiae of bus tickets and money and "why did the machine go beep?" to talk about so it's very educational at that age

[Scotinoz]

deplorabelle garden centres!! How did I forget them. Brilliant morning out 😅 A lot of them do a 'club' - £10 ish for a year with a couple of 'free' coffees each month.

[junebirthdaygirl]

Would he play up at the sink with plastic cups etc for a while.
Or maybe for Christmas get an indoor sand box as that is popular with that age.

[BellyBean]

I follow @teaching2and3yearolds on Facebook, lots of crafts and activities to keep them busy.

[ODog]

Im also a SAHM with a 3 and 1yo. It is hard as the 1yo wants to do all the stuff the 3yo is doing but often can’t or with wreck what he’s trying to do so they just end up killing each other.

I try to get out to playgroups, Park, shops, ducks etc with them (or just baby on the mornings DS is at preschool). The. Home for lunch and nap for 1yo (she’s 18m if that’s relèvent) and playing with DS. Then pottering/jobs/garden/playdoh in the afternoon.

Tv while I make dinner. The dinner, tidy up, bath, what’s left of CBeebies and bed in quite quick succession.

I tend to reserve puzzles/brio/duplo for when baby is napping.

HTH

[wheredidIputmypen]

Thank you. All really helpful messages. I've had a shake around of the toys and put the ones 3 year old is interested in out so he can see the ones he likes.
Also involving him a lot more in 'helping' which floats his boat.