Home alone and feeling down

[Mama1993]

My husband works a lot so isn’t home until late and often busy on weekends. I have a 2 almost 3 y/o DS and am 8 weeks pregnant with my second.

I am no longer working - not because we have the luxury of not needing to but because I worked in the hospitality industry and lost my job. I could get another job but my husband is too busy really and the pay from my industry is so low that it’s not worth paying for childcare.

So I find myself at home all day just waiting for the day to end. I feel guilty that my toddler isn’t getting any stimulation and I’m bad at playing with him. But I feel so tired and depressed that I don’t know what to do.

There’s nowhere to go and nothing to do especially in the rain. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can keep my DS happy?! What is everyone doing?!

I’m sorry this sounds like a big rant but I’m just feeling a bit desperate today.

X

[Disappointedkoala]

Sorry to hear about your job. It's hard when the weather's crap but there definitely is something to be said to get the waterproofs & wellies on and go splashing in some puddles, even if it's just for 30 minutes. We try to go out every day even if it's just for an hour - we might run errands or go to the supermarket. It depends on what's open in your area but we go to the library to pick books, park & playground, swimming (just a parent & child session rather than classes) and do a weekly paid for toddler class. I never thought I'd miss cheap playgroups but I do! We'll often just go to a local coffee shop for a cake or some toast.

At home we do things like cooking, painting, play doh, reading, DD helps with the chores round the house. I'm pregnant too so there is probably more Cbeebies than I would like.

[Rubyroost]

@Disappointedkaola these are exactly the things we do.

However, it is really difficult, I'm on mat leave currentky and sometimes my nearly 3 year old just runs around and wrecks the house if not entertained. We'll not quite wrecks the house, but makes a bloody mess. Wants to touch everything, get things that don't belong to him, top you'd out everywhere but not play with them etc.
I have to remind myself that he has to be bored some of the time, in all honesty he's definitely ready for nursery but won't be getting his free hours for another 5 months. 😭

[TigerQuoll]

I'd recommend finding a part time job, even if childcare costs eat up most of the pay. Just for yourself so you can get out of the house, see people, and feel mentally stimulated. DC will probably benefit educationally from formal childcare as well. Evenings might be easier as he'll be tired, too.