Does anyone else feel guilty that they don't do enough with their Dc?

[lifeas3plus1]

I'm almost 30 weeks pregnant and have a 15 month old. Most day's I'm just sooo knackered and don't feel like I have the energy for anything and I feel as though my Ds isn't getting enough stimulation during the day.

I always take him swimming one day a week which starts early so it gives me a reason to get my ass out of the door (plus his little face lights up when he see's the pool and it makes it all worth it, lol)
And on one other day I always make plans to meet a friend and her little boy for lunch then go to the park/soft play etc.

But the other 3 week day's (day's out at weekend when daddy is home) we end up stuck at home and Ds spends the day pottering around in his bedroom or the garden in the paddling pool because I just don't have the energy to take him anywhere but now I'm starting to feel guilty about it.

I'm hoping once the baby has arrived and we've all settled in then I can star being a more active parent but what do I do until then?

[Butterpie]

I think we all feel the same. I hope so anyway :S

[hopalongdagger]

Certainly feel the same at times. I try to get out at least once a day though, I just find it breaks up the day and tires DD out more. Do you have anywhere nearby that is easy to get to, even if it's just the library?

I also found it got easier as DD got older (she's nearly 2) as we could do more 'activities' at home like cooking and painting.

But I'll bet your DS is perfectly happy at home with you!

[JellyBabyLady]

Lifeas - I could have written your post a couple of months ago. I have a 16 month old and a 2 week old and the last two months of my pregnancy were spent feeling guilty that I wasn't doing enough with DD1.

Like you I was taking her swimming once a week (up to 37weeks, it was too much after that) and got to one or two baby groups in a week too.

I found that the last month was awful because she was so bored that she started to act up, I wish I had prepared a bag of new, small, cheap toys to distract her when I was exhausted - maybe you could do that?

It was all worth it though because she adores the new baby and I can do so much more with her now, even if its just at home.

[lifeas3plus1]

JellyBabyLady,

Congratulations on the new baby.

The bag of toy's sounds like a fab idea. I've been meaning to get him some of those alphabet fridge magnets because he's currently using my notice board one's and they are slowly going missing. I could start with that.

Glad to hear that all is well now though and your Dd has adjusted well to the new baby.

I suppose if I can just get through these next few weeks everything will be ok again.

Glad I'm not the only one feeling like this now though.

[admylin]

I feel the same. My 2 are older but it's the summer holidays and I'm busy packing for our move. Nothing for them to do and no break away planned. I feel guilty but can't change things. We have to move and it's for their benefit too.