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Original poster

To hate this time of day

10 replies

cutitopen · 15/09/2026 16:34

Toddler back from nursery

tired and demanding and fretful

DH working and toddler trying to get to him and I’m trying to stop toddler

it’s about two hours and I swear it lasts doubly that. Or triple.

OP posts:
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whippersnapper55 · 15/09/2026 17:38

Oh god, I remember the witching hour 😩 when they're tired and grumpy and you're counting down the minutes til bedtime! When all else failed I used to stick them in the bath with a load of bubbles and bath toys - it always cheered them up a bit and I could clean the loo and sink while I supervised!

Batties · 15/09/2026 17:24

Ah, the witching hour

Original poster
cutitopen · 15/09/2026 17:23

Problem is at this time she’s just not up for anything. The park would involve a car journey and I’m not sure either of us feel like it. DH is a whole other thing and when he’s working he’s just so into it nothing else exists. She won’t watch TV or do much of anything, just throwing herself around, crying over nothing and trying to climb on furniture etc.

OP posts:
DramaAlpaca · 15/09/2026 17:21

I used to call it the witching hour. It was a long countdown to bedtime!

OverpricedCupcake · 15/09/2026 17:04

Toddler snack and tv program?
Perhaps not ideal but it will make your life easier, and theirs.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 15/09/2026 17:02

Can your DH work elsewhere as the toddler trying to get at him and you having to prevent this seems very stressful?

Or is there something you and toddler can do in this time - go to the park or similar? Even if this means DH has to make the dinner

Original poster
cutitopen · 15/09/2026 17:02

Katherineryan1986 · 15/09/2026 16:51

You need to find some tasks to do to fill this time. I know toddlers only have a short attention span though.

I recently saw a couple of things you could try. One was putting golf balls in a pan, giving the child a spoon and asking them to put all the balls into another pan which is a few feet away. Another, was an outside task, give them a tray of water, a roller and ask them to ‘paint’ the wall or fence.

I appreciate these aren’t going to fill all the time every day, but it’s a start.

I can’t see her going for those if I’m honest. Too tired and grouchy.

OP posts:
WhatNoRaisins · 15/09/2026 16:58

I feel your pain. When mine were toddlers I'd always used to think if be fine if we all went to bed at 4pm. It does feel twice as long.

Katherineryan1986 · 15/09/2026 16:51

You need to find some tasks to do to fill this time. I know toddlers only have a short attention span though.

I recently saw a couple of things you could try. One was putting golf balls in a pan, giving the child a spoon and asking them to put all the balls into another pan which is a few feet away. Another, was an outside task, give them a tray of water, a roller and ask them to ‘paint’ the wall or fence.

I appreciate these aren’t going to fill all the time every day, but it’s a start.

Moonnstarz · 15/09/2026 16:37

Ask DH to work elsewhere?