Feel like I'm letting my toddler down.

[CautiouslyPessimistic]

My DD is 18 months. She's a sparky, shouty, bubbly little ray of sunshine and I love her desperately. But I'm 7 months pregnant and it's a bad pregnancy - serious SPD and fatigue, I'm not that far off housebound and I'm pretty incapable of looking after her by myself because I can't get up and down and move around with her. My sole contribution to parenting at the moment is sitting and saying enthusiastic things. I can't even take her to the park or playgroup any more, and I've got another 2 months left.

After that I'll have a tiny baby, so it's not like I'm going to be able to be that engaged then either. She's obviously started to prefer her dad over me. He's great so I'm really glad she's so happy with him but it's killing me. We've got a temporary nanny in this week while our childminder is away and watching them come back from playgroup all full of giggles is making me want to burst into tears.

I feel so useless, and I'm worried that I'm breaking a bond that won't recover. I miss her so much. Can anyone relate? I feel a bit alone with it at the moment.

Go easy on yourself (and her). This is a very, very short time in context. You will be her mother for as long as you both live - a few months she won't even remember by the time she is 6 or so really won't matter. And chances are you will actually be more mobile when the baby comes and can have some fun with her while baby naps in buggy/sling.

More close loving relationships with adults are only adding more to her life. She won't love you any less. Just rest while you can and forgive yourself.

I have the same age gap - DC2 is now 10m. My toddler watched a LOT of tv in the couple of months after DC2 arrived, but those weeks were all about survival and getting rest when I could. The toddler doesn't remember yesterday, never mind the 2 month tv marathon, so really try not to worry about it and get through however you can. Accept any help offered!!