Hit a wall - 2 kids

[Modestandatinybitsexy]

I have a 2 year old and a 10 week old and I just don't know what to do with them all day.

It doesn't help that our usual groups have stopped for the summer, until then I was doing ok getting out every day. But now baby cries every time we're out - or any time she's put down! - and this makes the toddler gets clingy so he just wants to be carried.

There's plenty we can do at home too but I'm just so tired! Have really hit a wall and not enjoying it today. Had a fight with DH this morning and just feel unhappy rn. What can I do to make it better?

Try and remember it’s a phase (not a particularly enjoyable one) and it will get better, schools will be back soon which means that the clubs will be back on so there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Be kind to yourself as it’s ok to be knackered and have a crap day it won’t always be like this.

Soft play can be a good option to entertain the toddler particularly as they also sell coffee and cake.

Thanks @maidenover logically I know this. I just feel so rubbish about not doing anything today but also like I can't go anywhere because I can't handle the stress of it. It makes me feel claustrophobic and agoraphobic at the same time!

I am remember feeling like this in the summer, I think if we’re honest a lot of have been like this at one point or another.

Have you got someone who you could meet up with for a coffee?

We live in quite a small village and DD cries in the car so I hate driving anywhere also if I can't tie DS down when we get there I just spend every second chasing him while also trying to bf DD.

Sorry, realised this is a super moany update. Need to pull myself together!

A few hours/ days of peppa pig on repeat can do wonders for your sanity and keeping your elder one entertained.

I know people love to frown at screen entertainment but whilst the long term implications of this as a childcare method have been studied the implications of a completely frazzled parent are no doubt worse.

If you manage a few hours of not so intense children and to drink a whole hot drink, suddenly the world feels like a different place and a better place to start making plans from.

I thought the days with a toddler and a new born were hard, the lack of sleep and energy, doh was back at work and everyone had been to see the baby and l felt alone.

How about just going for a walk to get some fresh air and having a rest. Be kind to yourself.

I used to read a book with my eldest while feeding the baby that always meant he

Sorry posted to soon

Couldn’t real havoc whilst l was feeding the baby.

Is there a nearby enclosed park for the toddler to let off steam while you watch? Or a shop for them to go in the trolley while you browse, with little one in a sling? I took my toddler to b&q for a browse the other day, she likes naming the colours on the paint swatches .

If my babies hated the car I would still drive them places - if there's nothing wrong, e.g. Nappy/hungry etc, then baby will just have to cry. You're not causing her excessive distress or pain, baby needs to learn to be in the car and you need to learn to ignore a tiny bit of objection. Baby will learn to deal with it.

Don't worry about moaning, like I said, most of us have probably felt like this at one time or another.

Have you got a La Leche League near to you? DS could play with the other children whilst you feed DD.

Have you got a sling for DD and Reins for DS too? I found it much easier to cope with both of those, my DD was more settled in the sling and DS couldn't leg it

Do you have contact details for anyone in your normal toddler groups?
Is there a Facebook group?
Because I bet you won't be the only one struggling for things to do in the holidays!

Send out a message seeing if anyone else wants to meet up with the little ones.
Open to all, but more informal than a regular toddler group.
Even if you don't know the other mums that well, it will be a great way to get to know them better and I bet they'll appreciate you taking the initiative!
Worse case scenario, the meet up doesn't happen but you've not lost anything.

Stick the toddler in a bath/paddling pool full of toys and bubbles and sit beside it holding the baby and making interested noises every so often (ideally whilst drinking tea)?

A tarp/wipe clean floor, lots of amazon box cardboard and inner packaging paper, and poster paints (for both)?

Trip on the bus - ideally a long circular route!

I can totally relate to this. Have a 21 month old and an 8 month old and I just seem to have got in a rut and feel like such a boring mum. I’m feeling guilty with how much time is spent at home and just running out of ideas of what to do. Live in an area with next to no baby groups, and even if there were - I don’t think I’d have the confidence to take my two alone. Moved to an area where I know hardly anyone and I seem to live for my partners days off where we can all go out together. Sorry I don’t have much advice but I can relate a bit at least. X

Nature hunt. My 2.5 year old asked to hunt for "animal treasure" today which is an activity that never fails to kill a few hours.
She basically gets a bucket and collects anything she likes from the garden. Flowers, worms, snails, slugs, chicken food, woodlouse, feathers, sticks, leaves. These then often are all mixed with water (and animals put into jars) and makes a stew or soup or pie with it all.
All the while I can feed or hold my 5 month old and just wander around after my oldest going oh wow! What next? Oh really? And the usual interested noises.
Makes me feel a little bit less like a crap mum and more like I might actually be giving her a decent childhood 🤞👍

I had two under two! Tough times. I made a treasure map a few times round our street, went to park, went to friends, let the 2 year old watch CBeebies over and over. Pottered in the garden. All the while baby was in a sling (was bf so easier in a lot of ways).
It's hard but does get better. Be kind to yourself (and drink lots of gin 🤣)