I know each stage of parenting has its own challenges but I'm looking for some reassurance.
Have a 3.5 and a nearly 1.5 year old, both multiple allergies and severe reflux. It's an everyday battle. I was just going back to work following mat leave (and had been counting down the days) as lockdown hit so suddenly we went from having eldest at nursery 3 days and me on mat leave with baby to dh and I both wfh with no childcare. I work part time so on my working days we had to take shifts and it was a very long day. Throw shielding into the mix.
Nursery thankfully opened about a month ago but I still feel so overwhelmed. The eldest has really struggled with the transition (he was v well behaved during lockdown but that dwindled towards the end) and he's had separation anxiety at bedtime/ during the night plus his reflux has really flared. It's like he's suddenly realised that he has his own mind and everything has become a battle. Lots of hitting and aggression. I'm finding it difficult to be consistent when dealing with him. Recently introduced the time out step but it doesn't phase him much so we are trying to focus on rewarding the good and ignoring the bad but a lot easier said than done!
My 1yo has settled into nursery well but his tantrums started during lockdown. The first one ever lasted 40 mins ! He's cutting his molars and he's never been a settled baby with his medical issues so it feels very relentless.
I know lockdown has been hard for everyone and having two close together isn't easy either but please tell me it'll get better?