Stopping your mind wandering when with a toddler all day

[BellamyBells]

I honestly find it so depressing at the moment, mind-numbing at best. My mind is constantly on other things and I'm struggling to focus. I start thinking negatively. The motivation just isn't there anymore, doing the same things every day. Cleaning up all day really isn't fun. Near us going out is just the same old thing. It's not like I can just sit on my laptop and do other things that interest me. He needs to run around all day. :(

Are you a SAHM? If so, would you consider going back to work? I know that parenting a toddler is even harder than usual at the moment with everything closed, but it sounds like it really isn't for you.

I have a 20 month old and find that breaking my day up into sections and planning one thing for each, really helps me get through the day.
It’s relentless at this age when they are full of energy, but still need to be helped and constantly supervised.. I feel your pain.
Work backwards from the bedtime routine and work out schedule of things you can do to entertain the little one, be productive and not go out of your mind.
Don’t know if it will work for you but if you ever need to rant... I’m sure plenty of us in here will be happy to offer a listening ear!

Oh I know this feeling. Mine are older now, but I do remember, the way you can't switch off and do something else, but your mind can wander.
I found getting outside helped, also stuff like walking with the busy listening to music or something, can help

I don't think it means OP is not cut out to be a SAHM, it must be harder right now as things like toddler groups are not on. Adult company can help..

@GreenBalaclava

Are you a SAHM? If so, would you consider going back to work? I know that parenting a toddler is even harder than usual at the moment with everything closed, but it sounds like it really isn't for you.

Unfortunately yes. Constant isolation from the pandemic isn't great! It was never something I planned to do, but work has been made difficult with covid and I have nothing on at the moment.

@WobbliHead3000

I have a 20 month old and find that breaking my day up into sections and planning one thing for each, really helps me get through the day. It’s relentless at this age when they are full of energy, but still need to be helped and constantly supervised.. I feel your pain. Work backwards from the bedtime routine and work out schedule of things you can do to entertain the little one, be productive and not go out of your mind. Don’t know if it will work for you but if you ever need to rant... I’m sure plenty of us in here will be happy to offer a listening ear!

Thanks, I find afternoons easier than the morning, probably because the bedtime structure is long. Do you have a good morning routine?

I am of a similar mindset. I’ve spent far too much time on my phone today, while DD watches Peppa flipping Pig. I’m desperately bored and it’s hard not to rely on the TV for at least part of the day.
People keep saying how glad I must feel to have my older children back at school but I still have a 1yo at home, with nowhere to go and no one to spend time with.

Honestly I so empathise with this.

I’m 6 months pregnant, suffering SPD, stuck at home with a loud and frustrated one year old. Every day feels like Groundhog Day, it’s totally miserable! I start of positive, getting as many jobs/activities done as we can but by midday I’m just desperately counting down to bedtime.

Most nights I just cry at the thought of getting up and doing it all again.

I have a 19 month old and am 5 months pregnant. I just wrap him in a coat (and me) and let him potter round garden to his hearts content. That eats up about an hour. This is my kind of daily routine for him
Wake up, do some reading (me reading)
Breakfast and cbeebies while I eat breakfast and read news online
Outside for an hour ish
Back in for a Snack
Do some playdo/drawing/reading (mainly watching me do it but is starting to have a go himself)
Lunchtime for him
Nap
Wake up and a snack and some tv
Back outside for an hour or so
FaceTime the grandparents
Maybe help me with dusting or hoovering
Dinner
Bath & bed

I use radio as an alternative to tv as well as it gives him something to listen to and he likes to dance. While I tidy up after meals he does independent play or dances in kitchen to the radio! Also he loves copying and “helping” with chores so sometimes if I don’t know what to do I’ll just start a job and get him involved!

@Mummywantsaweewee

I have a 19 month old and am 5 months pregnant. I just wrap him in a coat (and me) and let him potter round garden to his hearts content. That eats up about an hour. This is my kind of daily routine for him Wake up, do some reading (me reading) Breakfast and cbeebies while I eat breakfast and read news online Outside for an hour ish Back in for a Snack Do some playdo/drawing/reading (mainly watching me do it but is starting to have a go himself) Lunchtime for him Nap Wake up and a snack and some tv Back outside for an hour or so FaceTime the grandparents Maybe help me with dusting or hoovering Dinner Bath & bed

I use radio as an alternative to tv as well as it gives him something to listen to and he likes to dance. While I tidy up after meals he does independent play or dances in kitchen to the radio! Also he loves copying and “helping” with chores so sometimes if I don’t know what to do I’ll just start a job and get him involved!

Thank you so much

@Windchangeface

Honestly I so empathise with this.

I’m 6 months pregnant, suffering SPD, stuck at home with a loud and frustrated one year old. Every day feels like Groundhog Day, it’s totally miserable! I start of positive, getting as many jobs/activities done as we can but by midday I’m just desperately counting down to bedtime.

Most nights I just cry at the thought of getting up and doing it all again.

I'm so sorry I am so in awe of you considering you are also pregnant!