Trapped toddler parents: support through winter and beyond

[squishymamma]

Following on from the previous thread:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/4292353-Trapped-toddler-parents-Inspiration-and-support-needed-through-the-summer-hols

Not the most inventive name but apt I think...

@Chocolatetrifle I say make, DS isn't into crafts at all so it's a tiny scribble! I've been naughty and cheated by ordering a photo card for one relative but I know they wil keep that and frame it.

Hi all I'm still feeling really rough with covid, am still in bed.

I've got all the children on my own on Wednesday and am almost crying thinking about it. My older ones are no problem they can go to town etc and meet friends. Its my younger ones. Wednesday is my last day of isolation so we can't leave ghe house and even if we could I couldn't cope with them both, one has complex needs, uses a wheelchair outside etc we are discussing long term oxygen support etc.

So I need to have them both inside or in the garden. Sandpit works well if I'm watching the complex needs one incase sand is eaten etc. Can do indoor sand on tuff tray perhaps.

Normally if I have the children on my own we would rive somewhere like a nature reserve and meet grandparents there but i ll still be isolating and grandparents aren't really comfortable at the moment incase we give them covid

How am I meant to go from barely being able to get out of bed today to being in sole charge on Wednesday

Morning all,

Sorry to hear about FIL @Chocolatetrifle, hope he gets better soon. Re ideas, firm favourites here at the moment are painting with water, Playdoh, train set. I want to make salt dough and see what DS1 thinks of it, but obviously haven't managed yet

Welcome @tiddletoddling! We have a 22 month gap between DS1 (22 months) and DS2 (9 days ) and I think it's a great idea, a few years of no sleep while you're still used to it and then freedom!! That's how it works right?

Glad to hear there seems to be some progress on the sleep front @PinkDaydreams.

Last day here before DH starts work, DS1 has been equal parts charming and a terror. He hates that DS2 is on my knee a lot (feeding) so he tries to sit on him I try to give him lots of attention and cuddles when DS2 is finished but it never seems enough. I was the preferred parent before DS2 came along and now it's just intensified. Not quite sure how to handle it but we'll muddle through somehow!

@Plantsandpuddlesuits oh goodness that's really really hard. Sorry to hear you still feel poorly. It's awful looking after the kids when ill it really is.

Can you prep your meals, simple ones the day before, easy lunches etc all ready in the fridge or to just pop in the microwave.

Will they sit and watch a film? Get some popcorn in and treats and have a film afternoon? How old are your DC?

Will they play with kinetic sand or similar together? Sticker books?

[quote Chocolatetrifle]@Plantsandpuddlesuits oh goodness that's really really hard. Sorry to hear you still feel poorly. It's awful looking after the kids when ill it really is.

Can you prep your meals, simple ones the day before, easy lunches etc all ready in the fridge or to just pop in the microwave.

Will they sit and watch a film? Get some popcorn in and treats and have a film afternoon? How old are your DC?

Will they play with kinetic sand or similar together? Sticker books?[/quote]
Yep already decided on TV with lunch etc 🤣

Kinetic sand is a good idea they like that on the tuff tray.

I also have some Christmas biscuits to decorate they will like that just icing sugar and sprinkles. And safe to eat 😂

@Plantsandpuddlesuits just saw your post - totally understand the stress of that on top of feeling rubbish. Second all the ideas above, some days it's just about survival. I also tend to go for a lot of floor activities when I'm feeling rubbish then I can lie on the floor while they play. Like tuff tray stuff, cars/trains/whatever, colouring...crossing fingers for you feeling much better and having more energy!

DS1 has refused his nap today so tonight is going to be great fun he's currently lying on the couch next to me...question is if I risk a nap now (it's 2pm here and his usual bedtime is 7pm) or if we just put him to bed earlier. DH is favouring the latter and is determined to take him outside, we now have probably about 4 inches of snow plus plus so he's keen for DS1 to practice his skiing.

Did you manage to get your cup of tea @Chocolatetrifle?

@squishymamma he might just crash really early tonight, be prepared he may get whingier as the day goes on. What can you do though? Some days it just doesn't happen. Or he might fall asleep on the couch later, if so, a short nap shouldn't affect bedtime too much.That's a lot of snow! We have a lot of drizzle in comparison 😆. Got my cuppa in the end thank you.

Some kind of treasure hunt @Chocolatetrifle? My sister is hopefully coming over later and I have printed her some song cards to hang round the garden, DD has to find them and then she gets a small reward when the song is sung (eg chocolate coin). This is because she didnt really sing at all during her preschool nativity and I want to encourage her! For context we did nothing yesterday except watch tv & ear biscuits
@Plantsandpuddlesuits that sounds a difficult prospect to face while you are ill. I really hope you are completely recovered by Wednesday! I had quite a lot of medical treatment after the birth of DS, to make it easier I would tell DD a few days before that her favourite program (used to be bluey then) wasnt on for a few days - then when I got home from hospital Wow it would suddenly be back on and she would then be really pleased to watch it while I recuperated. You could also do that with a tablet maybe if they use them? Also I would put a few toys away and get the box out when I needed it, ditto preparing a box of nice snacks. I also used to ask for amazon vouchers for birthdays & christmas etc and spend them on a new toy when I knew I had a bad day coming up. Or a new sticker book etc. If you still feel rough could you heavily bribe the older ones to look after the younger? Its whatever you have to do to get through sometimes isnt it!

@Lostthetastefordahlias that's a good suggestion thank you! We are out of the house and at....the garden centre of course!

@tiddletoddling welcome and good luck.

@Chocolatetrifle how about drawing around your feet and then the child's feet to see who's are bigger. Make a foot outline path to follow. Can you jump from one foot outline to another. Same with hands.
Or
Draw big patches of colours and the see if you can find an item in the room that matches that colour and place on the paper. For an older child write the alphabet put and see if you can find items that start with each letter.

@Plantsandpuddlesuits does your partner HAVE to go to work Wednesday?

Oh @plantsandpuddlesuits, that's really tough, I'm sorry you've been feeling so unwell. DC and feeling poorly don't mix. Please keep in touch with us here on Weds, we can give you distance moral support. You will get through it!

@pompomsgalore I love your footprint/handprint idea, I'm going to steal that one.

Today we have mostly played with Stickers, literally the majority of the day. Nice and easy for me. In the afternoon we did make it down to my mum's, and my brother was there to and he is the ultimate funcle (fun uncle) so they were pleased. I think we went through most of her toys.

Last day off tomorrow before school, I'm hoping to make it out somewhere for a run around. DH is working so will rope in someone to come with me. I need to be brave and take both on my own but DS is a bit unpredictable at the moment

[quote pompomsgalore]@tiddletoddling welcome and good luck.

@Chocolatetrifle how about drawing around your feet and then the child's feet to see who's are bigger. Make a foot outline path to follow. Can you jump from one foot outline to another. Same with hands.
Or
Draw big patches of colours and the see if you can find an item in the room that matches that colour and place on the paper. For an older child write the alphabet put and see if you can find items that start with each letter.

@Plantsandpuddlesuits does your partner HAVE to go to work Wednesday?[/quote]
Yes he does @pompomsgalore but I'm feeling slightly better this evening I managed to make dinner.

I find it hard when I see my husband taking all the children out on his own he's done that every day since I've been ill. But he has the physical strength to carry both the younger ones if needed etc that I don't as a female.

I asked the gp about manual, handling training and she said there's nothing and just to remember to bend my knees?!
We are on the waiting list for a home nurse type thing

Luckily we have a large house and garden if I can say that without sounding bragging so everyone has space and I've just done a online shop of ready meals and easy meals for next week

anyway we have a plan for Wednesday. Take our time with breakfast etc then decorating ready made biscuits. Lunch then a film afternoon. My older ones are meeting friends for some of the day. DH is going to work through lunch I think so he will be home an hour early.

Back to school on Thursday so I'll just have my toddler so another easier, oh the guilt for thinking that!

@Plantsandpuddlesuits I'm literally counting down the days until DS1 is back in nursery, so don't feel bad

He finally gave up at about 6.45pm and hasn't made a peep since. DS2 is also asleep so we're having a nice time watching a TV series that's just come out on Norwegian TV fingers crossed it continues the rest of the night.

Hope everyone gets some sleep!

[quote squishymamma]@Plantsandpuddlesuits I'm literally counting down the days until DS1 is back in nursery, so don't feel bad

He finally gave up at about 6.45pm and hasn't made a peep since. DS2 is also asleep so we're having a nice time watching a TV series that's just come out on Norwegian TV fingers crossed it continues the rest of the night.

Hope everyone gets some sleep![/quote]
Glad he made it through to bedtime, danger naps at like 5 pm are the worst!

I'm hoping to watch some tv with my husband tonight I've barely seen him he was working until Christmas eve and then I got ill boxing day!

My toddler starts preschool soon just a few mornings.

I've had a child at-home with me for almost 15 years so will be very very strange when toddler is at preschool and I'm on my own for the first time!

I just typed a long message and my silly phone lost it! So, night all, remember you are all doing great, we can do it, another day done. Hope you feel better tomorrow @Plantsandpuddlesuits.

Sleep well everyone, hope the kids and babies all have a peaceful night.

Morning everyone, DD decided to wake up at 4.50 and DS was awake 1-4 so I am rather tired.

DD and DS are playing lovely together.... Piling up everything in DS's bedroom making a mess. I'm just leaving them to do it though as they're not fighting.

I'm meeting my MIL for a walk in the woods shortly

Hope everyone is having a good morning

@Motherofmonsters, oh that is a terrible night, you must he worn out? Hope you enjoy the walk in the woods.

@Plantsandpuddlesuits how are you feeling today?

We've been up since 5.45, blitzed the cleaning and been to the playground. Have got more motivation today than yesterday. I need to do a bit of work when dS2 has a nap then it's outside this afternoon whilst it's dry. I always think we need to get outside when we can. Fil is still in hospital as he is in ICU he is allowed one visitor which is MIL. Luckily DH was able to see him yesterday too. Back to usual preschool routine for DS1 tomorrow. He is excited. It seems so long ago that we had the tears all the time in the summer when he started.

Ooo @Motherofmonsters that sounds tough hope they go to bed ok tonight.

Hope your walk in the woods is refreshing

@Chocolatetrifle I'm actually feeling alot better thank you for asking and sorry to hear about your father in law.

today I got up at 10 which is the earliest I've got up all week and got straight in the shower and dressed (just in joggers). All this week I've just been sat round in pyjamas and getting a bath around 4pm but I wanted to get cracking on today.

Feel like a weights been lifted! Yay!!

Have been in the garden this morning hanging out washing and just about to sit down with a coffee for a rest. Everyone is out at the moment.

Hope everyone days are ok

Hello all

We had a bit of a lie in this morning (7am! A rare treat) then have been out to dispose of the Christmas tree then to the playground then kennels to pick up the dog (my toddler loves the dog). Then my parents visited and toddler got very excited. He also got hold of a pack of Christmas baubles (great fun from the looks of things) and broke one, luckily they were plastic so not very sharp.

He's napping now so getting on with some chores/life admin (our energy company went bust, we got transferred to a new provider, but they seem incapable of sorting out our billing and account properly, frustrating).

@Plantsandpuddlesuits that's great you are feeling a little bit better, hopefully you will get stronger every day now. Take it easy when you can though, difficult I know with kids.

@tiddletoddling, how annoying, hope you got your paperwork and admin sorted. Glad you got a bonus lie in though, it definitely helps.

Sleep well everyone.

How is everyone today?

DS has gone into school was less chaotic than I was expecting and we fitted in some cosmic yoga before we went.

I've finally tidied up the Christmas toys (thrown them in the conservatory and shut the door) my floor was embarrassingly disgusting and I spent about half an hour declogging the hoover but it's now looking acceptable.

Nothing more exciting to report

Well done on cleaning up @Motherofmonsters, my living room still looks a mess and we have to play dodge the raisin in some places where DS1 has accidentally dropped some...maybe I'll get round to hoovering tonight

I started on a message this morning but obviously never got round to finishing it. Now hiding in the bathroom for 5 minutes peace. Last day before DS1 starts nursery again, hurrah!

Had MIL round yesterday while DH was working as we had a plumber and the health visitor coming and DS1 was not in nursery so I was a tad worried about dealing with all that alone. DS2 decided to have a night feed rave last night so he was pretty much constantly feeding until 2am...oh how I have forgotten the "joys" of the newborn days already

DH was off today so he gave me a nice long lie in though. Another package from my parents in the UK arrived with a remote controlled car for DS1, he absolutely loves it!

Hope everyone else has had a good day. I'd better go back to the mayhem and make dinner...

Aah sorry to hear you are feeling unwell @Plantsandpuddlesuits we are in a similar boat - 3/4 of us tested positive for Covid. Both DH and I had a day ill in bed (different days luckily) and now are just sniffly, as are the DC.

On the plus side it didn't happen till after Christmas!

Luckily DC don't seem bothered about the outside world and seem happy to play with their toys and have lots of extra screen time and snacks.