Constant attention

[Jellycatspyjamas]

Just having a vent, between 3.00pm school finish and now I’ve literally been called, shouted at or cried on every two minutes - I timed it. My DD is having a hard time with school transition and oh my goodness I’m feeling it. Even just sitting with them doesn’t change the level of demand - unless I have both of them on my lap (which gets harder as they get bigger), the one that isn’t centre of attention starts needing me. And I need to do things like make food and do laundry, which take way longer than they should because I’m called back to them every two minutes.

I’m exhausted and starting to dread this level of demand all summer. I know there’s no answer but to ride it out, it’ll pass as it always does but thought I’d come hear to moan at people who get that “I need you right now even if you’re 5ft away” thing that comes with attachment issues. Much better than screaming...

Is there anyway they can be of help at all, loading washing machine
Making the food, but you haven't said their age op?

Maybe a few things to do on a mat near where your working

I feel your pain. My two are nearly 3 and just turned two and I usually have a small person touching me at all times, usually both of them. I try to get them sitting on one knee each, mummy had two knees for two babies but it usually ends up with them trying to push the other one off

They are 5 and 7 so technically should be able to help but giving them jobs to do means they need me to show them what to do, watch them doing it, referee them fighting over doing it, and doing the job myself anyway.

I’ve tried getting them to help put washing in the machine, take washing out of the machine, peg socks and pants on a wee washing line, help me make dinner, help set the table, given a jigsaw to do at the kitchen table while I work in the kitchen, sticker books, colouring in, water games in the garden where I can see them - it’s all ended in tears and tantrums. If I could sit with them on me, not move and pay each one my completely undivided attention they’d both be fine. Any variation on that theme ends in one or other of them doing something that I can’t ignore like falling over, breaking something, fighting with the other.

I know what’s driving it and I know it’ll settle again in time (at which point I can usually leave them to play for 10 mins, which feels like a luxury).

No advice but huge hugs... XXXXXXX