To be finding this exhausting?

[letitpea]

The lockdown. I'm a single parent to 2 small children. Their dad has them 2 days a week currently. I work from home on those days, cramming in as many hours as I can. The other days, I am with them on my own.

I'm not complaining about being at home with the children, I'm really enjoying it, as normally we only get Saturday's with no school, pre school or work. So it's nice, we've had loads of time in the garden, we live rurally so don't have crowds of people.

But they do not stop! Today was typical, in that one got up at 6.15 , the other at 6.30 ish. They fell to sleep at around 8.15 (I was hoping for earlier! )
And now I can't be arsed to do anything but there's washing up and cleaning the kitchen floor (filthy from in and out of the garden) and Easter stuff to surprise them tomorrow (just a few decorations and hiding some things in the garden). I need to have a bath. I haven't eaten much today so am hungry. And tired.

It's a struggle to get any time to myself to do anything and by the time they're in bed in knackered! And in 10 hours it starts again. How do they do it???

Any tips on how to manage? I normally have 1 day a week whee I can either really get on with a few things or have a bit of time relaxing, or even a bit of both but now it's just not happening. I know lots must be in the same boat.

It bloody is exhausting, isn't it? There are two of us, but trying to fit in work with no childcare just means it's non stop. I salute you doing it yourself.

We have screen/quiet time where I can clean up or indeed just sit down myself with a cup of tea. The gruffalo and co are available on iPlayer.

I've been vaguely trying to keep to their nursery routine, but I've accepted that it's just not normal business, so too much screen time in the short term is okay.

I have signed up to all manner of groups on Facebook with kiddie activity ideas, basically trawling for the minimal set up/minimal supervision ones. You do have to trawl through lots where people have way more time than you, but there are usually a few things that work.

Things that have bought me peace and quiet with minimal effort:

Setting up a tent or den with blankets and throws
Littles toys frozen in a block of ice for them to chip out.
If you've got hard flooring, give them a bucket of soapy water and a sponge and get them to clean skirting and kitchen cabinets
A roasting tin with a couple of scoops of rice and some kitchen implements etc.
Small obstacle course using whatever you have to hand, you need to supervise, but not always participate which is nice.

And most importantly, ignore anyone saying "enjoy the slower pace of life".

Good luck!

You NEED to make sure you do things for yourself and don’t be martyrish. I’ve been in your position and I know you don’t get awards for going unwashed and unfed, and nobody else cares so you have to put yourself first. Run a nice bath and get in it with the kids! Ok so it’s not a relaxing soak but you can lie back and they will love it, it takes ages, you know where they are and you’re at least clean. Make meal times an occasion. Set the table nicely, get the kids to make menus or table decorations. Make a proper meal, and if they’re fussy eaters put bread and butter on the table and don’t stress if they don’t eat - if they leave theirs stick it in the fridge and you’ve got lunch for yourself tomorrow. Set aside an hour or so for TV time in the afternoon and make yourself sit down with a cuppa and biscuits and read or something. You’ll feel less bad about screen time if it’s a distinct part of the day. Video call grandparents or friends. But don’t feel bad about forming the day around what YOU like and making them fit in. If you like to draw, do that while they colour in. If you play an instrument, or do a craft or like to exercise, you can do all those and include the DC. It’s not the same as doing it nicely in peace in your own but it helps you feel less beaten down by the day.

Another very easy idea for outside is give them a pot of water and paintbrushes and let them “paint” floors and walls. It’ll dry in minutes and keeps them occupied for ages while you have a coffee and enjoy the sun!