just so depressed

[tiredybear]

just shouting into the void as really don't know what else to do.

Please be gentle...reassure me that my 5yo watching hours and hours of effing TV isn't actually going to damage him for life.

have been holding it together but the last few days have broken me. am so depressed. partner is ill and therefore not able to help as much as normal.

it's freezing outside. (and inside) we have no money. we can't go anywhere as, you know, covid. No friends or family nearby as we moved to a new country a few months before covid hit. still got another week before return to work/school.

I keep trying to entice him from the TV, to play games/read stories/play outside ANYTHING...after a LOT of persuasion/arguments he'll do stuff for a while, but then wants TV again.

we are all just exhausted, missing family ( we haven't seen them for a year now) and struggling.

I feel like such a failure.

You aren't a failure, you are struggling.
Prescriptions for antidepressants have increased by 50 per cent at my sister's pharmacy com0aredtothistimelast year.
Not that medicine is always the answer.
Run yourself a lovely bath tonight, paint your toenails, try and find a bit of time for yourself. its midwinter, everyone is low, even without Covid in the mix.
Relax about your 5 yr old, he is fed and loved.
You can make things up to him when you feel better!
Do you have anyone you can tel? or even talk to online?

Don't be so hard on yourself, we're in a pandemic and the weather is freezing so outdoors activities are limited. My kids are watching heaps more TV than usual, it won't kill them!

Try to get out once a day for a walk/park/meet up, try and play one game/jigsaw. Then turn the telly on and DON'T FEEL GUILTY.

thank you for taking the time to respond and for being kind.
I'm so sick of all this shit.
I love my son so much and worry ALL THE TIME as he's an only (not by choice) so already feel I've let him down and he's lonely etc.
At least he's happy watching TV.

I think bits pretty normal for 5 year olds to want to do exactly the opposite of what you want :)

2021 will be better, and you will be able to enjoy you new country :)

Sometimes you just have to do what you need to do to get through. Guilt is a total waste of time. As long as your son is happy and healthy and communicating well then too much TV can’t do him any harm. You being at the end of your tether because you were having to entertain him at the same time as feeling low would be much worse. I agree with PP, 2021 is sure to be better and the days are already getting lighter for longer. Take care OP and please be kind to yourself.

Your not alone op my 8 year old has spent most of the last year addicted to his x box and I feel utterly rotten about it. What I will say is I drag him out for walks now kicking and screaming but he always loves it once we've been out. Don't put pressure on yourself we have never lived through anything like this and hopefully won't again your certainly not alone in your parenting x

I used to worry about one of mine, always glued to a screen he was. He is a young adult now and already earning more than I am, tech pays well!
Honestly OP, your son will be fine.
Look after yourself.

My 5yr old loves pokemon go, always keen to go for a walk if we are playing that, could you download that to do with him?