Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Anyone can't sleep as dont know what to do with their toddler in the morning?

80 replies

Lelophants · 11/02/2021 02:47

Honestly so bored to tears I could cry. I dont know what to do with him anymore. For hours we just walk across rooms watch him play with the same toys. It's so slow. I used to have loads to do and now I dont know anymore. Only so much I can clean with him there. Nothing that involves my laptop. No crafts things have worked so far. Our daily walk is his nap and I don't want to change that as his sleep is my one bit of sanity.

Feel like a rubbish mum.
I've always been such a busy person.

OP posts:
CrazyOldBagLady · 11/02/2021 07:41

Yes it is once a day for exercise in England, so I would definitely use this for exercising the toddler, although it's hardly a risky exercise if you went round the block on a scooter as a second outing.

shouldistop · 11/02/2021 07:44

Yeah, I'd definitely be going out twice. Toddler needs exercise too and possibly needs walked to sleep so I don't think op would be arrested Wink

Twotinydictators · 11/02/2021 07:45

I appreciate not everyone is like this but for me routine saves my sanity. So I would break the day into chunks and drag things out a bit more than usual, so longer bathtime, don't rush breakfast etc.

As PPs have suggested I would add in another walk out the house to the local park or whatever to wear him out a bit too. You then have two focal points of the day.

After his morning walk, when he should be a bit tired and quieter, let him have 30 mins with some quiet toys with CBeebies on or something. It will take a bit of patience but eventually you should be able to train him to play quietly while you use your laptop.

Other filler activities I would go for are baking once or twice a week, colouring, sticking, reading a stack of books out loud while snuggled in bed/on the sofa and bath tub play (bit of warm water and fill with toys/ball pit balls/or no water and messy play such as spaghetti/homemade slime/playdough/bath crayons to play with). Essentially you need to find as many activities as possible that he will engage with that don't completely bore you to tears!

And if you have a partner, schedule in a couple of times a week where you are competing relived of parenting responsibilities, even if its just for a couple of hours. Times that are consistent and that you can rely on, so you know it won't be too long until your next break.

It will pass eventually, this is really tough Flowers

SnuggyBuggy · 11/02/2021 07:46

It's the once a day rule for exercise that's actually been motivating me to go out more. Doing wonders for my step count. No one is going to care about a mum doing more than one outdoor outing with small children anyway.

WhatsErFace2020 · 11/02/2021 07:47

OP you don’t say how old your DC is? For what it’s worth my toddler terror is now 18 months in FT nursery but I still struggle to keep him busy and engaged when he’s at home so I really feel for you YOU ARE DOING YOUR BEST!! please ignore the mom guilt you’re feeling.

For what it’s worth, the recent hits in our house have been cleaning the conservatory doors 🤣 I know!! I give him a big plastic bowl with any kind of no tears Bath stuff in there with a little water so it’s really just bubbles, add a sponge and he absolutely loves it, you can stick the foam letters to the windows for him to ‘wash off’ and he thinks it’s the funniest thing ever 🤡
Another has been a cheap slide I got from Argos for £25, keeps him busy and tires him out

DipSwimSwoosh · 11/02/2021 07:47

I think he needs to get out not just for a nap too. Can you go to the park earlier, and nap on the way home? Some other ideas-
Captain Fantastic on FB
Watching Julia Donaldson books on iplayer
Sticky Kids
Bubbles
Gardening
Baking - scones and biscuits are dead easy
Play dough
Paint sticks and dabbers are easy no mess
Sticker books
Wipe clean books or aquadoodle
Marble run
To be honest, I have a toddler, and if I ever get her to myself, our favourite thing is to 'go on adventures'. I pick local walks, lakes, woods, country parks, castles etc and we go off to explore. As long as she has a picnic and I pick a short walk then she is happy and so am I.

Same4Walls · 11/02/2021 07:49

Sending nothing but sympathy. I feel like I've attempted every suggestion on here and pintrest in an effort to ease the boredom.

I'm also incredibly envious of those who have toddlers who can actually toddle. Mines still not walking which makes using up his energy nearly impossible and walks are basically me pushing him round the same old parks or in a swing whilst watching enviously those toddlers who can scoot and run.

NewMumma1819 · 11/02/2021 08:01

I'm in the same boat as @Same4Walls, can't quite walk yet so can't go to the park to play etc. We also live in the middle of no where so have to drive to get somewhere decent to walk. He isn't interested in paints (wants to eat it) and doesn't yet understand crayons. Again, no help here but know the feeling. Struggle to clean with DS about, naps are a bit unpredictable and we start the day at 4.30am most days which is killing me as days seem even longer! Will watch thread with interest...

ScarlettDarling · 11/02/2021 08:05

Does he like water play? Put him in the bath with a bowl of bubbly water and a load of toys.

Dustyhedge · 11/02/2021 08:05

The age of the toddler makes a big difference. A 3 year old can do so much more than a non verbal 1 year old and need quite different things. My 1yo has tolerated lockdown quite well but now she’s coming to to 2 needs more outdoor time. My eldest was 3 during lockdown 1 and it was awful. At that age she needed a lot of exercise and social stimulation.

It does sound like you’d have a better time if he slept at home and you could get out in the morning.

Lelophants · 11/02/2021 08:06

Thanks. Mine is 15 months.

Tempted to do a second walk in the morning but feel like a hypocrit!

OP posts:
Cornetttttto · 11/02/2021 08:06

Have you heard of CBeebies? They have Toddler Club.

Pleaseaddcaffine · 11/02/2021 08:07

My little one likes o make his own pizza.. Its the Jamie flatbread recipe ie yoghurt and same weight self raising flour with a little baking powder.
He rolls I out and I help hen he adds to ping. The mess is extrodianry! But loves it and enjoys sweeping floor after as he's helping.
At 3 he keeps asking for swimming and to see people, which is sad.
I'm also nearly out of ideas as he's getting big n bored.
We also did shaving foam and food colouring in the bath as messy play-never again. He hated it and dyed everything in the house.
Honestly it's hard but your doing fabulous.

Same4Walls · 11/02/2021 08:10

@Cornetttttto

Have you heard of CBeebies? They have Toddler Club.
Mine wont sit and watch tv and gets fidgety looking at a screen so zoom calls and online activities are pointless. The best I've managed so far is him lasting 1 episode of Hey Duggee. Sad

Like a previous poster the days start early and drag until it's finally bedtime and then I'm left thinking oh yay now I can eat and go to bed myself and then I get the pleasure of doing it all again tomorrow.

switswoo81 · 11/02/2021 08:11

Cocomelon on Netflix on repeat. Fuck it. This is survival.

Cornetttttto · 11/02/2021 08:13

Rotate around the house. Do 30 mins in the lounge, then the kitchen, the dining room, hall, their room, your room, the bathroom. Set up different toys. Also second the two walks a day suggestion. My 2 year old will happily spend 35 mins splashing away in a bath!

Dustyhedge · 11/02/2021 08:22

15m is hard as a lot of the suggestions re crafts, baking will be beyond them and less stamina for walking etc but into everything. I would try and sort naps for the cot and get out somewhere in the morning. At that age mine was fascinated by shops and just needed a change of scenery. I had to go to an industrial estate last summer and after months of being stuck at home, my then 18m old had the best morning ever. It made me realise how limited her world had been during lockdown that an industrial estate was like going to Disney!

CrazyOldBagLady · 11/02/2021 09:02

Ah 15 months is tricky, as they are just walking babies really and not anywhere near as able as a 2 or 3 year old. I would recommend getting the book 'How to raise an amazing child the montessori way'. Not to stick to any kind of montessori method religiously but to give you ideas of activities to help them along and lay out your home to facilitate them.

At this age we got a learning tower as my son always wanted to be involved with what I was doing and any kind of independent play was a long way off.

He used to stand in his tower and 'help' me by putting veg away in the veggie boxes I use in the pantry, or putting carrot peelings from one bowl to another. He used to practice skills like pouring. I gave him a little jug of lentils and a cup to pour them into and back again. They make a right old mess but it can be swept or hoovered away and they can help with that. When they get good at lentils, have them pour water instead. You might need a big towel and a large tupperware box or similar to contain this at first. I used to put my son out on the patio with various containers of warm water and things to scoop and pour like a small bucket, watering can, old washing up bottle to squeeze. He would do the same this for ages even in winter until he got too cold and wet and had to come in. You do need good outdoor wear to make sure he can play outdoors in the cold.

ParadiseLaundry · 11/02/2021 09:03

Yes, 15 months is hard for walks etc I find because they can't really run around enough to generate the heat to keep themselves warm in this freezing weather! Also as pp have most won't really sit and watch TV for any serious amount of time. Two walks, you are not a hypocrite. I think it really helps to break up the day. And my tip is if you are doing a park trip do it at about 4pm as it's the afternoons that drag in my opinion!

EspressoExpresso · 11/02/2021 09:08

No one is going to lock you up if you dared to go out twice a day.

My 2 year old is very active, constantly on the go, rarely sits and watches TV any more. We will generally walk to a park in the morning before naptime and then after lunch we will drive out to the beach, local nature reserve etc.

I figure it's much safer for us to drive to the beach and come into close contact with no one, than it is to walk around the local park passing every other person in the neighborhood on narrow paths

Notashandyta · 11/02/2021 09:14

Another one really feeling it for you. With my first, every hour seemed like a day, it was such a change in pace compared to pre baby. Craft activities, even when successful, last about ten minutes and then you've still got the rest of the day to fill. That was the reason I found one far harder than two or three!
No practical tips to add except to say that you watching some grownup tv here and there wont hurt anyone and may just keep you sane.
It does get easier, hang in there. By 3 and a half/ 4, they have a lot more attention span and capabilities. All of ours watch led more tv at 2 than they did at 4, when they were dar too busy with playing and lego etc to want to watch anything.

hammeringinmyhead · 11/02/2021 09:16

Second 2 walks. Mine is 2 and a bit and we are watching a looooot of Bing at the moment. 15 months was a hard stage with slow wobbly walking but as time goes on their stamina gets better. Ds will stomp along determinedly for 90 minutes now.

Mylittlepony374 · 11/02/2021 09:20

Agree with switswoo. Netflix him. Go easy on yourself. It's a pandemic.

FreakinFrankNFurter · 11/02/2021 09:21

Definitely get out with him while he’s awake so he can get some exercise snd it kills an hour or two. (In fact if he wants to and you can face it then get out twice a day with him) Do this as well as your exercise walk while he sleeps.

Are there any toddler type music sessions on tv? My DS is 7 so I can’t remember what kind of things there are for toddlers but maybe something he can sing or dance along to, or bang instruments.

The baking kits are a good idea. I enjoy baking from scratch but I remember when DS was smaller I just couldn’t face doing it all so I bought the kits. I don’t eat them (dietary restrictions) but DS did and always enjoyed them. I used to make them in half packets so we could do it more often.

Same4Walls · 11/02/2021 09:22

15 months was a hard stage with slow wobbly walking but as time goes on their stamina gets better.

I would settle for even some slow wobbly walking. Grin It would certainly break the day up so much more if we could spend time going for slow toddler walks and it would be a nice change of pace trying to stop him eating sticks and leaves as apposed to cables, the tv remote and my hairbrush. 😂