How can i survive this ?

[zootrop]

In the house with toddler aged 2.

We are self isolating due to positive case at nursery.

I just tried to do a video zoom call for a medical appointment and it was a disaster , toddler climbing all over me, screaming , crying trying to grab it . This was despite me setting him up with a laptop to preoccupy him, giving him my phone with YouTube on and some chocolate . I thought surely he can just play with this and give me 10 minutes but no. I was totally frazzled and have re arranged the appointment .

I am working 2 days this week 12.5 shifts and whilst my partner will be looking after him I still will be in the house on calls all day immersed in the family home surroundings , feeling as though I am getting no break whatsoever .

This pandemic sucks
This way of living is disgusting

I think you need some perspective.

How can you survive this? The way of living is disgusting?

It's hard, but you have a partner, are only working 2 days and have 1 non-home schooling child. You'll be fine. No one died.

I did wonder if I had missed something but I am in the same boat as @RoomOfRequirement. Doesn’t sound like fun but to ask how you can survive it seems very OTT. And definitely not a disgusting way of living, just a not ideal situation but at the very mild end of them!

I had some similar feelings today. I have 5 month old twins and a 3 year old and I was moaning to my friend about spending my while pregnancy and maternity (by the time lockdown ends) in lock down. She then went on to remind me (inadvertently) that her dad is dying of cancer and she is unable to go see him!! I think put my complaints into perspective. Yes it's hard :( but we have our health. I'm even getting the vaccine tomorrow as I'm a healthcare worker. I struggle to find the good things in life sometimes.

Keep going mumma! You got this!

Edit :my friend who's a single mother of 3, one of which is disabled.

It is all shit. I've been at home (DH is not working at home ) working a fairly stressful job and trying to homeschool 2 children, one whose in reception and not much more than a toddler himself. I think it's ok to say it's shit because we're all aware there's always someone worse off

I think the issue is you feel angry and trapped. Regardless of how bad your situation is compared to others, the way you feel is what matters. It's such a cliche to say about positive thinking OP but what I will say is that thoughts become feeling. And what you choose to focus on is what will grow. Positive or negative. Realising that really helped me.

Pandemic aside, isn't that just normal life with a toddler? It was for me when mine were little; couldn't afford childcare and trying to set up a business. Thank god for Cbeebies!!

@Alexandernevermind unfortunately my son wouldn't sit and watch the tv. Like I said he wanted to be all over the laptop.

Pre pandemic I would be attended my consultation in person and have arranged childcare .

@angieb89

I had some similar feelings today. I have 5 month old twins and a 3 year old and I was moaning to my friend about spending my while pregnancy and maternity (by the time lockdown ends) in lock down. She then went on to remind me (inadvertently) that her dad is dying of cancer and she is unable to go see him!! I think put my complaints into perspective. Yes it's hard :( but we have our health. I'm even getting the vaccine tomorrow as I'm a healthcare worker. I struggle to find the good things in life sometimes.

Keep going mumma! You got this!

I have a nearly 5mo and a 7yo. I’m lucky in that I’m not trying to work and home school and look after my baby but each day is bloody hard work. I’m lucky in so many ways: I don’t know anyone directly who has died from covid, my DH is WFH so I can sit DD2 on his lap for a few minutes here and there, we’ve bubbled with my parents and DD1 goes to their house for a couple of days a week. None of this alleviates my feelings of frustration.

@zootrop I can understand your frustration. From the sounds of it, it’s only for a couple of weeks though so it really could be worse.

It really is shit isn't it?

This week I am having a bit of respite as it's half term so no home schooling but I am dreading next week already. It's audit week and I need to be on call all the time, meetings and calls will be ad hoc (even scheduled meetings can be hard). I will also be "teaching" a 8 and 6 year old and have a 3you disabled toddler in the mix.

It is daunting and depressing.

Before anyone asks - DP is self employed so asking him to take the week off means he'd lose a weeks salary and probably a client.

It sucks!

It sure does @Crunchymum . My OH works face to face role so out all week, my job is healthcare , I answer a clinical helpline for 12.5 hours . I am pregnant too so and to top it off toddler has woke up around 4 am for the day 3 out of 5 nights when he normally seems pretty well. Oh the joys :)

I think some of these responses are on the harsh side. 2 is such a difficult age without pandemic. You will survive op cause you have to. That's not to say it's not hard. Nobody can measure anyone else's misery.

Sounds rough @Crunchymum it is so frustrating isn't it :(

I think its best to just take each day as it comes and hold onto the thought it isn't forever!

(please God don't let it go on much longer!!)

Life with little ones is super tough at the moment. I have 2 preschoolers. One with SEN. Both me and husband are wfh and taking it in turns to have the children. He works mornings and weekends. I work afternoons and evenings. We currently don't send the DC to preschool

I know we shouldn't compete over who has it worse, but this isn't really that bad. Gently, I think you need some perspective here.

Consider the alternative - there's your answer.

You COULD just put him in his cot and shut the bedroom door so you can have your DR appointment in peace for 10 minutes.

Your child will survive, even if he screams ..because that's what he's doing anyway, right?

@2bazookas I am not sure how long it will last. I have to have security check then enter a virtual waiting room, it is with the consultant video call. I would feel quite stressed with my toddler screaming in the background

Just normal toddler behaviour really, pandemic or no pandemic. You'll survive just like all the mothers before you.

@judgingcat I know I will survive . Pre pandemic I would have gone to my appointment alone . No one can look after him he is self isolating and partner is unable to get the time off work. I just think this is a shit way of living . I also am sick of working from home having my personal home invaded for 12.5 hours and waking my toddler up whilst on calls

you’re being a bit dramatic

@gnashingsalt I am . I'm just fed up

Think you are over reacting . Everyone is in the same boat, I have 3 kids to contend with. You have 2 adults and 1 toddler.

In the nicest possible way you sound quite spoiled, i have 3 children under 6 and a partner who works away for weeks at a time. Im trying to home school the 5yr old whilst entertaining the 2 and 4yr old. That includes keeping the younger 2 quiet during live learning sessions. Even pre pandemic if i had a hospital appointment i generally had to take 1 or 2 children with me including to several gynea appointments.

Its not a competition of who has it worse because its shit for everyone in different ways but your use of phrases like 'how can i survive this" are pretty dramatic.

Also im not sure many parents are currently getting a break at the moment so not sure you will get much sympathy with your last line.

Isolation isnt long then you can go back to putting your child into nursery whilst the rest of us carry on trying to homeschool and work and look after toddlers, youll survive OP just like the rest of us.