to ask for help with what to do with toddler DS this afternoon (I am close to a panic attack)

[pregnantncnc]

I've struggled with anxiety for over a decade. It has been very well managed for the last few years, but today I feel like I'm absolutely drowning in it. I don't know why (e.g. no accidental caffeine, no alcohol in the last month, no binge of preservative filled food, no major events coming up, house isn't a complete bomb site - my usual triggers). It has been building all week and my usual routines to calm me down haven't worked.

DS is 18 months old. He's napping at the moment but will wake up soon and I have no idea how I am going to get through this afternoon with him while I feel like this. DS is struggling too as I'm not as present as I usually am as I keep zoning out, so he was already getting frustrated and shouty this morning. He isn't the type of toddler to happily watch TV unless he's unwell. We don't know anyone where we live, not well enough that I'd want them to see me like this anyway. My family are over an hour away and DH has the car at work so I can't go to them (and he HAS to work late tonight so won't be back before bedtime). My friends are all at work.

So it is just me and DS.

I need engaging activities for DS that require minimal input from me. Anything. Even obvious things. My brain isn't working right now to think of these things for myself. I just tried googling and everything seemed so complicated. I don't mind making a mess and we have a garden.

Really grateful for any help! Thank you.

Some excellent ideas here
I hope you are feeling much better now @pregnantncnc

How are you doing OP?

When mine were this sort of age their favourite game was "Hose"

We used to go in the garden turn the hose on (not too hard - more of a dribble) and play with water. They used to water the plants, the driveway, themselves, me and they loved it. Have a nice warm bath ready in case they get cold and then it's pyjamas, tea and bed

Hope you feel better soon

I cannot thank you enough for all of these ideas. I'm so grateful and have been putting a lot of them to use over the past few days. I am feeling MUCH calmer today thankfully. We go to a forest school playgroup on a Monday and the group leader was really kind and helpful, she took DS for 15m at the end of the session and told me to lay in the hammock and stare at the trees and do nothing else. It was bloody lovely.

Good morning @pregnantncnc
What a lovely update! And how kind of the group leader.
My very best wishes to you

You've probably done this already but if not, contact your local Sure Starts. They have stuff going on through the holidays, and they are also in touch with outside agencies who run sports activities etc. All totally free! We make use of them and do whatever we can!