To feel this much dread at the thought of 2 days with my own child?

[Maeberegret]

Feel awful but don’t know wtf to do. I’m 39 weeks pregnant and really, really struggling with 2 yo. I didn’t think I’d struggle this much. I can’t get to the groups I’d normally go to, can’t get to the park or walk to feed ducks.

We can sort of muddle through the mornings but by 2 in the afternoon just so fed up.

I know more TV at a time like this isn’t the end of the world but he’s already watching too much and won’t just watch all day iyswim. And I think it’s affecting behaviour. Has anyone got any suggestions? Don’t know anyone who could get to us.

Paint the house/shed/rocks.......Give him a paint brush and water!

Chalk drawings, then hose them away.

Oof, the last weeks of pregnancy with a toddler can be brutal!

If you have mum friends, now is a good time to arrange some play dates so they (hopefully) take pity on you and do some of the running around for you. I also used to prepare a couple of easy activities the night before so I could whip them out when I wanted to put my feet up for a bit (there are millions online.. my DS really enjoyed sticking reusable stickers on the patio door).

Apart from that, leave as much housework to your DH as possible and get as much rest on the evenings/weekends as possible.

As weird as it sounds, it’s easier once the baby is here .

If you need to just use nursery. Don't feel guilty - it's for a very short time. 2 is such a difficult age as most activities need a lot of input. Slightly younger or older is easier. If you have lots of garden toys then leave him to it as much as possible. Once you have a new baby you won't be able to do as much with him so he may as well get used to it now

I was SO miserable when pregnant with my 2yo - was anaemic and she’s hyper now at 7, let alone as a toddler. felt unable to do hardly anything fun with her - watched so much peppa pig!
can you taxi it to a stay and a play? just sit on your bum drinking tea and let him play in a church hall.
if not more nursery not the worst idea for the last few weeks, but if he’s quite clingy he’s probably already picking up on the change and might be more clingy!
All I can say is it’s SO much better with a newborn than heavily pregnant, even after 3 hours sleep and a c-section. the pregnancy drain is so different. Not very helpful but just tick those days off

I think it's perfectly ok for him to go to nursery more days at this stage. He'll be happy, you'll be able to relax. Win / win as far as I'm concerned.

He's 2. 2 year olds are hard work! Lots of energy, lots of mobility, zero common sense and zero safety awareness... exhausting!

I'd definitely see if nursery can take him another 2 days if you can afford it and if he enjoys nursery.
When you have the baby it'll be handy to have him in there for the 5 days for a couple of weeks til you get sorted.
You can reduce it once the baby has some sort of routine.

Oh goodness yes more nursery is good at this stage. I remember my leg muscle froze up in the supermarket at 39 weeks!

For baths put a big plastic bowl with soapy water and plastic toys in the bathtub and let him sit next to it and play wash them. Then rinse off and time for bed. Reserve those specific toys only for bath time.

OP - book the nursery for a few more days and don’t feel bad about it.
Last summer I was due with DD, and my DS was 3 turning 4. I enrolled him in a holiday swimming camp for the mornings because I just couldn’t cope. I would drop him off, go home and sleep for 2 hours before going to pick him up. It kept me sane in those last few weeks of pregnancy.
Now I’ve got the 2 DC aged nearly 1 and 5, it’s much easier to take care of them on my own. In fact, I really enjoy it.
Good luck in your final week!

Also - Gosh yes if nursery will have him 100% put him in for extra. I think the routine of nursery does them good during the arrival of a new sibling too.

You have him In nursery 3 days a week already. You will have a new baby to distract you soon so why don’t you cherish these last little moments with just you and your son. Bake some cakes, do some drawing plant some plants anything! Cause you won’t get these moments back!!

I don’t remember the end of pg 2 as cake baking time, I’m sure @Maeberegret has had plenty of quality moments before now.

OP is heavily pregnant and in a lot of pain. Don't think it's the time for baking cakes.

Go with the TV if there are programs he likes, or DVDs, it won't hurt for a while. Is he up to simple computer games? They can be great. Painting, play dough, I know a mess. Toys, bricks, cars, trains, any friends for play dates? If you have a garden sand pit, play pool, swing.

What actually happens if he's a bit bored? I'd get a big roll of paper, some big cardboard boxes, anything for easy art. Do some basic baking. Have a carpet picnic. Hide some new toys.

But also, it will pass, just keep deep breathing.

Or yes just use nursery.

No family at all? Is it the same for DH, what about your in-laws? I'm sure someone can help even if they have to fly over from another country. You need people now and when you have the new baby. Don't be afraid to ask.

TV. Tablets. Films. Music. I'm 36 weeks and no longer able to take my 4yo out and about; I'm too poorly, uncomfortable and in pain to go any sort of a distance. A week or so of tv with a few runabouts in the garden and your DH taking him
Out when he can will be absolutely fine and not hurt him.

PIL would help in an absolute dire emergency but they’d never class me in pain as an emergency. Emergency would be north DH and I in hospital or something.

I think I’ve managed to sort one of the days as we can get to our regular group and then to a friends. The other day is looming over me a bit I must admit!

Your 39 weeks pregnant. At 39 weeks pregnant everything was an unbearable chore!

Hang in there